Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells Read online

  Table of Contents

  Excerpt

  Praise for Penny Burwell Ewing and…

  Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Cast of Characters

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  A word about the author…

  Thank you for purchasing

  Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc. and other major retailers

  From my hidden position in the tree line, I watched as the moon’s pale light showcased the shadowy figure. I recognized him from the photos in Saint Peter’s office.

  Krampus. Santa’s horned helper. Keeper and enforcer of the naughty or nice list.

  Half-goat, half-demon. Hairy. Cloven hooves. Long curled horns. And a long, pointed tongue. Jagged fangs. Yes, I know I’ve already described him, but man is he ugly.

  Great.

  I have the worst luck.

  The whip hummed to life, vibrating the saddle, and I reached for it, cradling it in my hand. Tingles raced up my arm as I held the lash, ready to strike at the precise moment of opportunity.

  Skywalker sensed my intensity and posed. He stood statue-like, stone-solid, but explosive energy built beneath me. He was ready for action.

  The atmosphere droned with electricity. Lightning flashed far off in the distance. After several seconds of tense silence, thunder rumbled. Clouds obscured the moon, plunging the street into darkness. All remained still. Like the moments before a tornado strike.

  Prickles of life sprang through the coiled lash, and I nudged Skywalker with my heels. His wings spread out, and he swooped down from our perch among the treetops, moving in close. The target came into view.

  Whoosh. The lash sang out, entangling itself around the target’s throat. A scream of agony split the night air. From the branches, birds scattered, squawking their fury, but I had snared Krampus. He was done for like a Thanksgiving turkey.

  Praise for Penny Burwell Ewing and…

  DIXIELAND DEAD

  “From the very first page, Ms. Ewing captured me within her web of writing. I was held spellbound by the antics of all the characters and fell in love with Jolene, her sisters and mom. And don’t get me started on Scarlett Cantrell—I was either laughing or shouting out loud. She’s one of those characters I hope to see in future books. This story had everything I enjoy—a great mystery, humor, a dash of romance, and a sassy ghost. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Bravo, Ms. Ewing!”

  ~Mary Morgan, Award-Winning

  Celtic Paranormal Romance Author

  ~*~

  UTTERLY DEADLY SOUTHERN PECAN PIE

  “This is a good book in a great series! Penny does a great job bringing her characters to life and describing their world. If you like a mystery with a little comedy mixed in, give this series a try.”

  ~Darlene Hancock, Published Author

  Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells

  by

  Penny Burwell Ewing

  A Scarlett Cantrell Christmas Novella

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells

  COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Penny Burwell Ewing

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Fantasy Rose Edition, 2018

  Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2355-8

  A Scarlett Cantrell Christmas Novella

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  For my editor, Amanda Barnett.

  Jolene, Scarlett, and the gang

  in Whiskey Creek, Georgia,

  thank you for coming along on each journey.

  Without you, there wouldn’t be a Haunted Salon Series.

  You’re the best, and this one’s for you.

  Cast of Characters

  Scarlett Cantrell – Heaven’s sassiest Southern girl is dead set on earning her angel wings—whatever the cost—but it’ll take more than her grit and determination on her first solo mission back to Earth to close an opened demonic portal. She’s never dealt with teenagers before now.

  Saint Peter – Heaven’s gatekeeper is doing his best to keep Scarlett on the straight and narrow as she trains for a new position as a guardian angel. However, his latest recruit isn’t like the other celestial citizens. She’s a natural-born rebel rouser.

  Jolene Claiborne Bradford – Since her marriage to Sam, she’s been settling into married life without any ghostly interruptions. Until now.

  Billie Jo Hazard – Her daughter Lynette is hanging out with the wrong crowd.

  Krampus – This pagan spirit of Germanic folklore is checking Santa’s list for the naughty and the nice. ’Tis the season to stir up trouble and strife.

  Chapter One

  Blue Christmas

  I seized the opportunity with gusto. Hazell shifted those glorious baby blues off me for one millisecond, and I arched my glittering sword of light high above my head and swung with all my kick-ass feminine might. My attack caught him by surprise, and his sword dislodged from his firm grip and tumbled to the ground where it stretched out on the grass like a lazy silver python taking a long summer nap.

  “I win.” I breathed in the sweet scent of victory. My first of many to come, I hoped.

  My fencing instructor gave a crooked grin. “You had an unfair advantage, Scarlett. I warned you several times, and you have ignored my concerns regarding your choice of wardrobe. I was distracted.”

  I sheathed my sword and delivered a catty smile. “A guardian angel must be prepared for the unexpected. Your words,” I added at his frown. “And, in my defense, I’m clothed in the approved apprenticeship uniform. It just happens to be a mite tight, that’s all.”

  The blond giant towered over me, his brilliant eyes shining with mirth, and a forbidden thrill shot through my veins, and for the thousandth time since my death, I hungered for life and the pleasures it promised. Call me sinful, but I hadn’t mastered my desire for the virtuous Hazell. He reminded me of one of those hunky Viking lords displayed on the covers of romance novels so trendy on Earth right now. Long, flowing locks of golden hair, sizzling eyes of righteous purpose, and yummy buns of steel.

