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Christmas is Coming

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Trimble’s Christmas

Trimble’s Gift: Christmas Miracles (Christmas Love Book 1) – Kindle edition by Mary A Russell. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBoo

Trimble's Gift: Christmas Miracles (Christmas Love Book 1) by [Mary A Russell]

This heartwarming tale of Christmas, love, mystery, miracles and romance, portrays a relationship between a sensitive loving father and a hurting child. Trimble works his way into your heart and leaves you smiling in the end.

Five star review from a reader:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spirit of Christmas Love Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2020 Verified Purchase A heart warming quick read with so much heart. Recommended feel good book. Pick up this holiday book any time if the year!

Cover of Darkness, part 10

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Edward jumped from his chair moving swiftly from the library and out the front door. He stepped onto the porch, raising his voice, “Wait a minute, you two.”

John and Preston stopped and turned around.Eugenia watched from the library window as her husband approached them.Preston twisted his lips, “Great, now what?”

Their voices were loud enough that the kids could hear every word.

Edward was soon in front of them. He looked down at Preston showing the whites of his eyes, “What were you two doing here?”John spoke while Preston grinned, “I don’t think it’s any of your business, we were here to see Opal not you.” He held Edwards stare.

Edward grabbed Preston by the shoulder, and at the same time pulled back his fist. Preston shook free of his hold, stepped back a couple paces at the same time reaching inside his coat.

Cassie sucked in her breath, “Oh…no!” She stood screaming as the shot rang out echoing in Fisher’s ears.

Surprised, the men jerked their heads toward the bushes where the kids were now standing.

Edward lay crumbled on the ground, holding his side, moaning, writhing in pain.

“You shouldn’t mess with me Edward,” Preston shouted, running toward the car. They hopped in and sped down the driveway.

Fisher was running, screaming, “Dad, Dad.”

“No no!” Eugenia put her hand over her mouth frantically running from the room and down the steps screaming, “Edward, Edward.” Rushing down the walk she feel on her knees next to him, tears streaming like a river down her cheeks.

Cassie and Lulu ran to Mrs. Fentwood, putting their arms around her trying to comfort her.As blood gushed from his side, Eugenia placed her hand on the wound.

Edward opened and closed his eyes, rolling his head from side to side, trying to breathe while Fisher cradled him in his arms.

“Fisher I’ll get your sister.” In the house Clint raced toward the library yelling, “Opal! Opal,” he picked up the phone next to Edwards leather chair and dialed 911.

Opal rushed into the room, “What are you yelling about Clint?”

“Your dad, is out there laying on the sidewalk, your mom and Fisher are with him.”

Opal bolted for the door. Running toward her mom holding her dad’s hand.

A pool of blood was forming around Edwards back and side, it was starting to run down the side walk. Fisher held his dad, “Dad, you’re going to be okay.”

By this time Fishers jeans were becoming soaked with blood.

Edward moaned, “Eugenia I love you,” moving his head from side to side, opening and closing his eyes.

Eugenia, patted his hand, “I will always love you Edward,” looking down at him with her best smile.

Fisher pressed his hand on top of his mom’s trying to stop the bleeding. Tears ran down his cheeks and dropped onto his dad’s shirt sleeve. “I love you Dad.”

Clint raced passed Opal as he bounded down the steps yelling, “The ambulance and police are almost here.”

Opal suddenly slowed within a few feet of them. She couldn’t believe her eyes, Cassie and Lulu were huddled around her mother and brother who were on their knees trying to comfort her father. She glanced up to see the car at the end of the driveway turn right. Just as the ambulance and police sirens with lights blaring turned into the drive and sped toward the house.Opal elbowed her way between Cassie and Lulu, kneeling down, she put her arm around her mom, “What in the world happened?”

Fisher raised his head staring at her through blinding tears. His hate filled blue eyes gave her a chill, “Your friends shot Dad, that’s what happened.”

Opal sucked in a hard breath casting her eyes away from Fisher, “Mother, Dad will be okay.”

Eugenia holding Edwards hand glanced at Opal and back to Edward, “I know dear, I keep telling him that.”

For a brief second their attention was on the ambulance and police car pulling up to the sidewalk. The medics jumped out leaving the doors open, one ran to the scene while the other one opened the back doors and pulled the gurney out.

Cassie and Lulu moved back to let them work on Mr. Fentwood, they stared in silence. Clint walked over to Fisher who stood to let the medics work on his dad. “Your dad will be alright.”Fisher wiped the tears edging from his eyes with his jacket sleeve, “I hope so.” He reached down trying to brush the blood from his jeans.

The policemen rushed in, “What happened here?”

After Fisher related the story to them they put out an APB on Preston and John, then sealed off the scene.

