Page 24 of Maple Sugar Mix-Up
And they were great.
My mother was just as impressed as I was.
Then we figured it out.
Working together, whenever Jace was at work, my mother and I typed up and edited Nana’s book. We plotted and wove in the major elements Jace had added, going so far as to include some of his scenes. A lot of them didn’t even need major changes; the alpha had a knack for writing mysteries.
My due date had nearly arrived when we finally had the book where we wanted it. I paid for a rush cover job and waited eagerly for Jace to get home.
“I have a present for you,” I announced.
“Baby come early?” he joked, joining me on the couch with a kiss.
“Ha. Ha,” I deadpanned. “If you aren’t there with me during delivery, I will be very upset.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he promised.
“Here.”
Curiously, he took the package from me. “Let me guess, the newest Victoria Peppers?” he teased, feeling the wrapped gift. “I thought you had writer’s block.”
“I was inspired,” I said simply.
Jace smiled and tore it open. “Nice cover,” he said. “The Mystery of the… this is one of the ones Grandma had!” he cried out as he read the title.
I nodded, hardly able to contain a grin.
“It wasn’t finished though.”
“Youfinished it,” I said, practically holding my breath.
“What?” he choked.
I took a deep breath. “Mom and I have been editing it,” I said. “We reworked some of it but… but we went with your suspect and included a lot of your work. Congratulations, you’re a book father,” I said. “And the newest Victoria Peppers.”
Jace’s jaw dropped. “What…”
“And…” I hesitated.
“And?” he prompted.
“I thought, since you contributed so much to this, and kept it safe for so long and in such good condition… I thought that the royalties should be yours.”
His eyes widened and all he could do was whisper, “What?!”
“I want you to have the royalties. I mean, it won’t matter once we combine everything. But… this way you can contribute, really contribute to us financially. In fact, Mom and I were so impressed, we wanted to ask if you’d co-write more with us.”
“Ashton, I…”
“You’re not upset are you? I know you don’t want handouts.”
“No, no, I’m not upset. Stunned, but not… I mean, this is so generous. It’s your work, your grandmother’s…”
“It’s yours now too,” I said. “You’re part of the family.” I put a hand on my stomach and felt a kick. “And it’s his legacy too.”
He pressed a hand over mine. “Gods, I love you.”
“I love you too. Grab my laptop, will you?”
