A Merry Little Murder Read online

  Lacey was next. Her mom handed her a simple white envelope with her name on it. She was surprised. Usually her mother was one for extravagant gifts. She had absolutely no idea what to expect.

  “Go ahead and open it,” her mother said.

  She did so, and gasped when she saw what was inside. It was a document stating that she owned half of the Pine Tree Diner.

  “Mom? Dad?”

  “We know how much you love the diner,” her mother said. “Your father decided to give you his half of the diner this Christmas. I still have to make some arrangements, but by your wedding I hope to have my half of the business signed over to you as well. Assuming you decide not to fire your old mother, I’ll keep working there as long as possible, but this way you’ll have an assurance for the future. You always have the diner to fall back on, and to come home to.”

  “Thank you so much,” Lacey said, leaning forward to hug both of her parents. “I love both of you. I hope you know how much this – all of this – means to me. This town, this house, the diner… this will always be my first home. I love our family traditions, Mom’s cookies, and of course, all of you. All three of you on the most important people in the world to me.” She reached out to take Chris’s hand. “There’s nowhere else I would rather be for Christmas than here.”

  Also by Patti Benning

  Papa Pacelli’s Series

  Book 1: Pall Bearers and Pepperoni

  Book 2: Bacon Cheddar Murder

  Book 3: Very Veggie Murder

  Book 4: Italian Wedding Murder

  Book 5: Smoked Gouda Murder

  Book 6: Gourmet Holiday Murder

  Book 7: Four Cheese Murder

  Book 8: Hand Tossed Murder

  Book 9: Exotic Pizza Murder

  Book 10: Fiesta Pizza Murder

  Book 11: Garlic Artichoke Murder

  Book 12: On the Wings of Murder

  Book 13: Mozzarella and Murder

  Book 14: A Thin Crust of Murder

  Book 15: Pretzel Pizza Murder

  Book 16: Parmesan Pizza Murder

  Book 17: Breakfast Pizza Murder

  Book 18: Halloween Pizza Murder

  Book 19: Thanksgiving Pizza Murder

  Book 20: Christmas Pizza Murder

  Book 21: A Crispy Slice of Murder

  Book 22: Lobster Pizza Murder

  Book 23: Pizza, Weddings, and Murder

  Book 24: Pizza, Paradise, and Murder

  Book 25: Meat Lovers and Murder

  Book 26: Classic Crust Murder

  Book 27: Hot, Spicy Murder

  Book 28: Pork, Pizza, and Murder

  Book 29: Chicken Alfredo Murder

  Book 30: Jalapeño Pizza Murder

  Book 31: Pesto Pizza Murder

  Book 32: Sweet Chili Murder

  Darling Deli Series

  Book 1: Pastrami Murder

  Book 2: Corned Beef Murder

  Book 3: Cold Cut Murder

  Book 4: Grilled Cheese Murder

  Book 5: Chicken Pesto Murder

  Book 6: Thai Coconut Murder

  Book 7: Tomato Basil Murder

  Book 8: Salami Murder

  Book 9: Hearty Homestyle Murder

  Book 10: Honey BBQ Murder

  Book 11: Beef Brisket Murder

  Book 12: Garden Vegetable Murder

  Book 13: Spicy Lasagna Murder

  Book 14: Curried Lobster Murder

  Book 15: Creamy Casserole Murder

  Book 16: Grilled Rye Murder

  Book 17: A Quiche to Die For

  Book 18: A Side of Murder

  Book 19: Wrapped in Murder

  Book 20: Glazed Ham Murder

  Book 21: Chicken Club Murder

  Book 22: Pies, Lies and Murder

  Book 23: Mountains, Marriage and Murder

  Book 24: Shrimply Murder

  Book 25: Gazpacho Murder

  Book 26: Peppered with Murder

  Book 27: Ravioli Soup Murder

  Book 28: Thanksgiving Deli Murder

  Book 29: A Season of Murder

  Book 30: Valentines and Murder

  Book 31: Shamrocks and Murder

  Book 32: Sugar Coated Murder

  Book 33: Murder, My Darling

  Killer Cookie Series

  Book 1: Killer Caramel Cookies

  Book 2: Killer Halloween Cookies

  Book 3: Killer Maple Cookies

  Book 4: Crunchy Christmas Murder

  Book 5: Killer Valentine Cookies

  Asheville Meadows Series

  Book 1: Small Town Murder

  Book 2: Murder on Aisle Three

  Book 3: The Heart of Murder

  Book 4: Dating is Murder

  Book 5: Dying to Cook

  Book 6: Food, Family and Murder

  Book 7: Fish, Chips and Murder

  Book 8: Deathly Ever After

  Cozy Tails of Alaska

  Book 1: Mushing is Murder

  Book 2: Murder Befalls Us

  Author’s Note

  I’d love to hear your thoughts on my books, the storylines, and anything else that you’d like to comment on—reader feedback is very important to me. My contact information, along with some other helpful links, is listed below. If you’d like to be on my list of “folks to contact” with updates, release and sales notifications, etc.… just shoot me an email and let me know. Thanks for reading!

  Also…

  … if you’re looking for more great reads, I am proud to announce that Summer Prescott Books publishes several popular series by Cozy authors Gretchen Allen and Patti Benning, as well as Carolyn Q. Hunter, Blair Merrin, Susie Gayle and more!

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