My granddaughter Faith walked around the Scrap This and slapped Post-It notes on the shelves. A kaleidoscope of color decorated almost every inch of the room and the store looked like an art gallery for slips of paper. There were slips on the paper racks, journaling pens, trimmers, and embellishment packages. Not one product was safe from being tagged by stickers.
“Are you color-coding the store?” I asked as Faith made another lap around the store.
She rolled her eyes. “No.”
I bit my tongue. I was trying harder these days to treat my granddaughter as a young woman and not a child needing constant redirection and a scolding. Though, there were times she made it a huge struggle. Like now. I lost a little of the battle when I allowed a huge sigh to escape.
Faith slapped a couple of sticky notes underneath the shelf holding the glitter glue. “I’m using the Post-Its to remind me what product I’m bringing to sell at the retreat this weekend.”
The girl was just like her grandma Hope. She loved sparkle. “Don’t you think you’re being a tad optimistic about how much the store will sell this weekend? Scrap This won’t be the only vendor.”
“We’re the main vendor.” Faith grinned at me. “Don’t worry, Grandma. We’ll do great.”
“I’d love for you to leave us some merchandise. We have our own National Scrapbook Day retreat this weekend at Scrap This.” I pointed at the white van parked out front. “Besides, you are not going to fit everything you want to bring into the rental.”
Faith’s gaze roamed around the store, taking in the product she marked then contemplated the van. Her brows drew down.
I grinned. She arrived at the conclusion that grandma was right. Like always. One day I hoped the lesson stuck.
Faith rushed over to the counter and pulled out the phone book. “I’ll find a bigger vehicle.”
Once again, I forced myself to let Faith problem-solve for herself. We had plenty of merchandise in the storage room I could unpack for this weekend. Hope and I wanted Faith to take over the store in a couple of years and I needed Faith to believe in herself. She never would if I second-guessed all her decisions.
And on the positive side, this time her intense focus was on selling at the weekend crop and not on a solving a murder.
A shadow near the window caught my attention. Turning my head slightly, I spotted Steve Davis sauntering toward the store. The man reminded me so much of my late husband Joseph. Tall, handsome, and chivalrous. Steve had moved to Eden a year before Faith returned home and had rented the townhouse next to Hope and me. He had been a great help to us, and had taken a keen interest in our granddaughter. Steve would do anything for her.
Steve knocked on the door. Faith hustled over to let him in, a bright smile on her face.
My heart danced. Well, maybe she’d at least listen to me about Steve and marry the man. If there was one area item I wanted her to take my advice on, it was on who was the perfect man for her. Grandmas just know.
You can read more about Cheryl in Embellished to Death, the third book in the “Faith Hunter Scrap This” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first book in the series is Cropped to Death.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on September 25 for the chance to win a copy of EMBELLISHED TO DEATH. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet 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.
Looks great, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
Sounds great, looking forward to reading this
Why haven’t I heard about this one before? On my t-b-r list now 🙂
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thank you for the chance to win.
I love books about scrapbooking and mysteries. Thank you for the chance to win
I’m intrigued–now I have a new series to read, thank you!
This sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Very cute looking story Dru, and I love the cover. Toss my hat in the contest ring please.
This book sounds so good! Would love to read it
Since I’m a grandma I like the grandmother, granddaughter aspect of this story. Fun!
I love this series and cannot wait for the new book!
I have so enjoyed this series because it combines my 2 favorite things–reading cozy mysteries and scrapbooking.
What a great sounding book, I need to get the first 2 in the series.
Sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.
Love the “bigger vehicle” solution. She’s sharp.
Grandmas just know. Had to laugh. Yes, we do! Sounds like a fun series.
This sounds like lots of fun, thanks for the intro.
I would love to read this. I like the cover, too!
This is a new-to-me series and author as well. Sounds like a fun read! Thanks Christina and Dru for the chance to win.
It sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to reading…
Have not read this author, but sounds like an interesting book. I like all the books Henery Press releases. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have been enjoying this series. Congrats on the new release
Sounds fun, it’s looks like I have a couple of them to catch up. Thanks for the chance to win.
With this being a granddaughter/grandmother story, I am definitely interested in starting this series. I don’t recall anytime recently where this scenario was written about and it is right up my lane as I have a granddaughter who also has a mind of her own too (but in a good way). Don’t they all? I also do crafts/beading/art and more so this will be a great series for me to follow. I would love to receive this book to start off this series too. So happy for Christina and her book release and wishing her many more book birthday’s in the coming months, years. Thank you.
really really need to start this series!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
My daughter and her grandmother were like peas in a pod, but as each got older and especially at this stage in life, it seems like they are not so much anymore. Maybe if they could find a hobby or something to share it would be better.
This sounds fantastic!!
You had me at “embellish.” Mosaics at the present with beading not far behind.
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