Phantom Quartz: A Stacy Justice Witch Mystery Book 6 (Stacy Justice Magical Mysteries) Read Free

the Geraghty Girls Guest House, and normally on the weekends I pop over to the inn to see if Birdie or the aunts need any help.
    Since my cottage is only steps away, I’d be doing just that, but they were likely cooking up something special to bring to Cinnamon’s shower. The party was at the Black Opal, a quick fifteen minute walk, but in case I needed to pick anything up from Angelica’s bakery or cart some gifts home, I decided to drive. My phone was in my bag on the passenger seat, the gift inside, and Thor was stretched across the back seat as I backed out of the long driveway.
    I coasted down the hill and looped the car around to Main Street, trying to find a parking space. This wasn’t the busiest time of the year, but with the lack of snow, more weekenders dotted Main Street than usual. Couples strolled hand in hand pointing out the festive decorations, the holiday lights, and the old fashioned lamp posts draped in red ribbons and fresh garlands. The popcorn shop was packed with a group of skiers stocking up on snacks. Magic Mountain, the resort just outside of town, made their own snow when Mother Nature didn’t cooperate. We passed a street vendor roasting chestnuts, another selling hot cocoa, and a musician plucking out Christmas tunes on a guitar.
    The tourism center was always promoting some activity or another, especially around any holiday, and this weekend featured living windows displays. Shopkeepers were encouraged to put on a holiday themed act in their storefronts using real people. The candle shop was doing a rendition of A Christmas Carol with Tiny Tim and Scrooge, who was cast perfectly in the form of Scully, Cinnamon’s best customer and longtime Amethyst resident. A vintage toy store a few doors down featured Santa’s workshop, and at the end of the street was the most surprising display of all.
    There, standing inside the window of a store called Nuts About You that sold—you guessed it—nuts, was the man in my life, Chance. All six foot two inches of him was dressed as a classic Tchaikovsky nutcracker complete with face paint, a tall fuzzy hat, red jacket with gleaming gold buttons, black pants, and shiny black boots.
    I was cackling as I swung the car to the right and parked.
    “Come on, Thor. Let’s go see who roped Chance into this.”
    We got out and I grabbed my bag, phone at the ready, because this was so going on Facebook. Hell, I might even make it my profile pic.
    Thor trotted along next to me as we made our way over to the shop. Even he seemed to be smiling.
    I jumped in front of the window and snapped some pictures with my phone. Chance winced and shook his head.
    He mouthed something through the glass, but I couldn’t hear him so I told Thor to wait outside while I slipped into the shop.
    Homey scents of salt, caramel, and pecans drifted through the building. A few customers were browsing the aisles discussing gift options for friends and family, and a plump teenager was tallying up a purchase for a white-haired woman. It was a long space shaped like a shoe box and painted a soothing walnut color. The shelves were filled with bags and boxes of peanuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews, honey roasted nuts, barbecue nuts, Brazil nuts and more.
    I curved around the glass to where Chance was nutcrackering.
    “Hey handsome.” I pointed to his ensemble. “So this is a new look for you.”
    He smirked. “If you like it, I might be able to buy it at cost.”
    I pretended to consider this. “Does the hat go with it?”
    “Probably not.”
    “Then no deal.”
    I snapped another photo, pressed a few buttons on my phone, and said, “And post.”
    Chance gave me a sharp stare. “Why are you busting my balls?”
    “Hey, you’re the nutcracker.” I grinned.
    “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
    I tapped my chin. “Let me think.” My head bobbed up and down. “Yes, yes I am. It’s nice to see you dressed silly for a change. And since you never held back