Rocky Road

by Josi S. Kilpack

  Caro began to slow the car down, and then she pulled in front of a modest home, xeriscaped like some of its neighbors, with a bright floral wreath hanging on the front door and a collection in the yard of bikes, scooters, and toys fading in the desert sun. It was six o’clock in the evening, and the temperatures were still in the low nineties.

  “Shoot, I’d meant to stop and get a hostess gift,” Sadie said as they got out of the car.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Caro said, waving off Sadie’s concerns. “Tess’s very easy-going.”

  Easy-going or not, Sadie would still have felt better if she’d had something in hand. Like bubble bath or a nice salami. A friend from Colorado Springs had once given Sadie a box of Swiss chocolates when she’d stayed overnight for a wedding in Garrison. Sadie had told her she was welcome back anytime. Because Sadie didn’t carry a purse, her hands felt even more conspicuously empty. She’d lost and replaced so many purses in the last few years that she didn’t bother carrying one any more unless she had to. She kept her phone in one pocket and a slim wallet with her ID and a credit card in another, and that was it. But there was nothing to do about a gift for Tess now. The best she could hope for was to learn from this and be more prepared next time.

  They knocked on the front door and a girl about six years old opened it a minute later. She had dark hair like Caro’s, but lighter skin and hazel eyes, which led Sadie to assume that Tess’s husband was Caucasian. The little girl wore a fairy costume, complete with wire-rimmed wings, one of which was bent at the top. The smell of bread came through the doorway, and Sadie took a deep breath—dinner rolls, perhaps? She hadn’t felt particularly hungry when they’d left the hotel, but she was suddenly starving. Especially for home-cooked food, which Sadie had enjoyed very little of in recent weeks.

  “Hey, there, Gabby,” Caro said to the little girl.

  “Hi,” Gabby said shyly, pulling against the door and looking carefully back and forth at the two women.

  “This is my friend Sadie,” Caro said, waving a hand in Sadie’s direction. “We get to have dinner at your house tonight.”

  Gabby nodded, looked between them again, and then turned and ran back into the house, calling for her mom. Her wings bounced behind her as she made her retreat.

  A woman immediately appeared at the end of the short hallway, drying her hands on a dishcloth and smiling widely as she walked toward them. “Hello!” she said, opening her arms, one hand still holding the dishcloth, and giving Caro a big hug before turning to Sadie with a smile. Her dark hair was cut short in a spiky modern style. Her build was thicker than Caro’s, but she had similar curves and dark Latina coloring. She wore a bright pink fitted T-shirt and denim capris, with no shoes but glittery toenails that matched her shirt. “I am so glad to meet you, Sadie. Caro has told me so much about you and we have so much to talk about.”

  Sadie kept her smile in place and hoped Tess wasn’t referring to the investigation Sadie had nipped in the bud.

  Tess turned back the way she’d come and waved for them to follow her. “Dinner’s just about ready,” she said.

  She headed down the hallway, obviously expecting Sadie and Caro to follow her, which they did. The house was painted in rich tones of brown and terra-cotta. Above a table in the entryway were the words “Live well. Laugh often. Love much.” Knowing Tess’s medical history made the words more poignant.

  Sadie stayed a step behind Caro as they entered the kitchen, which was located in the center of the house. Tess went to the stove, and Gabby sat at the counter coloring in a coloring book and watching them shyly. Sadie could hear a TV in another room.

  “Can we help with anything?” Caro asked.

  “Oh, no,” Tess said, waving off the suggestion as she put on a pair of oven mitts that had seen better days. The kitchen was cluttered but not uncomfortably so. “Paul’s finishing up dinner and I already set the table.” Sadie’s glance followed the wave of Tess’s hand. She saw a perfectly set table and, through the sliding glass door beyond the table, a man bent over what looked like a fire pit built into the back patio.

