Read Online The Graves of the Guilty (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 3) by Ellery Adams - Free Book Online

all members of the family. More than once, Cooper had walked into Grammy’s room to find Little Boy, her enormous tailless tabby, licking her wrinkled face as she giggled with pleasure.
    “Have you eaten?” Maggie asked Lincoln and, without giving him a chance to reply, placed the last pork chop onto a clean plate and loaded the empty spaces with scoops of macaroni and butter beans.
    Lincoln accepted the laden dish gratefully. “Thanks, Mrs. Lee. I don’t think I’ve had a bite since breakfast.” He cast a sideways glance at Ashley. “It’s been a really hectic day at work.”
    “Poor dear.” Maggie shot both him and Ashley a warning look. “Sit down and fill your belly. Cooper? Get your brother-in-law a beer, would you, honey?”
    Grammy cleared her throat. “I might’ve polished off the last one this afternoon.”
    “Mama.” Earl’s tone had a reprimanding edge. “Did you at least wait ’til five?”
    “It’s my party and I’ll drink when I want to,” Grammy replied casually.
    Cooper laughed as she dug through the refrigerator and then stood up, holding the last bottle of Budweiser aloft in triumph. Earl and Grammy drank their beer right from the bottle, but Cooper suspected Ashley would prefer her husband’s beer to be served in a pint glass. While she poured, Cooper scrutinized Lincoln.
    Without a doubt, Lincoln Love was a handsome man. His all-American features—sandy brown hair, bright blue eyes, and boyishly rosy skin—didn’t look much the worse for wear. However, his conversation was more stilted than usual and his smile seemed forced.
    Cooper often felt like she didn’t truly know the man her sister had married, but until recently he’d always treated Ashley like a queen. Now, Cooper placed a tentative hand on Lincoln’s shoulder as she presented him with the cold glass of beer. He turned to her with a look of affection she’d never seen before. It was as if he were silently thanking her for coming to Ashley’s aid when he’d been unavailable.
    He’d barely taken a sip when Grammy slapped her napkin on the table and said, “Let’s get this present nonsense over with. Imagine! A woman my age gettin’ gifts. It’s damn foolish. Y’all should be savin’ your money, times bein’ tight as they are.”
    “You’re not going to spoil our fun. Anyhow, I know you’ll want these.” Maggie handed Grammy a birthday card. She sat back expectantly, but when Grammy opened the card and the strains of “Margaritaville” burst into the air, Maggie dug an elbow into Earl’s side. “I told you to get her the ‘Twist and Shout’ card!”
    Earl shrugged. “They all looked the same to me.”
    “Tickets to the Maymont Flower Show!” Grammy was thrilled. “Are you sellin’ your cookies there?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I was finally invited to be a vendor,” Maggie said proudly. “And I was hoping one of your granddaughters might take you around during setup. Then you can see everything without being jostled by the crowds.”
    “I bet my gardenin’ partner will take me.” Grammy winked at Cooper.
     “Of course I will.” Cooper smiled. “Maybe we can get some new ideas for the vegetable patch.”
    Next, Ashley placed an exquisitely wrapped box on the table in front of Grammy. The gigantic bow was tied so tightly that she couldn’t undo the knots, so Earl severed the beautiful satin with a quick stroke of his steak knife. Grammy placed the bow on her head, bowed jauntily, and tore the lovely floral paper.
    A delicate waft of perfume floated from within the box and when Grammy pulled out a rose-colored throw made from lush cashmere, everyone oohed and aahed. She’d also been given a pair of slippers and a scented neck wrap that could be heated in the dryer.
    “You’ll be warm and toasty for the rest of the winter,” Ashley said.
    Grammy smiled at her. “Thank you, darlin’, even though you went overboard as usual.”
    Ashley preened. Her gifts were always too extravagant, but