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“You kept me out of prison,” Bob reminded them, referring to the death at the B and B. “Believe me, I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

“Ancient history,” Roy insisted, standing on the front porch. He wrapped his arm around Corrie’s shoulders.

“Ancient history to you, perhaps,” Bob said, “but it’s something I’ll never forget.”

They got into their vehicle, and Corrie and Roy returned to the warmth of the house.

“I really didn’t do that much,” Roy protested. “Bob was so obviously innocent….”

“Are you complaining about the cookies and candy they brought?” she asked, half-joking. “No way!”

“Then enjoy and quit your muttering.”

He laughed. “You’re right. Have you tasted that English toffee yet? It’s good stuff.”

“Don’t tell me how good it is, I’m resisting.”

“Why?”

Corrie rolled her eyes. “Because it’s hard enough not to overindulge during the holidays without you telling me how good everything tastes.”

“Fine. Leaves more for me.”

Sighing, Corrie brought the tray into the kitchen and covered it with a towel. Out of sight, out of mind. She returned to the back bedroom and resumed wrapping gifts.

Fifteen minutes later, Roy poked his head in. “You about done?”

“Yup. I’m putting the final touches on the last package. Why?”

“Anything here for Gloria?”

“Of course.”

“Well, she just parked outside the house.”

“Oh.” Corrie felt a bit flustered.

“She isn’t alone.”

“Did Chad come with her?” Corrie couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice.

Roy nodded. “Only they don’t seem to be in any big hurry to come inside. They’ve been sitting in the car chatting for the past ten minutes.”

Corrie arched her eyebrows. “Can you tell if they’re arguing?” She certainly hoped not!

“I didn’t want it to be obvious that I saw them.”

“Good point.” Still, one might think that Roy, a private investigator, would know how to watch without being seen.

“Besides, this is their business.”

Another good point, although that hadn’t troubled him earlier when he’d gone to see Chad, which she restrained herself from mentioning.

The doorbell chimed.

“I’ll get it,” Roy said.

Corrie made her way into the kitchen and brewed a fresh pot of coffee. She heard Roy greet their daughter and Chad, and she quickly joined them.

“I know we’re early,” Gloria said. She held hands with Chad—a positive sign. “Chad thought we should all talk before everyone came for dinner tonight.”

“Sure,” Roy said, sitting down in his recliner.

Gloria and Chad took the sofa, huddled close to each other.

Corrie slid onto her favorite chair, her heart in her throat.

A tense silence pervaded the room as both she and Roy waited for whatever announcement was about to be made.

Gloria looked at Chad as if she wanted him to do the talking.

“Gloria and I wanted you to know we decided to get married,” he blurted out. “She agreed to marry me a couple of weeks ago but we wanted to keep it to ourselves until Christmas, and—”

Corrie was instantly on her feet. “That’s wonderful news!” she said, interrupting him and clasping her hands together. Her mind was whirling. While she hoped it would be soon, for the baby’s sake, she’d love a June wedding. That would give her enough time to plan. She’d get started first thing after Christmas. They’d need someplace special for the reception and, of course, there were the invitations, which they’d want to send out immediately. They’d have to find a dress; at this stage of her pregnancy, Gloria probably wouldn’t fit into Corrie’s wedding gown, which was a shame.

“When’s the happy date?” Roy asked.

“Actually…we’re already married,” Chad said.

Corrie blinked, assuming she’d misunderstood. “Already married?” she repeated. That wasn’t possible!

“When?” Roy asked, following the first question with a second. “Where?”

Again it was Chad who explained. “I’m afraid I’m responsible. Gloria said she’d marry me but we couldn’t agree on a date.”

“I wanted to wait until after the baby’s born and have a summer wedding,” she told them.

Corrie nodded, understanding.

“And I wanted