  “Did Paul do one of his Dutch oven dinners?” Caro asked. The excitement in her voice caught Sadie’s attention almost as much as the words “Dutch oven” did. Sadie had eaten meals cooked in those large cast-iron pots, though she’d never cooked in them herself. She knew that they had a unique way of capturing the heat produced by coals or charcoal, creating a self-contained “oven.” What a fun way to kick off her trip!

  “Oh, he’s always looking for an excuse,” Tess said as she pulled open the oven door. “And as long as he’s willing to put up with the heat to do it, I’m always game.”

  “Mmmmm,” Caro said. “I still remember that stew he made last year.”

  “Wait until you have this, then,” Tess said as she removed a pan of rolls—perfectly golden brown—from the oven and set it on the stovetop. This meal was looking better and better. “It’s a recipe his dad used to make, but he’s changed it up a little and it’s so good.”

  Sadie continued to watch Paul—though she hadn’t been formally introduced to him—through the glass as Tess explained his love for Dutch oven cooking and how he was looking to turn it into a side business. Paul straightened, and Sadie hurried to open the door for him. “Thank you,” he said. He had the same hazel eyes Sadie had seen on his daughter, and a kind face. “I’m Paul, but my hands are covered with charcoal so I won’t make you shake them.”

  Sadie smiled. “I’m Sadie, Caro’s friend. Nice to meet you.” She closed the door behind him.

  “I think we’re ready,” he announced to the group.

  “Great,” Tess said, putting the last of the rolls in a basket lined with a flour sack towel. “Gabby, go get your brother for the prayer.”

  Gabby did as she was asked and returned with Paul and Tess’s son, Ryan, who looked ten or eleven years old. He said a prayer over the food, and then Paul instructed everyone to pick up their plates from the table and come outside to be served. Sadie had to stop herself from being the first in line and graciously let the children go in front of her.

  As soon as she stepped outside, the heat was forgotten because of the amazing smells coming from the two Dutch ovens. One had chicken in it and the other a potato casserole. Sadie had to swallow in order to keep her enthusiasm in check. Really, her food obsession was a bit out of hand.

  “This is wonderful,” Sadie said after Paul slid into his seat at the head of the table. She’d already enjoyed a few bites of both chicken and potatoes, and they were delicious.

  Paul grinned his appreciation for the compliment but said nothing, probably because his mouth was full. She waited for him to finish before asking about the recipe, which he said he’d be happy to share. She committed to buy a Dutch oven and make it for Pete. Maybe after they were married. Zing.

  “Oh, I forgot the rolls.” Tess jumped up and headed for the kitchen, returning seconds later with the basket of rolls that completed the meal perfectly. She also put a small bowl of what looked like strawberry cream cheese in the center of the table.

  “When we got married, Paul’s mom gave me a whole cookbook full of her family’s favorite recipes, including this one,” Tess explained as she returned to her seat. “It’s from a restaurant called Maddox in northern Utah—that’s where Paul’s from. The rolls are especially good with raspberry butter.”

  Raspberry butter, not strawberry cream cheese.

  Sadie was happy to sample a roll. She spread both halves with a generous helping of the raspberry butter. “These are delicious,” she said one bite later. “Is it a batter roll?” It was so light it couldn’t possibly be from a traditional kneaded dough.

  “It is a batter roll. They’re my go-to roll recipe—so easy to whip up and so good. I’m glad you like them.”

  “I like everything. Thank you both for your efforts.”

  “Sadie’s a bit of a foodie,” Caro explained with a teasing smile in Sadie’s direction.

&nbs
p; “And a very, very happy one right now,” Sadie added, causing the adults to chuckle. She was soon lost in the joys of really excellent home-cooked food.

  For the next twenty minutes, the group ate and talked and got to know each other. As soon as dinner was over, the kids disappeared outside with Paul to clean up while the three women cleared the table and stored the leftovers. Tess put the last four rolls into a zippered plastic bag for Sadie and Caro to take to the hotel to eat later. Sadie was overjoyed! Would it be rude to ask for some raspberry butter, too?