  Deena had those type of books sprinkled all over her office at Dixieland Salon. I had salivated over them until I’d met Hazell. In my eyes, he was the embodiment of masculinity. Lose the wings and virtuous nature, and boy-oh-boy what I could do with him. But it would not happen no matter how much I fantasized. We were celestial citizens of the Heavenly sort. He, an Archangel in the Order of the Guardsmen, and I, a Southern girl trying to earn her angel wings.

  An unlikely pair. Mismatched, one might say.

  Saint Peter would definitely say. Not the romantic type, Saint Peter. A lover of rules. He�
�d blow a gasket if he knew I’d snatched a kiss from the hunky Hazell out behind the white marble headquarters of the Council of Noble Purposes. A stolen kiss had kick-started my fascination for the big guy with the massive wings.

  Yep, a forbidden secret, for sure. Guardian angels are forbidden to fall in love.

  “Scarlett, did you hear me?” Hazell’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You’re doing excellent. Your sword-fighting skills are above average, and I’m happy to report you’re ready for the next phase in your training. I know you’re eager to take your position as a guardian angel.”

  “Jolene can wait,” I protested, not willing to leave the comfort of Heaven—or Hazell. The thought of being separated from him turned my stomach. “You’re right about me.” I waved a hand down my curvy body, pausing over my oversized boobs. “I have a way with males, and I use it to my unfair advantage.” I shook my bronze ponytail. “I have a reputation for not playing fair.”

  Hazell’s piercing gaze swept over me, melting my knees. “You will be fine, Scarlett. You must take your place among the guardians. It’s what you’ve been working toward.”

  He was right. I had worked hard to accomplish my goal to become a guardian angel—which is one of the highest achievements in Heaven for a departed soul. But somewhere along the way, I had lost sight of Earth. And Jolene. Rumor around Heaven was she and Sam had eloped to Vegas and now experienced their HEA in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Good for her, bad for me, because I’d changed my mind about leaving Heaven to become her guardian angel.

  Luminescent dashes of golden light shimmered from the radiant cosmic love surrounding us, and I could just make out the voices of the Hallelujah Choir coming from the Golden City just over the Galaxy Mountains. Heaven is like that. Shiny and warm and filled with happy celestial citizens and animals.

  The flutter of angel wings brought a visitor to the training center on the outskirts of the city. I groaned when I recognized Cooper, one of Saint Peter’s messenger boys, settle down from the up drift he’d rode in on. He folded his wings and strode over to where Hazell and I were standing. He gave a nod of acknowledgment to Hazell, then addressed me with his usual stone-faced manner. “Your immediate presence is required.”

  Cooper never wasted words or smiles. To the point without fuss. His dress code reflected his straight and narrow personality. A three-piece, pin-striped gray suit. Black loafers. Wire-rimmed glasses. Short, almost cropped brown hair.

  I gave a mock salute. “Message received, over and out. Reporting to headquarters in ten.”

  His unamused gaze swept over me. “The Boss is waiting.” His brow lifted in a challenge. “Now.”

  Our gazes clashed. Twerp. Did he believe an errand boy in a business suit could intimidate me? One of the mighty Guardians of the Heavenly Realm? Ha. Not in a million years. Excitement corroded my thinking. My grip tightened on my sheathed sword, and I took a step backward to prepare for battle. The sword hummed to life as I withdrew it, and I squealed in surprise when a persuasive grip closed over my wrist.

  “You must learn to corral your rebel blood, Scarlett,” Hazell instructed, even though his mouth quirked with humor. “A warrior only uses her might to protect her charge. Not to dissect another angel, and certainly not one of Saint Peter’s staff. Be ever mindful of the power you yield.”

  Hazell’s gentle reminder did the trick. Cooper dropped his superior attitude, and my breath expelled in a shaky whoosh. I sheathed my fiery sword, and muttered a hasty “Thank you,” under my breath.

  Reprimanded for my inappropriate behavior, I softened my expression and turned to Cooper. “A thousand pardons to you, sir. I will report to my superior when I finish my lesson.”

  “Well, then, I will take my leave,” Cooper huffed out in a polite, but still patronizing voice, and it took all my reserve not to bless his soul with the tip of my sword. Hazell cleared his throat, and I relaxed my stance.

  Saint Peter’s angel caught the next breeze, and just before he scooted behind a fluffy white cloud, I heard his nasal voice urging me “Not to dawdle.” To my determent, I shot him a bird and earned another reprimand from Hazell.

  “Scarlett, you must learn to control your human passions,” his gentle voice urged. “They will lead you astray if you can’t manage them.”

  Speaking of passion. Hmmm. I wonder.

  I trailed a finger along his arm. “Hazell, before I go.” I kept my voice low and seductive. “I have a parting gift from a grateful student.”

  “The Council frowns on gift-giving between students and instructors.”

  “I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “It’s forbidden.”

