The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns

Author:V.M. Burns [Burns, V.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-10-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I thought writing would help me unwind, but my mind refused to focus on Great Britain in 1938. I decided to start revisions. With a stack of printed manuscript pages, a glass of wine, and a red pen, I curled up on the sofa. Within a minute, I was transported to the British countryside.

It felt like a minute later when I woke to my favorite smells, bacon and coffee. The pillow under my head and the blanket over me meant not only had I slept through Nana Jo’s arrival last night or this morning, but I’d slept while she’d made me comfortable. I grunted at her cheery good morning and hurried to the bathroom to take care of pressing business and to brush my teeth.

Refreshed, I joined Nana Jo at the breakfast bar. I downed almost an entire mug of coffee before I noticed she was reading while she ate.

My manuscript. “Where did you get that?”

“Off the floor when I put the blanket over you. Why didn’t you tell me you’re writing a book?”

“You had no right.” I grabbed the pages and clutched them to my chest. The sudden rush of blood to my head made me a little dizzy.

I wasn’t being reasonable. She didn’t know about my book. She certainly didn’t realize how protective, or perhaps the better word was fearful, I was. The novel was my baby. I’d dreamed of writing a book for more years than I could remember. Leon was the first person with whom I’d shared my secret. Jenna happened to overhear us talking about it and was brought into my dream.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize,” Nana Jo said. “Please forgive my intrusion.”

I felt like a total and complete idiot. “I’m sorry, Nana Jo. I didn’t mean to be rude.” I put the pages on the counter. “It’s just, I didn’t want anyone to know. It’s sort of personal.”

“I understand, honey. No need to apologize. I should have asked. I’m really sorry.” She patted my hand and returned to her breakfast.

“I was only doing some editing. I must have fallen asleep.”

She nodded and continued to eat. Her body language said she wasn’t angry, but I felt guilty and a little curious. I smoothed the pages I’d creased when I grabbed them and started to eat.

Those one hundred or so pages turned into the eight-hundred-pound gorilla. I couldn’t keep my eyes off them. Curiosity got the better of me. “What did you think?”

Nana Jo beamed. “I thought it was wonderful. I really did, honey. I liked the characters, and I was amazed how you transported me to England.”

“You aren’t just saying that because you’re my grandmother, are you?”

“You know me well enough to know that if I didn’t think it was good, I’d tell you, granddaughter or not. God knows there are enough bad books out there. No point adding any more. A good cozy mystery is a rare thing.”

I basked in the glow of my nana’s praise and slid the pages to her. “I guess it would be okay if you read it, but please, don’t tell anyone.

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