The Ghost and the Christmas Spirit

We still need to find a couple of things for the White Elephant gift exchange. Walt tucked one hand in his pocket and placed his other hand on her lower back. He nodded to the store and said, Let's go in. From across the street, Colin watched as Walt and Danielle disappeared inside the curio shop. Stepping up to the edge of the sidewalk, he glanced to the right and then the left, looking for any oncoming traffic. Satisfied the road was clear, he hurried across the street heading toward Mermaid Curio. When he opened its door a moment later, it sent a bell overhead jingling, reminding him of sleigh bells. Stepping into the poorly lit gift shop, he spied Walt and Danielle standing by one of the counters, talking to the shop owner. The man glanced up upon hearing the bell and saw Colin. He gave him a smile and called out, I will be with you in a minute. No hurry, Colin called back, his accent barely discernible. I'm just browsing. Neither Walt nor Danielle paid any notice to the new arrival, nor had they heard him call out to the shop owner. Instead, they chatted amongst themselves while studying a curious item in Danielle's hand. She turned it from side to side, trying to figure out what it was exactly. As best she could tell, it was a large gold high-heeled shoe that someone had enthusiastically embellished with snippets of artificial poinsettia, tiny glass balls, and a multitude of what she assumed were fake gemstones. What exactly are you looking for? The shop owner asked as he stood behind the counter, watching Danielle examine the curious item. Still holding the gaudy shoe, she looked up to him with a smile. I'm looking for a couple of things to buy for a white elephant gift exchange. The man nodded to the unusual object in Danielle's hand and said, I would think that Christmas shoe might be just the right thing. Assuming this is a gift exchange for Christmas. Danielle arched her brow and looked back at the shoe in her hand. Is this what this is? A Christmas shoe? If anyone had ever worn the lone shoe, it was unwearable now as the artificial flowers and other baubles weren't just glued onto its exterior, but inside. The shop owner reached out and turned the shoe over in Danielle's hand, revealing the Christmas paper glued on its sole. Considering the poinsettias and Christmas paper, that's what I'm calling it. Danielle ran several fingertips over the bottom of the shoe, noting its roughness, suggesting many layers of wrapping paper had been decoupaged on its sole. Yes, it's for Christmas, she said. Well, then this would be perfect, the man said with a mischievous grin. Danielle looked up to him and extended her free hand. I'm Danielle Marlowe, and this is my husband, Walt. We're from Frederic Port. Marlowe? That wouldn't be Marlowe House B&B, would it? The man asked as he shook her hand. It used to be a B&B. After taking back her hand, she dug it into her purse and pulled out a business card. I'm Bud Darrell. You can call me Bud. I own this shop, the man explained. He accepted the business card after shaking Walt's hand. Nice to meet you, Danielle said, turning her attention back to the shoe. What exactly does one do with that? Walt asked with a frown, glancing from the shoe to Bud. Bud shrugged. I suppose it's some sort of Christmas decoration. It was one of the items in a trunk I purchased from the Winterbourne auction. I was just unpacking it. In fact, I haven't even had a chance to price any of the items. The trunk arrived last night, right after closing. I was just going through it before I went to unlock the door and turn the open sign around. Winterbourne auction? Danielle asked with a frown. Eloise Winterbourne owned one of the oldest and largest houses in town. She passed away about six months ago. The estate recently auctioned off most of her personal items. I picked up this trunk. He pointed to an antique trunk several feet away. After looking inside, I have a feeling they just shoved a bunch of junk in there that should have been tossed out or taken to the thrift store. But I was bidding on the trunk, not its contents. Danielle set the shoe on the counter and walked over to the trunk. She ran her hand over its intricate carving. No, I imagine you didn't. This is quite exquisite. But perked up. You interested in it? Danielle shook her head and walked back to the counter with Walt. No, not really our style, but it is lovely. However, I am sort of interested in this shoe. She picked it up again and grinned at Walt.