A Grimm Legacy (Grimm Tales) (36 page)

“
I’ll come with you,” Andi’s mom said, struggling to make her rolling suitcase face the right direction.

Andi rolled her eyes.
“I’m going ten feet away. At some point you’re going to have to stop following me around like the secret service,” she said. “Come on Quinn,” she pulled her through the door before her mom could launch an argument.

Andi quickly shoved Quinn into a stall.

“And… what are we doing?” she asked, bemused.

“
Open your carry on,” Andi said, dragging her wedding dress out of her bag.

“
That is never going to fit in my bag.”

“
Give me the stuff from your bag then,” Andi said, muffled underneath the yards of satin.

“
When are you going to explain
why
we’re doing this?” Quinn asked, making a face as she put her stuff on the bathroom floor.

“
My parents can’t see it. I didn’t say anything about my… close call with matrimony, and they’d freak out if they knew.”

“
And you think my parents won’t?”

Andi gave her a pleading look.

“Fine, maybe Max will help me hide it,” she sighed. “Why did you even keep it?” Quinn asked. “Hold the sides together so I can zip it,” she instructed.

“
Andi?” her mom called.

“
I need you to sell it, the diamonds too,” Andi whispered, quickly throwing Quinn’s things in her bag and opening the bathroom stall. “We’re going to need some serious funds. And soon.”

Acknowledgements

As this two-year odyssey comes to a close, it occurred to me it took more time for this book to become a reality than it did for me to grow my children. There were also more people to help.

Thanks to my family: Jen, Jared, Jessie, and especially Mom and Dad. You were my earliest readers and continue to be my staunchest supporters. Book two will be available for your perusal soon.

Thank you to Krystin Bane for taking on the arduous task of being my first beta reader, editor, finder of writing contests, and all around book enthusiast. You also get credit for the title. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Ravven deserves heaps of thanks. First, for pulling me out of obscurity with her NaNoWriMo writing contest.  Second, for the cover design you all fell in love with if you’ve gotten this far into the book.

No one can spot a plot hole like Rabia Gale. Thanks for finding so many of mine.

This project would have never gotten this far without my fellow lovers-of-all-things-books at Patchwork Press. Kellie Sheridan—you continue to be my most ardent cheerleader. Your expertise and support were invaluable, and I’m still in awe at the sheer number of hours you dedicated to this project. Deepest thanks.

Erica Crouch, I know my work is in good hands with your sharp eye for missing commas, run on sentences, and stray homonyms. (Did you see I remembered the Oxford comma on that sentence? I can be taught.) That you chose to put your innumerable talents to work on my book makes me want to do a little happy dance.

Thanks to my kids: Joe, Ben, and Olivia. Things like clean laundry and home cooked meals were sometimes spotty, thanks for not holding it against me.

The biggest thanks goes to my husband, Ryan, who’s gentle and loving kick in the pants got me started. Through all the nights I buried my head in my computer, you never regretted the decision. I always felt your unwavering love and support, even if you were giving it with your eyes closed from the napping couch.

About the Author

Janna is a Colorado based YA author who loves a good fairy tale. She’s married to her own real life Prince Charming, and will usually admit to being mom of three, including her incorrigible middle child, Benny. Besides wrangling her kids she can be found doing some therapeutic baking, dreaming of the ocean, and of course, curling up with a good book.