Page 19 of Maple Sugar Mix-Up
“It’s um…”
Ashton laughed. “Not ostentatious?”
“Yeah…”
He grinned and started to open his door. I hurried around to meet him and help him out and onto his crutches.
“Thanks,” he said, trying to get his balance.
“This is really cute.” I gestured to the house.
“Well, my books didn’t start selling until about ten years ago. I grew up pretty simply and I don’t want to let the money go to my head. And I don’t want Vicki spoiled either; although she certainly gets her way a lot.”
I laughed, but liked the sentiment.
“Thanks for getting me home,” Ashton said as we went inside.
“Not a problem.”
“Daddy!” squealed a voice. An adorable girl flew around the corner and flung herself into Ashton’s arms. I tensed, ready to help support him if he lost his balance.
“Hey, sweet-pea,” he said, hugging her.
“Are you okay?” she asked, eyeing his cast.
“I’m just fine.”
Vicki turned her eyes to me suspiciously. “Who is he?”
“This is Jace. He’s my uh… he’s the one who made the maple candy!”
“Oo, that was delicious!” Vicki cried. “Do you have more?” she asked me.
“I’m afraid not,” I chuckled.
She turned back to Ashton. “Grandma says there’s a problem with the print run. But she is taking care of it, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Victoria!” scolded a woman. She hurried over and shooed the girl off toward another doorway. “Go play.” She quickly turned back to Ashton. “Your mother says it’s fine, nothing to worry about it.”
“I better go see.” Ashton started off and the woman threw up her hands.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” I offered, hurrying after him. She shot me an appreciative glance, then chased after Vicki.
I followed Ashton around a corner and into a huge room lined with bookshelves. “Wow,” I breathed as I took it all in.
He hobbled over to a large stack of boxes, pried one open, and pulled out a book, muttering to himself.
Not wanting to intrude, I made my way over to a shelf to take a look. My eyes widened as I took in what looked like every single Victoria Peppers novel ever written.
“I take it you’re a Victoria Peppers fan?” I asked. “She’s my favorite author.”
Ashton chuckled. “You could say that. The original, anyway.”
“Oh yeah? I actually really like the new ones. I think her daughter writes them now?” I felt a little embarrassed that I couldn’t recall the details about my favorite author – make that, authors. “My favorite one might actually be the one that came out last year.The Case of the Lost…” I trailed off as I came to another shelf.
This floor-to-ceiling shelf was full of Victoria Peppers books too, except it was the same book. Dozens and dozens of brand new copies of the exact same book.
“What…”
