EMBELLISHED TO DEATH (26 page)

I felt protected snuggled between my grandmothers. Nothing would be allowed to hurt me now. Tears tumbled down my cheeks.

Cheryl wiped them away with her hands. “Whatever it is, we love you and will support you. Even if it's you don't want to marry Steve.”

“We think he's perfect for you,” Hope said. “But if you don't that's okay. There are other men.”

“Someone will marry you.” Cheryl rubbed my hand.

“Someone did,” I launched into the truth. “I thought he loved me, and later found out he wanted a scapegoat. Someone to blame for his crimes. I almost went to prison because of him.”

Cheryl's eyes widened. “For what?”

“Murder.”

Hope gasped, pressing a hand to her chest.

Cheryl cupped one hand around her best friend's hands, and the other one stroked my cheek. “The police knew it was nonsense. You're here and he's in jail. Or dead.”

“Prison,” I said.

“As he should be.” Hope patted my hand. “If you've kept this from because of what other people would think—”

“What other people would say,” I corrected.

Cheryl waved off my concern. “Whoever talks ugly about you isn't worth our time and attention.”

“You love Eden. Our community.”

“Not more than you,” Hope said.

“We'll move.” Cheryl dusted off her hands. “Easy peasy. Nothing comes before our granddaughter.”

“Absolutely.” Hope hooked her fingers through mine. “But what does this have to do with Steve?”

“He's the cousin of my ex-husband.”

“That does change things,” Grandma Cheryl said.

“It does.” Hope turned my face toward hers and touched her forehead to mine. “But how it changes is up to you, baby girl.”

Right now, my heart and head were warring so much I had no clue on what I needed to do. What I wanted to do was talk to Ted. Lean on him while I sorted it all out. I didn't know if that was the start of finding a solution, or another problem.

Faith's Scrapbooking Tips

  

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About the Author

  

  

The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series brings together Christina Freeburn's love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia. When not writing or reading, she can be found in her scrapbook room or at a crop. Alas, none of the real-life crops have had a sexy male prosecutor or a handsome police officer attending.

 

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.