The medic glanced up at Eugenia, “We’re going to rush him to the hospital.” They loaded him onto the stretcher and into the ambulance, sirens blaring as they pulled away.

Opal pulled up in her car, “Everyone get in, I’ll drive us to the emergency room,” she barked at the kids. She got out and ran around the car opening the front passenger door, “Here Mother let me help you.”

“Thank you dear.”

Setting in the back seat of Opal’s expensive car the teens were silent until Opal made eye contact with her brother in the rear view mirror, “Fisher, what were you guys doing outside? I thought you were downtown studying at Muzzey’s?”

“We were just coming home from town when we saw Dad and the two men talking out front so we stopped behind the bushes to listen.”

Cassie and Lulu made eye contact, with Clint who shrugged.

They pulled up behind the ambulance at the hospital and bailed out of the car following the stretcher wheeling Edward into a room, the nurse stopped them, and pulled the certain closed.

“You’ll have to stay out here in the waiting room. We will call you when we know anything.” The nurse gave them a sympathetic smile.

The waiting-room was empty, Fisher was glad for that.

Opal took a seat next to her mom. She reached over and took her mother’s hand rubbing it, trying to comfort her, “Dad will be alright, he’s been through worse than this before,” knowing in her heart that he wasn’t going to be.

Fisher, Lulu, Clint and Cassie sat on the bench staring at the curtain, waiting for someone to come out and tell them he would be as good as new in no time. But Fisher knew deep down in his soul that things just weren’t right.

They sat in silence. Waiting…….

Months later.

Mrs.Fentwood encouraged Fisher, who was broken hearted at the loss of his father, to go off to Yale at the beginning of the Fall season. Clint went to Princeton and Cassie and Lulu went on to Harvard.

The End, or maybe just the beginning of a new mystery novel, coming soon.

Thank you for traveling with me.

 

 

 

Cover of Darkness, part 9

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Fisher, Clint, Cassie and Lulu in unison stepped half in and half out of the shadow of the house, they didn’t want to miss one word. They were all in shock and unbelief at what they were seeing and hearing. Preston looked like a nasty cartoon character and then watching Opal facing down long tall John.

Cassie whispered in Clint’s ear, “This is almost like watching a movie.”

Clint put his arm around her, “Yes, a scary movie. But I’ll keep you safe.”

John shoved the envelope in Preston’s directions, “Put this in your valise where it will be safe,” and at the same time he held up his brief case in front of Opal. “It’s all in there, count it.”

She jerked the case from John’s hand, setting it down so hard on the table, the thud rattled the coffee cups. She snapped the latches and lifted the top. Her eyes lit up, “Wow, nice.” She started to count the stacks of green bills.

John stared at her while she counted the money. “Is this coffee for us?”

“Help yourself,” Opal quipped as she counted. She didn’t look up as John poured a cup.

“Preston,” John said with a sly grin, “We are going to be rich by midnight tonight.”

A nasty look filled Preston’s face, while he placed the envelope in the satchel he was holding. “It’s safe with me.” He rolled his frog eyes in Opal’s direction nodding while chewing gum. Each time he swallowed his protruding Adam’s apple moved up and down his long neck like a yo-yo.

Opal glanced up at him and shivered, then cleared her throat, “It’s all here,” she snapped the latches closed, and patted the top of the case. “I guess our business is concluded, so, good-bye gentlemen.” She pointed to the door.

“Not so fast Opal,” John wagged his finger at her, “Opal, Opal…it wouldn’t be healthy for you to have said anything to your dad.”

“My dad knows nothing about this.” She put her hands on her hips. “Now it’s time for you two, to leave.”

Preston looked in her direction, “You’re in it too deep now Opal. You can’t get out. At least not alive. He fingered his gun. So if you want to see the ripe old age of twenty-nine I would advise you to keep your mouth.”

The kids jerked their heads away from the window and moved back into the shadows as the men turned in their direction. Henry leaped down on the ground landing at the kids feet. Pulling deeper into the shadows, the kids held their breath, and remained motionless.

Froggy raced toward the window, “Did you see that? It looked like someone was out there.” His head bobbed from side to side, he strained to see into the night.

Opal moved close to the window, “Henry jumped down when you two turned around, that is probably what you saw.”

“I hope that is it and not your nosey brother and his friends snooping around.” The malicious tone in Preston’s voice was chilling.

A shiver shook Opal’s body, “I’m sure Fisher and his little friends are doing their home-work downtown at Muzzey’s.

Preston spun around and headed toward the door, “Come on John I’ve had enough of this.”

Edward who was listening through the crack in the door, spotted Preston advancing toward him, whirled around and headed in the direction of the library.

“Follow me guys,” Fisher whispered, “We need to get out of hear.”

