“You’re in no condition to drive. You can stay the night on my couch if you like.”
Pixie shook her head, then put a hand to her temple-presumably to keep the room from spinning. “You live on the third floor. I can’t walk up that many steps when I’m this potted.”
“I’ll be heading home soon,” Michele said. “I’ll give her a lift. And I can pick her up tomorrow to go to work at Haven’t Got a Clue, too. I have a feeling we’re going to become good pals, Pixie.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “You must tell me where you got that dress. I’m sure it was lovely before you saved the day.”
“Yeah, it was a beaut. I can tell you all the best places to get vintage togs.”
“I guess I’d better get going, too,” Angelica said. She grabbed their coats from the bar stool next to her and passed Tricia’s along, then stooped to pick up Sarge. “Thanks for the drinks. Talk to you soon,” she told Michele, and headed out the door.
Tricia put on her coat. “I’ll second that. Let’s do lunch soon,” she told Michele, who was already collecting glasses and tidying up the bar.
Tricia picked up her flowers and allowed Baker to walk her across the street to Haven’t Got a Clue. She unlocked the door and realized she’d left the lights on hours before. Miss Marple got up from one of the chairs in the reader’s nook and scolded her for being away so long, while Baker closed the door behind them.
“Have some cookies. That will hold you while I say good night to Grant,” she told the cat, and rounded the beverage station’s counter to grab the bowl and bag of snacks she kept for emergency purposes.
“Does Grant
Tricia shook out half a bowl of treats and set them on the floor. Miss Marple wasn’t kidding about her hunger pangs. She dug in.
“Maybe we should talk about that,” Tricia said, resealing the bag of treats and putting them away. “I won’t deny it-I was hurt that you could even consider me a suspect in Pippa Comfort’s death.”
“And I explained more than once that I can’t be seen playing favorites. I owe it to the citizens of Stoneham to act above reproach.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Tricia muttered, and unfastened her coat. She went to hang it on the peg at the back of the shop, but Baker captured her arm and then drew her into an embrace. “We’re finally alone.”
Tricia wrapped her arms around him, looking squarely into his eyes. She
Baker cocked his head to one side. “Now, please tell me there are no other men in your past likely to surface any time soon.”
“Harry was definitely a thing of the past. But the funny thing is, he only took credit for one of the objects that came in the mail.”
Baker frowned. “What came in the mail?”
“Oh, trinkets. A picture. A cocktail napkin. A scarf. Harry took credit for only one of them.”
“Why don’t you tell me all about this over a drink?”
“I think I’ve reached my limit for the night.”
“Then how about a cup of coffee?” he countered.
“I can make coffee. I can make a damn
She wrinkled her nose and smiled at him, resting her forehead against his.
The door to Haven’t Got a Clue opened and a sandy-haired man stepped into the shop. “Tricia, where have you been?” he asked. “I’ve been parked on the street for hours waiting for you.”
Tricia’s heart began to pound as she recognized the man who stood in her doorway. Someone she hadn’t seen in more than three years-her ex-husband.
“Christopher?”
ANGELICA’S RECIPES
(Makes 2)
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Mix the melted butter and olive oil. Brush one side of five of the phyllo pastry sheets with the mixture and stack them on top of each other.
Saute the bell pepper, mushrooms, and onion with the sausage until the onion is clear, but not browned. Drain the fat and discard. Add oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
Spread half of the mixture over the surface of the stacked pastry, leaving a 2-inch margin all around. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Fold the short edges in and roll up from the long side like a jelly roll. Brush the surface with beaten egg and place on a well-greased baking sheet. Repeat the process with the other half of the ingredients to make a second strudel.
Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Let stand for a few minutes before slicing.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Line a baking tray with foil and cover with the saltine crackers. Boil the butter and brown sugar for 3 minutes, until frothy. Pour over the crackers.
Bake 5 minutes. The butter/sugar mixture will bubble. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the chocolate chips. Let set for 5 minutes. Spread the chocolate with a spatula and sprinkle with nuts, if using. (Gently press the nuts into the chocolate.) Refrigerate at least 1 hour; break into pieces. Refrigerate the leftovers…if there are any.
CREPES FLAMBE A L’ORANGE