  The three women worked together like a well-oiled machine. When the kitchen was clean, Tess pulled out a half-gallon of vanilla bean ice cream and asked Caro to get a jar of hot fudge out of the fridge. Paul and the kids weren’t ready for dessert yet, so Tess, Caro, and Sadie made only three hot fudge sundaes for themselves.

  “So,” Tess said with a glint in her eye after they sat around the table again. “Are you ready to discuss the case? I have the layout for the scrapbook all worked out and ready to go—now I just need the info to fill it with.”

  Breading:

  1 1/2 cups flour

  1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

  2 teaspoons salt

  2 1/2 teaspoons paprika

  1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

  3/4 teaspoons red pepper powder

  1 teaspoon turmeric

  1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  Combine breading ingredients and coat 18 pieces (approximately 4 pounds) split boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

  Brown breaded chicken in skillet in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. When browned, place chicken in 12-inch Dutch oven. Cover and cook over low heat 2 to 3 hours. Check occasionally; if contents are too dry, the pot is too hot. Do not stir. When chicken is tender, serve as desired. (Chicken may tenderize in pan for approximately 1 hour.)

  Slow cooker directions: Place 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in bottom of slow cooker before adding browned chicken. Cook 2 to 4 hours on low heat setting.

  Oven directions: Place browned chicken in 9x13-inch pan, cover with foil, and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

  Makes 18 servings.

  1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup (or any cream soup or homemade white sauce)

  8 pounds potatoes, unpeeled and sliced 1/3-inch thick

  3 medium onions, finely chopped

  2 pounds cheddar cheese, sliced or grated

  Salt, to taste

  Pepper, to taste

  1/2 (1-ounce) packet ranch dressing mix, blended with 2 tablespoons water (mixture should be thick, like condensed soup)

  Spread undiluted soup over bottom of Dutch oven. Fill oven 1/3 full with sliced potatoes. Add a layer of 1/3 of the chopped onions; sprinkle with salt & pepper. Add two more layers of potatoes, onions, salt, and pepper; top with ranch dressing mixture.

  Place over low heat about 2 hours, being careful not to let potatoes burn; stir every 30 minutes. If potatoes seem dry, the pot is too hot. If potatoes on bottom of pot burn, do not disturb them—the rest of the potatoes may still be enjoyed without tasting the burned ones.

  When potatoes are tender, cover with ½ of the cheese. When cheese is melted, stir potatoes a final time. Just before serving, add remaining cheese; allow cheese to melt and serve this delicious dish.*

  Feeds about 18 adults as a side dish.

  *When potatoes are tender, serve within 10 minutes or dish will turn mushy.

  Note: One-half or one-third of this recipe may be made in a slow cooker. Grease slow cooker before adding ingredients as listed. Cook 2 hours on high heat setting before adding1/2 of the cheese, stirring, and then adding additional cheese.

  The Maddox Ranch House is located in Perry, Utah.

  1 tablespoon active dry yeast or instant yeast

  1/4 cup warm water

  1/4 cup sugar

  1/3 cup shortening

  1 teaspoon salt

  3/4 cup scalded milk*

  1/2 cup cold water

  2 eggs, beaten

  3 1/2 cups flour

  For regular yeast: In small bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water; set aside. In separate larger bowl, combine sugar, shortening, and salt; mix well. Add scalded milk, cold water, and beaten eggs; mix about 1 minute, or until well combined. Stir in dissolved yeast. Add flour. Mix four minutes.

  For instant yeast: In mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon yeast, sugar, and salt; mix well. Add shortening, eggs, scalded milk, and 3/4 cup hot water; mix 2 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups flour; mix 2 minutes more. (This is a “batter” roll rather than a “dough” roll. Batter will be soft.)

