A Dyeing Shame (24 page)
Red’s face was the picture of careful concern. “Still, sweetie, maybe you could paint another picture for Mama. I know she and Miles enjoyed it so much.” He gave his mother a sweet smile.
Myrtle gritted her teeth into a grin.
Elaine paused a second then said. “I hate to say it, but I don’t think I want to. I’m considering taking a cooking class, instead. Painting is all right, but it’s not really as fun as I thought it was going to be. I think I’m done with the art world for a while.”
Myrtle smiled understandingly.
Once Elaine and Jack left for home, Red looked at her admiringly. “All right, Mama. I’m sorry I questioned your judgment. You’re obviously in full possession of your faculties if you were able to rid this world of that painting. Somehow managing to destroy it in the middle of all that chaos shows great presence of mind.”
Myrtle raised an eyebrow. “So you’re not impressed by my deductions, firefighting, or cane-wielding skills, but destroying art wins your approval?”
“If you want to put it that way.” They sat thoughtfully for a moment.”
Myrtle jumped a little as the doorbell rang. It was Puddin, who had clearly come over purely because of the police cars parked outside. “I just thought you might need some cleaning,” she said with gleaming, green eyes.
“Actually, Puddin, you had
perfect
timing today,” said Myrtle as she led the way into the kitchen. She heard Red chuckling behind her.
Thanks to Keith Snyder at Typeflow for formatting the novel, Judy Beatty for her editing expertise, and Kendel Flaum for the beautiful cover. To my family for their constant encouragement. To the online writing community for all the inspiration and support it provides. Thanks most of all to my readers.
Elizabeth Spann Craig
writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin Books/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries (2012) for Penguin Books/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series. She blogs daily at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010 and 2011.
Her most recent releases are
Hickory Smoked Homicide
, third book of the Memphis Barbeque series (November 1, 2011),
Finger Lickin' Dead
, the second of the Memphis Barbeque series (June 2011 for Penguin) and
Progressive Dinner Deadly,
a Myrtle Clover Mystery (August 2011).
Twitter:
@elizabethscraig
Google+:
Elizabeth S Craig
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