Nickeled-And-Dimed to Death by Denise Swanson

Author:Denise Swanson [Swanson, Denise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Cozy, Women Sleuths, General
ISBN: 9781101604090
Google: IzwTHH7DJe0C
Amazon: 0451239423
Publisher: NAL
Published: 2013-03-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

* * *

According to the note Gran had left on my bed the previous night, she’d won big playing the penny slots on her casino bus trip—eighty-eight dollars and fifty-three cents, to be precise. Plus she’d scored a free buffet and a frozen ham, which explained why I could hear her whistling as she cooked breakfast.

I was relieved that she was in a good mood. Yesterday, before she left on her outing, she’d held me hostage on the phone for half an hour while she lectured me about Noah’s shortcomings and Jake’s virtues. She didn’t normally interfere with my life, but on this matter she’d pretty much decided that Noah had single-handedly started the Iraq war and Jake should receive the Medal of Freedom.

Therefore, my first problem of the day was to sidetrack her before she asked me if Noah had been with me at Boone’s last night. I’d mentioned my plans to see him, but not why or who else would be there. I also didn’t want her to question me about the Jake situation. She wouldn’t be happy with either of my answers, and I had too much on my mind to come up with lies that she’d accept.

Because of that, I kept up a steady stream of chatter as I entered the kitchen and poured myself a cup of intelligence from the coffee machine. Unfortunately, I eventually had to take a breather in order to gulp down a much-needed hit of caffeine, and Gran pounced.

“I should make you get your own breakfast,” she threatened as she placed three sausage links on my dish. “I told you that going to that dance with Noah Underwood on Saturday was a bad idea.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off. “And when were you going to tell me you had lunch with him on Sunday?”

“Never,” I muttered too low for her to hear. “Does never work for you?”

“What?” She peered at me suspiciously, and when I didn’t respond said, “I hope you’re happy.” She turned and grabbed a pan from the stove; then as she spooned scrambled eggs on to my plate she grumbled, “It’s all over town that you’re dating Noah Underwood again.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.” I knew my being seen with Noah would cause some gossip, but I’d hoped it wouldn’t get out quite so widely or quite so soon.

“It was the talk of the senior bus trip. I told everyone that going to the uh . . .”

“Fund-raiser,” I supplied.

“Right, you going to the fund-raiser with him was strictly business.” Gran grudgingly plopped a slice of toast next to my eggs. “But when they brought up your lunch with him the next day, what could I say?”

“Did they mention it wasn’t just Noah and me? Poppy was there, too, and she and I sat together.”

Gran ignored my excuse. “What will Jake think when Tony tells him that the minute he leaves town, you’re seeing someone else?”

I had to bite my tongue

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