Christmas Stalking. Margaret Daley

some togetherness at Christmas.”

      Harold bent forward to pour himself some more coffee. “I just finalized some plans for Christy to start the filming of the first commercial in L.A. next week.”

      Christy glanced at Peter then Harold. “But I’ll be here for Christmas Day, won’t I? It’ll be our first Christmas together.”

      “Yes, but since we’re launching part of the line in February for Valentine’s Day, your time will be very limited.”

      Peter picked up her hand and moved it to his lap. “We’ll work out something,” he said to Christy, his adoring look roping her full attention.

      As Ellie listened to the conversation shift to the launch of Endless Youth, she decided to call Kyra, her employer, and have her look into everyone around Winnie, including Harold Jefferson, who ran the day-to-day operation of Glamour Sensations as the CFO. She’d learned quickly not to take anything for granted, even the person who hired her.

      The threats against Rachel Winfield had started when news of Endless Youth leaked to the press. What was it about that product line that would make someone angry with Winnie? From what Ellie had learned, the development and testing didn’t upset any environmental groups. So did Endless Youth have anything to do with the threats or was its development and launch just a coincidence? Maybe it was a rival cosmetic company. Was the industry that cutthroat? Did this involve an industrial spy?

      She kneaded her hand along her nape, trying to unravel the knots twisting tighter in her neck. Finding the person behind the threats wasn’t her priority—keeping Winnie alive and unharmed was. She needed to leave the rest to the police and Harold’s P.I.

      * * *

      Colt entered the kitchen that gleamed with clean counters, any evidence of a dinner party gone, but the scent of the roast that Linda had cooked still lingered in the room. The Millers did wonders behind the scenes for Winnie and had worked for the family for ten years. He wasn’t sure what his grandmother would do if they decided to look for another job. He didn’t worry about Winnie with Linda and Doug taking care of the property and house.

      He raided the refrigerator to make himself a sandwich with the leftover roast beef. After piling it between slices of Linda’s homemade bread, he turned away from the counter ready to take a bite. But he halted abruptly when he noticed Ellie hovering in the entrance, watching him.

      She blinked and averted her gaze. “I heard a noise and came to check it out. Winnie just went to bed.”

      “She stayed up later than usual, but then when Christy and Harold come to dinner, she usually does. That’s the extent of her entertaining here.”

      “I can see that. She spends most of her day in the lab.”

      “My grandmother is one of the few people in the world who has a ‘nose,’ as they say in the perfume industry. She can distinguish different scents and has a knack for putting them together to complement each other. That comes easy for her. But this new product line is something else, more Granddad’s pet project. I’ll be glad when she finishes and doesn’t have to work so much.”

      Ellie came into the room. “She’s being taken care of. Linda makes sure she eats healthy. Harold doesn’t let her worry about the running of Glamour Sensations, and I do all the little things she has allowed to mount up.”

      “So she can focus on Endless Youth. I can remember when Granddad was alive. Those two talked about the line back then. He had already started the research. Winnie is just finishing up what they began in earnest eight years ago. I think he pushed her to help her recover from her heart attack. She loves a good challenge.” He held up his plate. “I can fix you one.”

      Her chuckles floated through the air. “I think I’ll pass on that. I ate more tonight than I usually do.”

      He put his sandwich on the kitchen table and gestured at a chair beside him. “Join me. I hate eating alone. When you live on a small ship with fifteen others, you’re rarely alone except in your tiny cabin. You would think I would cherish this time.”

      “You don’t?” Ellie slid into the seat next to him.

      He noticed she didn’t wear any fragrance and wondered if Winnie would change that. “I’m used to it so it’s strange when I’m not here. When I’ve come back here, I’ve felt the isolation I never felt while I was growing up here.”

      “Well, it won’t feel isolated too much longer. Winnie has several evening events the closer we get to the holidays.”

      “Let me guess. Most of them have to do with the business.”

      “Yes, and she is the mistress of ceremony at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Bakersville in a few days. This year the town is naming the park after your grandparents.”

      “They’ve been trying to get her to light the Christmas tree for years. I’m glad she finally accepted.”

      A tiny frown made grooves between Ellie’s eyebrows.

      “You aren’t?” Colt asked.

      Her expression evened out. “I’m only concerned she doesn’t wear herself out. She has the big gala for Endless Youth and Christy’s introduction to the press a few days after that.”

      “Yeah, she’s been trying to get me to stay an extra week.”

      “I can understand the demands of work.”

      “Is this job demanding to you? Is the isolation getting to you?”

      “I love the isolation. Remember, I grew up in Chicago where everywhere I turned there were people.”

      “How did you find out about this job?”

      Ellie rose. “I think I’ll fix a cup of tea. Do you want any? Herbal, no caffeine.” She walked to the cabinet where the tea was kept and withdrew a tin of lavender tea.

      “No, thanks.” He waited until she put the water on to boil then continued, “Harold said something about him finding you. How? Chicago is a far piece from here.”

      “Harold knew my former employer. She suggested me for the job.”

      “She let you go?”

      “Not exactly. She knew how much I love the mountains and thought this would be perfect for me.”

      “What did you do at your former job?”

      She laughed. “I feel I’m being interviewed again, but since I already have the job, that isn’t it. So why the interest?”

      “Because I love Winnie and have her best interest at heart.”

      Gripping the counter edge with both hands, Ellie lounged back, except that there was nothing casual about her stance. Something wasn’t right. Colt lived in close quarters and had learned to read people accurately and quickly. It made his life much easier and calmer.

      “What are you hiding, Ellie?”

      THREE

      “What makes you think I’m hiding something?” Ellie busied herself pouring the hot water into a mug and dunking the tea bag.

      “I get the feeling there’s something in your past you don’t like to talk about. If it wasn’t that Harold is thorough when it comes to my grandmother, I would be concerned at your evasiveness.”

      “But Harold is thorough.” She drew herself up straight, cupping her hands around the mug. “I didn’t know full disclosure about all the details of my life was necessary for me to get this job. Winnie seems satisfied. Is this something we should bring up to her?” Lifting her chin, she clamped her jaws together to keep from saying anything else that would get her fired.

      He dipped his head in a curt nod. “Duly noted. Winnie is a great judge of character.”

      Meaning he had his doubts?