Chapter 23

The Sleuthing Seniors Book Club met on Thursdays. That was the only reason I came downstairs. The bruise on my forehead was now a deep purple and it looked like I was getting a black eye. However, after a day alone, I was tired of my own company.

Dawson had been busy baking most of the day. Tomorrow, he would be allowed back at school and back on the football team. One of my favorite desserts was carrot cake, so he’d made a delicious carrot cake with cream cheese icing. It was moist and tasty and I ate more than I should, but I enjoyed every bite.

“Have you ladies decided on your next book?” I asked.

“We’re going for Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep,” Dorothy said.

“That’s a good one,” Nana Jo added.

“Is there sex in it?” Irma asked.

I thought back. “It’s been a while since I read it, but I don’t think so.”

Irma looked disappointed.

“I’ve got something for you.” I went to the back office and came back with three books which I placed in front of Irma. “I ordered these for you.”

She looked at them. They were romance novels by Brenda Jackson.

“A Brother’s Honor is the first book in the series. A Man’s Promise is the second, and A Lover’s Vow is the third. Technically, they’re romances, not mysteries, but there is definitely a mystery subplot. I thought you might enjoy them.”

Irma coughed and gave me a hug. “Thank you, Sam. I can’t wait to read them.”

Frank Patterson entered with a bottle of champagne, followed by Dawson, who had a tray of glasses. Nana Jo came over to me with a sly smile on her face and a mysterious envelope in her hand. “Sam, I have a surprise for you.”

I looked at Nana Jo and tried to imagine what the surprise might be. I looked around at the girls, and they seemed to be a mixture of happiness and nervous anxiety.

Nana Jo took a deep breath. “We know how . . . deeply private you are about your book and your writing. We all think it’s wonderful.”

I could feel the heat rush to my face. It had been difficult to allow the girls to read my book, but they were all very complimentary. However, they were my friends and I knew they would never say or do anything to hurt me.

Dorothy said, “Josephine, stop beating around the bush and tell the girl.”

I looked from Dorothy to Nana Jo. “Tell me what?”

Nana Jo hesitated for a moment. “You know Ruby Mae has a second cousin whose daughter is a literary agent in New York.”

I suddenly felt a huge weight in the pit of my stomach. “Yes.”

“Well, we sent her a copy of your manuscript, and she loved it.”

“You did what?” My head was dizzy and I felt like I needed to puke.

Nana Jo looked shocked. “We . . . I wanted to help.”

I put my head between my knees for several moments. The room was completely quiet.

When I finally felt I could sit up without getting sick, I did. Tears streamed down my face.

Nana Jo hurried to my seat. “I’m so sorry, Sam.” She put her arms around me to comfort me. “I never would have done it if I’d known it would upset you this much.”

I pulled away from her and stood. “Upset?” I stared at Nana Jo.

Her expression was one of disappointment and remorse. I looked around at the girls and each of them looked ashamed.

I took several deep breaths and collected myself. Then I threw both arms around my grandmother. “Thank you.”

Nana Jo pushed me away to look in my face. Seeing I was okay, she pulled me close and hugged me tightly.

Irma took a swig from her flask. “Jesus Christ, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

Dorothy and Ruby Mae came over and hugged me. Frank popped the cork and poured champagne into glasses.

“I’m just in shock. I’m sorry. I just can’t believe it.” I stared at the letter Nana Jo handed me.

“You’d better believe it.” Nana Jo smiled at Sam. “I have one more surprise for you.”

“I don’t know if I can take any more.”

“I decided how I want to spend my share of the casino winnings.” She pulled an envelope out of her back pocket and handed it to me.

I opened the envelope. Inside were brochures and flyers for a trip to England. I looked at my grandmother with tears in my eyes. “Really?”

“I thought it would help with your research . . . for your next book.”

I was dumbstruck. Tears streamed down my face. I grabbed Nana Jo and squeezed her. “Thank you.”

“You deserve it.” Nana Jo wiped away a tear and took a drink from the glass of champagne Dawson handed her. “Now, let’s get this party started.”