  When ingredients are combined, cover bowl; let batter rise in warm place 45 to 60 minutes, or until doubled in size. Stir batter down. Spoon into greased muffin tins, filling 18 muffin cups about 2/3 full. Cover; let rise an additional 45 to 60 minutes, or until double in size.

  Bake at 400 degrees 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.

  Makes 18 rolls.

  *Evaporated milk may be substituted for scalded milk.

  1/2 cup butter

  1/4 cup raspberry jam

  1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Makes about 3/4 cup.

  Chapter 4

  Sadie had almost forgotten about the investigation, and neither she nor Caro answered Tess immediately. Not seeming to notice their hesitation, Tess turned toward Caro and continued. “Remember that list we made of people who could be good sources of information? Well, you’ll never guess who’s in town and possibly available for an interview. I almost didn’t put her on the list because I thought it was such a long shot.”

  Suddenly the ice cream wasn’t quite so delicious. Sadie put down her spoon.

  “Uh, who?” Caro asked. Sadie lamented the missed opportunity to let Tess down from the start.

  “Lori Hendricks,” Tess said. She looked back and forth between Sadie and Caro, her eyes showing that this name should mean something to them. “Dr. H’s ex-wife. Nikki’s ward is hosting the memorial luncheon and Lori’s helping with it.”

  “Ward?” Sadie couldn’t help but ask. “Who’s Nikki?”

  “Oh, uh, a ward is what we call a Mormon congregation,” Tess said.

  “Nikki Waters is Dr. Waters’s wife,” Caro said, turning to Sadie. “He and Dr. Hendricks were partners at the clinic and the foundation.”

  “That’s sure nice of Nikki’s congregation to head up the luncheon,” Sadie said.

  “Mormons do that kind of thing all the time, and Dr. H was a member of the Church, just not active.” Tess leaned closer to Caro and Sadie. “But the fascinating part is that Lori’s helping with the luncheon. She’ll even be at the church tonight. So I told Nikki we’d love to help set up. It might create an opportunity to talk to Lori, right? And maybe Nikki, too.”

  “Uh,” Caro stalled, shooting a look at Sadie.

  Tess continued, still not properly interpreting the lack of response to her enthusiasm. “Lori’s son, Joey, was in Ryan’s first grade class—that was before Lori and Dr. H divorced—and Lori and I did an art council fund-raiser together. It’s that whole foot-in-the-door thing you were talking about, Caro, you know? I’m still friends with her on Facebook and now she’s in town. Isn’t that great?”

  “Well,” Caro started. “I’m not—”

  “And I told Nikki about the scrapbook idea and she loved it. She’s going to talk to Dr. Waters about sharing some of his memories for it.”

  When neither Sadie nor Caro made any comment, Tess sat back in her chair a little and drew her eyebrows together, finally recognizing that something was wrong. “Why aren’t you excited about this?”

  “Actually,” Caro said slowly, saving Sadie the trouble of bursting Tess’s balloon of anticipation. “There’s been a bit of a change of plans.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I talked to Sadie,” she motioned toward Sadie, and Sadie tried not to shrink back when Tess t
urned her confused look in her direction. “And she thought that we should turn the pictures over to the police and let them follow the leads. Ya know, since they’re already involved and everything. The pictures are probably evidence.”

  Probably? Sadie repeated in her mind.

  Tess was quiet for a few seconds and put her spoon down on the table. “You mean, you don’t want us to look into this on our own like we talked about?”

  Caro shifted her weight in her seat and looked at her ice cream. “Well, uh ...”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Sadie said, attempting a rescue for poor Caro. “It could be considered interfering with a police investigation, which is why we took all the articles and pictures to the police department on the way here, so they can evaluate them and use them toward their own investigation.”

  “You took them to the police?” Tess lifted her eyebrows and looked back and forth from Sadie to Caro in shock.

  “It’s a police investigation,” Sadie repeated. “And I’m certain they will appreciate you guys helping them out.” She smiled in an effort to lighten the mood of the conversation.