  “Forbidden is the spice of life.”

  “Not for angels, Scarlett. We aim high and are above reproach. Never forget your training and how hard you’ve worked to get here. Not all human spirits are chosen to serve in the Guard. Be honorable and stay out of trouble.”

  I sighed and dropped my hands to my side, once again humbled and reminded of my new standing in the Golden City. The mighty Archangel Hazell urged me to stay out of trouble. Good advice for angels, but I wasn’t a full-fledged angel yet. My natural human rebellion reared its ugly head at the most inopportune times. Not that I wished to sin, it just happened.

  “I promise to make you proud, Hazell.” My voice quivered with forbidden emotion.

  His voice softened. “Don’t bend the rules, Scarlett, and you’ll do fine.”

  Infused with Heaven’s perfection, I touched the sword at my side, crossed my fingers for good luck and caught the next up-drift for the Golden City and my meeting with Saint Peter.

  Chapter Two

  Jingle Bell Rock

  Signs of Christmas were everywhere in the Golden City. Shops and cafés decked out with all the usual holiday decorations lined the golden streets. Bright colored lights adorned street lamps, and holly wreaths hung from each merchant’s door. At the bakery, I breathed in the aroma of sugar cookies and heavenly fruit cake wafting from the open front door. My stomach growled, but I had no time to sample the goodies. Saint Peter frowned on tardiness.

  The white-columned brick mansion sat at the intersection of Universal Avenue and Trinity Street. I hurried through the gate and past the gilded sign which read: Supervisor of Foreign Affairs. Cooper met me at the door with a frown and ushered me inside where Saint Peter paced back and forth across the foyer. The plush Turkish carpet bore the effects of his frantic shuffle.

  He stopped at my entrance, pulled a gold pocket watch from his blue pin-striped trousers, and snapped it open to consult the time. “I’ve been waiting for you, Scarlett. We have an urgent situation. Come into my office.” He turned to his assistant. “No interruptions, Cooper. Has the package been delivered?”

  “Not yet, sir. I did request rush delivery.”

  “Let me know when it arrives,” Saint Peter said with a quick nod.

  The usual calm atmosphere crackled with tension, and I surveyed the scene with a mounting sense of trepidation. I opened my mouth to comment, but the Boss held up a hand for silence.

  “In my office. Now,” Saint Peter ordered.

  His stern tone implied I had broken another rule. Could my outfit be the issue? I glanced at my reflection in the large oval mirror hanging on the paneled wall. Great balls of fire! The white spandex jumpsuit hugged my curves like snakeskin, emphasizing my expensive boobs and shapely butt. No wonder Hazell lost the fight.

  In his office, Saint Peter pointed to a leather chair facing his mahogany desk. “Have a seat, Scarlett. We have little time.”

  “Sir, about my choice of apparel,” I twanged with my best Southern accent. “Hazell mentioned it during our fencing lesson. I now see where it might be a problem with the Council.”

  Saint Peter’s flushed face now matched his red hair. He shuffled through a pile of file folders on his desk. “Tell me about you and Hazell.”

  Oh dear. I chewed my lower lip.

  “I’m dismayed by your behavior, Scarlett
.” His face glowed with righteous indignation.

  “I can explain.”

  “You always do, Scarlett. However, this time I’m forced to act.”

  Oh dear. This was worse than I thought. “My father never spanked me when he was mad. He said it might stunt my growth. That’s a good policy don’t you agree?”

  The red phone on his desk rang, and I crossed my fingers the news on the other end would forestall any punishment coming my way. At least until I could redeem myself.

  He snatched up the receiver. “Yes, Cooper?” Pause. “He’s here? Good, good. Did the accessories arrive with him? Hmmm. Excellent.” He disconnected the call and refocused his attention on me. He tapped a red folder. “There is to be no fraternization between student and instructor, understood?”

  I nodded.

  He continued in a gentle, yet stern voice, “Hazell is no match for your wiles, Scarlett. When you earn your wings, the Council will grant permission for you and Hazell to pursue your platonic friendship, understood?”

  I had no choice but to nod.

  He closed the red folder and pulled another one from the pile. “Your sword-fighting lessons are complete. You’ve passed this phase of your guardianship training. However, because of your inappropriate behavior, the Council decided both you and Hazell need time and space away from one another. I’m sending you to Earth on a solo mission.”

  “But I’m not ready, sir,” I protested. “Besides, I’m not exactly a stellar recruit, and I don’t want to leave Heaven.”

  “No, you’re not one of my best recruits, but this is part of your training, Scarlett. Everyone must solo before earning their wings.”

  “With respect, sir, I’ve changed my mind. I no longer want to be Jolene’s guardian angel.”

  “Too late. The process has begun. You must move forward.” He waved his hands in my direction, and a sharp pain hit me below my shoulders.

  I bolted from the chair. “Okay, that wasn’t necessary, Boss. I’ll go to Earth. No need to get physical.” I flinched as I touched two small nodules just below my shoulder blades. “Please tell me these will go away.”