Crouching, the teens waddled like ducks behind the bushes, stopping at the front corner of the house shielded by an overgrown juniper pine, where they had a good view of the black car parked in front of the house. The two men rushed out the front door crossed the porch and down the steps.

They were almost to the car when Edward stepped out the front door, raising his voice, “Wait a minute, you two.” John and Preston stopped and turned.

To be continued: Thank you for traveling with me.

Cover of Darkness, part 8

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Me murder mystery night books review me

Nodding with a half-smile, “I’m all for getting down to business.” Opal took two steps back. A cold stare filled her eyes, as she turned with a nod, “Preston. I’m glad to see you.”

His froggy eyes looked beyond her to the window, “I see you still have that strange cat. Why would you be glad to see me?” He bobbed his head.

Opal raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, “Why Preston, you know the old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. By the way Henry’s not strange, he just senses when certain people aren’t to be trusted.”

Preston didn’t try to hide the leer filling his face as he stared her down. “At least you know where you stand with me.”

Opal turned handing John the envelope she had retrieved from the safe just before they arrived. “Here is what you paid for.”

The white…

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Cover of Darkness, part 8

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Nodding with a half-smile, “I’m all for getting down to business.” Opal took two steps back. A cold stare filled her eyes, as she turned with a nod, “Preston. I’m glad to see you.”

His froggy eyes looked beyond her to the window, “I see you still have that strange cat. Why would you be glad to see me?” He bobbed his head.

Opal raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, “Why Preston, you know the old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. By the way Henry’s not strange, he just senses when certain people aren’t to be trusted.”

Preston didn’t try to hide the leer filling his face as he stared her down. “At least you know where you stand with me.”

Opal turned handing John the envelope she had retrieved from the safe just before they arrived. “Here is what you paid for.”

The white haired man slipped it from her fingers. Pulling the top open he stared down inside at the contents, motionless and silent for a few seconds. The incredulous tone in his voice caught Opal’s attention. He glanced over at her, “This is it?” His disbelief filled the room.

Opal moved closer to John, “Yes, everything is there, all twelve pieces.”

He jerked his head up in a stark stare, “I thought we were to get twenty, not twelve.”

Her eyes grew large, “Twelve pieces is all we agreed to. I have the letter in my desk that you signed. Do you need to see it again?”

Preston slid his hand inside his coat and pulled out a gun, “I say we just kill her and take what we want. Then I’ll kill that stupid looking cat once and for all.”

The kids sucked in their breath and took a step closer to the window.

John moved between Opal and Preston, “That’s enough Preston, put that thing away.”

Preston grimaced and slid the gun back inside his coat at the same time rolling his eyes in the direction of the cat.

John’s voice softened as he turned, “Opal, we are paying you a lot of money. I think you should just put in eight extra pieces for old times’ sake.”

In one swift movement Opal was on her toes, nose to nose, with John, standing resolute and unswerving, “Now you listen real good John, twelve is all you’re getting, and I want all the credit for the inventions of this weapon. I’m not sharing the lime light with my father.”

Preston’s face hardened, “Don’t push your luck Opal.”

John held her gaze, “So you want us to tell Wy Ling at the Chinese consulate, that you are the inventor and the one selling them?”

Opal blurted out, “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh…wouldn’t I? Opal, I think the word for it is treason,” John raided an eyebrow, “You’re the one who set this in motion, now we are fulfilling our part. You will have to protect yourself, somehow.”

“Treason.” Fisher mouthed the words, in Clint’s direction.

To be continued: Thanks for traveling with me.

Cover of Darkness, part 7

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Opal’s mother was fussing in the library, “Edward I’m so glad you could spend the day with me it was an enjoyable time. Going out to eat at my favorite breakfast spot. Then the long walk in the park. Yes, it was a perfect day. And now to spend the evening together. What more could I ask for?” A smile of satisfaction lit up her face. Eugenia in her late forties petite and regal, with feline honey eyes, quiet, discreet and soft spoken had met Edward while working as a core intelligence collection analyst for the CIA, after they married she quit working, and stayed home to keep house and raise children. Opal came first, then ten years later Fisher surprised them.

Closing the book he was reading he glanced up from his scarred leather chair positioned in front of the oversized fireplace. He watched as the flames crackled and hissed, dancing around and consuming the logs, radiating heat that warmed all the nooks and crannies of their large library, chasing away the dampness of a frigid day. A pleasant smile brightened his eyes, he pulled the pipe from his lips and held it in his hand, “Ah…Eugenia it was a fun day, relaxing for a change.” Edward a tall good looking man, caught Eugenia’s eye the first time she passed him in the hallway of the building they were working in. He nodded and smiled as they walked in opposite directions. The rest is history.

