“I cook you special dinner for taking care of her,” Alice told her.
Gloria nodded. “Maybe later. I’m sure you want to get settled in.”
“Yes! I no like to fly.” Alice wagged her finger back and forth and frowned.
Gloria agreed. “Me either.”
The three of them wandered back to the front door where Andrea gave Alice the grand tour, proudly showing Alice her home – their home - now.
While Andrea settled Alice into her room, Gloria headed to the sun porch. She opened the carved French doors and took a step down onto the gleaming Saltillo tile.
Andrea’s decorating style was magnificent. The room was empty, but Gloria could envision it filled with green plants, warm, inviting furniture and cozy nooks, perfect for curling up in a comfy chair with a good book on a cold winter’s day.
Andrea caught up with her a few minutes later. “So what do you think?”
“I can picture the decor in my mind,” Gloria told her.
Her cell phone, which she’d tucked in her pocket, chimed. Paul had sent her a text to call. She looked up at Andrea. “I bet this is about Hank Johnson’s body.”
They headed to the living room and settled into the Victorian chairs perched in front of the massive fireplace.
Gloria dialed his number. When he picked up, she told him she had the speaker on so that Andrea could hear.
“Doc Decker had quite a story to tell,” Paul began. When Paul finished the story, Gloria asked what he thought would happen to Doc. He told her the same thing that he told Doc and Martha. That he thought they would show some leniency considering the only thing they could prove was he was an accessory to a crime. Nothing would happen to Martha since no one was certain that the nail in Hank’s skull was what killed him.
After they hung up, Gloria followed Andrea into the secret room behind the library. The one with the paintings. The girls were admiring the artwork when Alice wandered in.
“Look at these beautiful paintings,” she gushed. She touched the edge of one of the frames. “It’s a shame they sit in dis dark room and no one gets to enjoy them.”
Gloria had to agree. It was a shame to keep them hidden away.
Andrea touched the edge of one of the larger paintings. It was one of the Eiffel Tower. “Margaret called earlier. Her friend, the art gallery owner, is coming by tomorrow to take a look at them,” she explained.
Alice clapped her hands. “Oh! We have company coming? I make special lunch!”
Gloria had a thought. “Why not have a little party. You know - Garden Girls’ style. A tea party with little sandwiches. Then the girls can admire the artwork, too!”
Andrea slowly nodded. “That’s a wonderful idea. I can set up some tables in my new sunroom. Show off the addition plus show them the paintings.”
Alice’s mind was whirling. “I make every-ting from scratch,” she said.
“Now, Alice. These people are not used to the spicy stuff so we’ll have to go over the menu together,” Andrea told her gently.
Alice waved her arms. “No. They like my cooking. I promise,” she said.
Andrea and Alice walked Gloria to the door. When they opened it up, Brian was standing on the other side, his hand raised, ready to knock.
Andrea gave him a peck on the cheek. She stepped to the side so he could come in.
Alice was hanging back a bit. She’d heard Andrea mention her “friend” Brian several times. She knew he was an important part of her life. What Alice wasn’t expecting was how utterly handsome he was.
She sidestepped Andrea. Her chubby hand flew to her chest. Her chocolate brown eyes widened. “Holy guaperas!” She grabbed his hand and brought it to her face. She rubbed the palm of his hand across her cheek and gazed into his eyes. “I am in love!” she declared.
Andrea giggled. “She said you were hot,” she informed Brian.
Brian was eating it up. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I think I just died and went to heaven!”
Alice’s head twisted to the side. Her eyes narrowed. “Why you no tell me he dis good looking?” she demanded.
She turned back to her dream man. “You make beautiful babies,” she decided.
Brian smiled. His eyes met Andrea’s. “You hear that? We’d make beautiful babies,” he teased.
It took a few minutes before Andrea was finally able to pry Alice away from Brian. But not by much. Several times Alice she reached over and rubbed his arm or touched his back. Brian didn’t seem to mind one iota.
Finally, she told them she was going to run into the kitchen and fix a snack. She batted her eyes at her new love. “I bring you something extra special,” she promised.
