Pray for Us Sinners, a Cozy Mystery (A Ronnie Lord Mystery, #2) (The Ronnie Lord Mysteries)
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Ronnie held back as Lew followed her sister, tugging at Ethan’s sleeve as he passed. “Give it up, old man,” she hissed in his ear, low enough so Nana, who had forged ahead, could not hear.
“Veronica Lord, what are you talking about?” Ethan frowned.
“Come off it. You had a golden opportunity to witness the Church’s head honcho, and you do nothing. I know your blood’s boiling, and you probably can’t wait to run to the nearest men’s room and wash your hand.” She caught a flash of yellow paper sticking out from his coat pocket and reached for it. “Aha!”
She expected a tract, but found only a folded-up hotel receipt, which Ethan took back.
“Thank you, Artful Dodger,” he said. They had reached the front now, and a roar from the crowd drowned out his next words as the Archbishop of Miami approached the sole microphone onstage.
Ronnie took a chair between him and Lew. “What did you say?” she demanded as the noise died.
“I said being a Christian sometimes means making sacrifices.” Ethan sat up straight. “I, for example, made a rather large one, but it’s small potatoes compared to your grandmother’s.”
“What? What’s Nana doing?” Ronnie asked, but the archbishop had announced the Pope and everybody on stage stood as the crowd cheered. The pontiff entered stage left, passing the large dais of area clergy and the Alger family, all of whom applauded.
Ronnie watched her grandmother watch the Pope’s every move with awe, and caught a blinding flash from the old woman’s hand.
She had not seen that ring on her grandmother’s hand before. A simple band with a solitary diamond.
Much like the one Lew had given her.
About the Author
L.K. Ellwood writes spicy romances and sassy mysteries. Her mystery Saints Preserve Us was awarded the Royal Palm Award for Best Published Mystery of 2003 by the Florida Writers Association.
A native of Florida, L.K. lives in the Mid-Atlantic area and finds the inspiration to write during long, leisurely walks along the Chesapeake Bay Shore. Find out more at leighwantsfood.blogspot.com.