Happiness for H: A Christmas to Remember
December 18, 2008"You made this a Christmas to remember,
springtime feelings in the middle of December.
'Neath the mistletoe, you kissed me warm and tender,
Oh, oh what a Christmas to remember."
Grandma Estin smiled as she watched her granddaughter wrap the caramels at the kitchen island. Emily was much more her old self, singing along to her favorite Kenny & Dolly Christmas album, swaying in time to the music as she wrapped the 200 or so handmade caramels in red and green waxed paper.
Noticing that there was a fresh pot of Emily's favorite Holiday Peppermint coffee on the warmer, Grandma Estin found a Christmas motif mug and poured herself some, adding a healthy dose of Bailey's for good measure. Emily didn't look up from her task, but asked,
"A little early for that surely, Grandma?"
"It's past noon. What's on the agenda for this afternoon?"
"I thought I would take Ghost out for a walk. It's a lovely day and he's missed his walks the last few days. I haven't seen him for a couple of hours. Usually he's in the kitchen as soon as he hears me walk out here."
"I saw him in with Horatio a little while ago, getting his ears scratched."
"Girls' best friend." Emily grinned.
The sound of a car pulling into the back of the driveway caused both women to look up.
"Oh, it's Josh. I'm sure he wants to tell me all about the meeting last night."
"Emily, why don't you take a break and bring Horatio a cup of coffee, I'm sure he could use a break as well."
"Okaaaay, Grandma." Emily poured two mugs of coffee, put them on a tray, and added the bottle of Baileys. "Let me know when it's safe to come out." She said with a grin as she left the room. She had just reached the office when she heard Josh's knock on the back door. There were several more before she heard her grandmother answer.
She was grinning when she entered the office and stopped at the scene before her. Ghost lay contentedly at Horatio's feet as he worked on her laptop.
"Grandma thought you might like a break." He looked up and smiled.
"That would be nice. Are you joining me?" he asked noticing the two steaming mugs.
"Er.. yes, Grandma practically shooed me out of the kitchen when she saw Josh was approaching. What's going on with him, Horatio? He's an old friend, surely you're not jealous? Bailey's?" she asked.
Grandma Estin had let Josh knock several more times, before she left her task with the caramels and went to the door.
"Hello, Grandma Estin. May I speak to Emily?"
"Oh, Josh, I'm sorry, Emily's not available," she said opening the door an arms width.
"Her car is here."
"Well yes, but she is busy at the moment. I'm sure she can get in touch with you later." The blond man stuck his foot in the open door.
"No, I want to see her now, I know she's here. Why are you keeping her from seeing me?"
Emily was sipping her coffee, waiting for Horatio to explain about Josh.
"Just how well do you know him, Emily?" he asked, blowing on the steaming mug.
She shrugged.
"We've been friends since grade school. He and Kevin were best friends. When Kevin died, he came around quite a bit to help out and lend a shoulder to cry on."
"Are you sure? Did he ever … " Horatio hesitated on how to phrase the rest of the question. "Did he ever give any indication he wanted something more?" he finally said.
"NO!" Emily shook her head. "We are just friends. That's all it's ever been Horatio." She couldn't resist adding, "Surely you're not jealous?"
"No," Horatio said quietly. "Just worried. Emily, I don't know how to tell you this." He looked down at his coffee. "We think he may be the one that set up the warning to you and the attack on me."
Emily almost dropped her coffee. "You can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid I am." Ghost chose that moment to lift his head, tilt it to one side and give a low growl, his lips curling up to show large white canine fangs. Horatio looked at him and they both became aware of a man's raised voice coming from the kitchen.
"Josh!" Emily said and put her cup down. "Ghost doesn't like him very much, never has actually, even as a puppy. I better go see what's going on. Grandma may have bit off more than she can chew."
"I like that dog more and more. Emily, I'm coming with you."
"No, Horatio. Let me go see him. He probably wants to tell me what went on at the meeting last night. I'll make sure he stays in the kitchen and Ghost can come with me." She got up and called her pet, quickly walking out of the office.
She entered the kitchen, a silent, but watchful, Ghost by her side. Though he didn't growl, she knew he was lifting his lips at Josh, judging by the apprehensive look on the man's face.
"Hi Josh, Grandma. I was just finishing up in the office. I'm sorry I missed the meeting." She sat down at the kitchen island, Ghost by her side.
"Hi Emily. I was just trying to tell your grandmother, I need to talk to you."
"Of course, is everything still on as planned or has there been a last minute addition?"
Her grandmother left the door and went back to her task of wrapping the caramels.
"No, no. Everything is as it usually is. I was wondering Emily if we could talk privately?" his voice was almost belligerent.
Before she could answer, a voice came from over her shoulder.
"Emily, are we going to take Ghost for that walk? Oh, I'm sorry, am I … interrupting?" Horatio asked. Emily almost laughed at the expression of relief on her grandmother's face. Ghost left his mistress's side and walked over to Horatio. Never taking his eyes off Josh, the big white dog bumped his head against Horatio's hand, asking for a pet.
"No, I was just leaving." Josh looked from Horatio, to Grandma Estin, to Emily. "I'll see you at the rehearsal then on Monday, Emily." He turned and went out the door, letting it slam shut behind him with a bang. A huge sigh of relief came from Grandma Estin.
"Wonderful timing, Horatio!"
Serious blue eyes met wide apprehensive hazel ones and he said,
"Let's take Ghost for that walk Emily, then we need to talk."
TBC