Andrea watched her retreat to the kitchen. She shook her head. “I have never seen her go gaga over a male before.” She tipped her head to the side. “I can see I’ll have to keep an eye on you two.”
She grabbed Brian’s hand. “Come see the new addition.” Andrea led him into the newly finished sunroom. Brian leaned back on his heels and crossed his arms. “They did a beautiful job. This looks great.”
As they wandered around the room, Andrea had an idea. “What do you think about me turning this into a tea room? You know, small café tables overlooking the gardens.”
Gloria slowly nodded. “You could display all of those magnificent paintings. It would be an honor in Sofia Masson’s name. I think she would be thrilled to know her paintings were being admired and enjoyed.”
Brian agreed. “Great idea.”
Andrea tapped the side of her face. “But what should I call it? Magnolia Tea Room? Lake Terrace Tea Room?” The house was close to the lake although not technically on the lake - but the house was on Magnolia Street. “I like Magnolia Tea Room,” she decided.
Alice stepped into the room with a tray, a teakettle and an array of bite-size treats. Gloria picked one up and inspected it. It looked like a crostini or baguette with salsa on top. “I did not have time to make anything else,” Alice apologized.
“These look tasty,” Gloria reassured her. She nibbled on the edge. Thankfully, it wasn’t super-spicy. It was tasty though - like homemade salsa with lots of cilantro. “Delicious.”
Brian took a big bite. He nodded his head. “Very good,” he told her.
Alice’s cheeks warmed. She nodded and turned to Andrea. “See? They like it!”
Andrea nodded. “Alice is an excellent cook. You just have to watch her. She likes to make stuff HOT.”
She changed the subject. “What do you think about opening a tea room?”
Alice set the tray on the table nearby and picked up a crostini. She took a bite and gave a thumbs up. “Oh! You mean like little snacks on fancy plates?”
“Something like that,” Andrea answered.
Brian devoured a few more of the bite-size morsels and downed his tea. “I have to get back to the store.”
Alice’s face fell. “You leave me already?”
Brian bent down and hugged her. “I’ll be back,” he promised.
“I need to get going, too,” Gloria said. She followed Brian outside. “I’ll see you tomorrow for a practice run in the tea room?”
Andrea nodded. She rubbed her hands together in glee. “I can hardly wait!”
Gloria opened the car door and slid inside. She watched as Andrea and Alice headed back indoors.
The feisty woman had Gloria’s seal of approval. Alice would make a great addition to Belhaven. She had a hunch the little ball of fire was going to fit in JUST fine!
The end.
Cheddar Cheese Chicken Bake Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 egg
1 tbsp milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup Chex rice cereal (or any other crispy rice cereal)
Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Coat a medium baking dish with 1/4 cup melted butter
-In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning
-In a second bowl, beat together the egg and milk
-In a third bowl, mix the cheese and cereal
-Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture
-Dip in the egg mixture
-Press in the cheese/cereal mixture to coat
-Arrange in the prepared baking dish.
-After all of the chicken pieces have been coated and are in the baking dish, drizzle 2 tablespoons melted butter evenly over the top.
Bake 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until coating is golden brown and chicken juices run clear.
Serve with a side of red roasted potatoes (coated in olive oil and Italian seasoning) and baked in oven!
About The Author
Hope Callaghan is an author who loves to write Christian books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books. Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband.
She is the proud mother of one daughter and a stepdaughter and stepson. When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.
Hope loves to connect with her readers!
Visit hopecallaghan.com for information on special offers and soon-to-be-released books!
Email: [email protected]
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/hopecallaghanauthor
Other Books by Author, Hope Callaghan:
DECEPTION CHRISTIAN MYSTERY SERIES:
Waves of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 1
Winds of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 2
Tides of Deception: Samantha Rite Series Book 3
GARDEN GIRLS CHRISTIAN COZY MYSTERIES SERIES:
Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mysteries Boxed Set Books 1-4
Who Murdered Mr. Malone? Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 1
Grandkids Gone Wild: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 2
Smoky Mountain Mystery: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 3
Death by Dumplings: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 4
Eye Spy: Garden Girls Mystery Series Book 5
Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 06 - Magnolia Mansion Mysteries Page 15
