Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Did the name of “good natured” Gilda Jean point to a similar name, like Savannah pointed to Hannah? Or was this a tidbit meant to throw her off the scent?
Conrad winked at her. “Wait till you get to the coaxing whispers of nature part.”
Ugh. “Second,” she said, resuming her rant. “The lead character is the worst. This paragon of homicide who flits around town caring for stray dogs and volunteering to sit with the elderly is totally in love with herself. The compliments never end. And by the way, I’m not loving how the perp resembles me. Dark hair. Blue eyes. Bangs.”
They discussed what they read until the wee hours of the night, finally falling asleep together on the couch. When morning arrived, Jane wasn’t at her best. Her eyes burned, and her neck and shoulders ached. And her back. Ow. Conrad, who was already on his feet, passed her two over-the-counter pain relievers and a glass of orange juice.
“Thank you,” she said and tossed each down the hatch.
“Stay home today,” he advised. “Exactly as the doctor ordered.”
And compromise her investigation? Never. “As the doctor suggested. But no, I’m good.” To prove it, she eased to a stand. Blowing him a kiss, she strode to the main bathroom to prepare for the day.
After a long, hot shower teeming with uplifting citrus scents, she dressed in yoga pants and one of her fiancé’s oversized shirts–perfect for researching. Despite her earlier bravado, maybe sticking close to home wasn’t such a bad idea. For now.
When she emerged from the bedroom, she discovered Conrad had a delightful cinnamon sugar French toast breakfast prepared. “You are the most amazing man in the whole world,” she exclaimed.
“No, I’m a man who’s addicted to seeing this exact look on your face.”
Their gazes met, and they shared a tender moment. He’d showered and changed, too, and oh, he looked good. He wore a fitted collared dress shirt with the town’s insignia stitched onto the pocket along with his name. And because he knew she loved it, he hadn’t shaved. A thicker than usual shadow dusted his strong jaw. Newly retired ex-Sheriff Moore would be scandalized.
The doorbell rang, and Conrad’s features turned sheepish. “I’ve got to head to the office for interviews, so I ate before you came out.” He pressed a gentle kiss into her lips. “As my consultant, you are legally required to keep me updated. Tell me everything you learn.” He gave her a second kiss, then strode off to answer the door on his way out.
Going to work was totally normal, so why the sheepish look?
Beau entered the kitchen a few seconds later. Ahh, that explained it. Conrad had rustled up a watchdog for her to “help” with the case. Sporting khakis, rugged work boots and his signature Peach State Security polo shirt, her best friend made her feel safe and unalone. They hugged tighter than usual.
“You feeling better today?” he asked.
“Of course.” She pulled from his embrace and pretended to knock on her temple. “I’m hardheaded.”
“Yeah, but not indestructible.”
“Well, not even death could prevent me from solving this murder.”
“It’s too soon for talk of you dying.” He booed to emphasize his point and even flashed a thumbs down sign.
Making a face, she waved to the counter. “Have a seat and eat up. You know you love Conrad’s cinnamon sugar French toast as much as I do. You can entertain me as I bake a chocolate lava cake.” Puttering around in the kitchen always fine-tuned her murder-solving skills.
“Chocolate lava cake?” Beau’s green eyes glazed over. “I want that.”
“Nope. That particular treat is for Christopher.”
He lifted a brow. “As in your ex-boyfriend Christopher Wellington? That Christopher?”
“As in the first responder who got me to safety and deserves a thank you.”
“So you’re telling me Conrad is good with you baking a sweet treat for another man? And in his kitchen, no less?”
Jane rolled her eyes, only to pause as a thought occurred to her. How strange. She’d come to think of this as her kitchen. Actually, their kitchen. “Why would he care? I bake for you, Trick, Holden and Isaac. But why do you care?”
“Mr. Fireman hurt you.” Beau plopped a bite of cinnamon toast into his mouth and closed his eyes for a moment, his upset forgotten.
“It was a long time ago,” she assured him. “I’m over it. And he might have spotted the killer fleeing the scene without realizing it. I’ve found baked goods have a way of making people remember lost details.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Give your readers as much information as possible. Who doesn’t want to read an in-depth analysis of made-up technology?
Y’all Write Now–Advice for New Writers
by Tabby Paynes-Murksand
Using the ingredients Conrad had on hand, Jane whipped up a super easy decadent chocolate lava cake, then tidied up her appearance. Though she’d hated ditching the comfort of Conrad’s shirt and those yoga pants, she exchanged the garments for an ivory silk blouse with subtle darts and a relaxed knee-length pencil skirt in black. A sophisticated look sure to let Christopher know she was a professional investigator who meant business. For the sake of her healing head wound, she forwent a hat. Boo, hiss.