Show Me Betrayal, page 26
They shared a smile.
“Speaking of traditions, tomorrow I’ll host my very first Thanksgiving in my new, old home. I pray this marks the beginning of a long line of Thanksgivings hosted by me. I’m quite proud.”
“You should be. Who’s invited besides me and Ross?”
“Since my family includes Nicole, Lee, and Claudia, and a million Schrader Aunts, uncles, and cousins, there will be a houseful of people I love. Also, Mrs. Sizemore will join us.”
“Has she thawed a little?”
Liesl nodded. “We’re going to be friends, real friends, one day. Joey Bauer will be with us too. He needs a family, and I have plenty to share.”
“I’m sure he appreciates all you’re doing for him.”
“It’s the giving that counts.”
She didn’t mention to Kurt that Justin was invited. He’d declined the invitation. His store is open on Thanksgiving, so he’d volunteered to work, giving some of his employees a day with their families.
They stood in the sun’s warmth, listening to the sounds of a laughing boy and a barking dog. Liesl felt joy in being comfortable with Kurt again. She was proud she’d moved past his former betrayal, and glad they were developing a fresh path together. Or perhaps reworking an old path to friendship. Either way, forgiveness was healing to the soul.
Author’s Note
The Victorian home featured in this book is in Mexico, Missouri, currently used as a bed-and-breakfast. Built in 1893, it was owned for many years by Allen Percival Green, founder of A. P. Green Refractories. At one time, the owners divided the home into apartments. Two sets of my aunts and uncles lived there when they were newlyweds. The house fell into disrepair when it was over one hundred years old. Lura Williams and Tim Williams purchased the home and refurbished it when I lived across the street from them. Their hard work to restore this beautiful gem inspired me to make it the home of Suzanne and Liesl.
An unsolved murder in 1937 of Mrs. Margaret Mortimer was the inspiration for the murder of Winnie Whitcomb.
Acknowledgments
My sincere appreciation goes to friends and family who encouraged my writing. I’m grateful to speakers and educators who helped me improve my ability. A special thank you to my writer critique groups over the years because we’ve shared a foxhole in the war of words.
A Heavenly thank you to Dusty Richards for his encouragement and wise counsel. Every writer needs a mentor like Dusty. I’ve no doubt Dusty has continued to support my dreams from Heaven.
I am indebted to Linda Fulkerson, owner of Scrivenings Press, who made my publishing dreams come true. For writers who dream of writing a book, you can accomplish anything when you believe in yourself, and you’re surrounded by people who believe in you. The proof of my dream is in your hands.
Special thanks to Dave (David) Snow, my Irish International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) friend and fellow author. You proved investigators could also write books. Also, thanks to Gertrud Sandstrom, my Swedish IASIU fellow board member, and another champion of my desire to write. Thank you for all your encouragement over the years.
Thanks to John Burnell, who read the first manuscript I completed. It was a humble work and unpublishable, but your encouragement led me to believe this book was possible. I’m grateful to Peggy Blanton for sharing some of her life experiences to make this book more realistic. My deep gratitude to Laura and Steve Erdel for the use of their lake house in Mexico, MO, to complete research and writing in our hometown.
Thank you to my Mexico, Missouri resources: Mexico-Audrain County Library District Assistant Director Mare Prosso; Audrain County Historical Society Executive Director Lori Pratt, Assistant Director Janice Robison and all the wonderful ladies associated with the Historical Society (Pam Singleton, Jackie Kauble, Morgan, Nan Cox, Sue Fennewald, and Consuelo Baum).
About Ellen E. Withers
Ellen E. Withers is a retired insurance fraud investigator, a background that provides the realism and intrigue found in her new dual-time mystery series, Show Me Mysteries. Set in Ellen’s picturesque hometown of Mexico, Missouri, each book features a historical structure, a dual-time plotline, and an intriguing mystery.
Ellen has earned over ninety awards for her short stories, including a prestigious Pushcart Prize nomination for published short fiction. She is a columnist for Writers Monthly PDF, a guide for professional writers about writing for contests. As a freelance writer, Ellen has written over seventy-five nonfiction articles published in local, regional, and international magazines.
Ellen serves as an officer of the Pioneer Branch of the National League of American Pen Women and is a board member of the Arkansas Writers Conference. She is a member of White County Creative Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Tornado Alley, a local chapter of SIC.
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Get your copy here:
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And since Private Investigator Mackenzie Love accepted the job for the defense and helped acquit Connor Davis, her friends and neighbors have placed her squarely in the enemy camp. Therefore, her overwhelming goal becomes to find out who killed Eleanor Davis.
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Ellen E. Withers, Show Me Betrayal