Eugenia strolled around the floor-to-ceiling thirty year collection of books, many of them first editions, that filled the oak shelves of their spacious reading room as she called it. Closing her eyes, she breathed deep, filling her lungs with the smell of cherry tobacco from his meerschaum pipe. The two of them relished their alone time, quietly appreciating the presence of each other in the same room. At the fireplace she repositioned the intricately carved ivory box occupying the center spot on the wide mantle. “Edward, does Fisher use this anymore?”

He glanced up to see what she was referring to, “Once in a while when he thinks no one is looking, I’ll see him put stamps and papers in it.”

“Good. I’m glad he makes use of it.” She moved to the window over-looking the winding driveway and stared out, it was almost night.

“Eugenia, why don’t you pull a good book off one of those shelves, and I’ll slide a chair next to mine, so we can enjoy the fire together while reading?” He stood to retrieve a chair from across the room.

In a pleasant, dismissive voice, “I promised Opal I would watch for John and Preston to come, and let them in and bring them back to the laboratory.” Her raised eyebrows said it all to Edward.

He flashed her a dark scowl as he sat back down, “If only she wasn’t dealing with those two, they’re dangerous men. They would sell their own souls for the right amount of money, and they wouldn’t care who they put in danger doing it.”

A sweet confidence filled her voice, “Edward. Opal has worked many hours to finish this project, and for her it’s been a long time coming. Now she is anxious to be paid for all her hard work.”

Dismayed that Eugenia hid that piece of information. “Oh…and how do you know that? She didn’t say anything to me about a private plan she was working on. It’s hard to believe she would jeopardize her job that way.” Eugenia and Opal were not aware that he had accidently over-heard Opal talking to John on the phone about the project and what it involved.

She looked away, “I think I’ve said too much, you will have to talk to Opal.”

He stood pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace as he spoke, “You can bet I will. Later tonight her and I will have a little talk. This is an untenable situation.”

In the sweetest voice she could muster, “Now, Edward, just calm down, it can’t be all that bad.”

He resented her comment, “With John and Preston involved in this project it’s a sure sign there’s going to be trouble. Opal knows the CIA will fire her if she’s caught selling anything she created. There policy is and always has been everything you invent or create while you are working for them belongs to them, whether you make it on your own time or there time.

Her voice grew defensive, “What do you mean trouble, they seem like such nice young men, a little different than most people, but they seem nice enough.”

A thick crease shaped his eyebrows, “Seem, is the important word Eugenia. Didn’t you ever notice Preston’s froggy eyes, and John’s overly pale skin. They work for people who have shady backgrounds. Those two are not nice they would sell their own mothers for a couple of dollars, but I doubt that Preston ever had a mother, I think he was hatched.”

“Now Edward, that’s not a nice thing to say, everyone has a mother.”

He mumbled to himself as he sat down and turned back to his book, “No, it’s not nice, but it’s true.”

Eugenia waved him off with a sigh and continued to stand watch. Every now and again she cocked her head like a watchful sparrow, and glanced out the windows. Then about the time the street lights started to flip on one by one up broad street hill halting at Windermere Lane, she spotted headlights turning into the driveway. “Oh, dear,” She mumbled, rushing to the laboratory she poked her head around the door, “Opal, there coming up the drive now.”

Turning from the window Opal walked toward the table, “Thanks Mother, will you let them in and bring them back here?”

“Yes dear.” As Eugenia strolled down the hall the door-bell sounded.

Hearing the chimes Fisher whispered, “Heads up guys, sounds like Opal’s visitors have arrived.” In unison they inched closer to the window to watch, while staying in the shadows. Fisher was forever hanging around Opal trying her patience, hunting a good mystery for his gang, The Bow Street Runners, (a famous group of young people in London, England in the seventeen hundreds, who worked as amateur detectives doing the investigating for the police before Scotland Yard was created) to solve. Opal waving her arms shoo, shooing him away when she’d catch him listening in on her phone calls and while she was meeting with clients. Opal, considered Fisher a kid who was too young to understand the importance of the work she was doing.

“Opal is in here,” Eugenia waved the two men through the door.

The teens moved again into the shadows just far enough not to be seen, but close enough to see and hear everything going on in the room. Henry’s large body helped conceal them.

“Thank you mother,” Opal smiled, nodding at her guests.

“You’re welcome dear, your father and I will be in the library if you need anything.” Eugenia pulled the doors half closed and scurried down the hall.

John gave Opal a questioning look.

Caught off guard, “Why the look?” Opal held his stare.

“You told me not to worry, your father would be out of town. That he would never know we had been here.” His pink eyes held her intense stare as his thick fingers rubbed his face. “Anyway, let’s get down to business and forget the small talk.”

To be continued: Thank you for traveling with me.