“I brought my homemade cabbage and noodles,” Dernice said.
“Now that I will most definitely have to try.” Carlita juggled the baskets of fresh dinner rolls and rushed through the kitchen doors, nearly colliding with Pete, who was the last to arrive and bearing a bouquet of fall flowers.
“Let me help.” He grabbed one of the baskets and followed Carlita to the table.
“Thank you.” Carlita placed the rolls on the table and eyed the flowers. “Flowers again? You’re going to spoil me.”
“You’re onto my secret plan.” Pete sneaked in a quick kiss. “You’ve got quite a crowd.”
“I do. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Annie Dowton cornered Pete to discuss the sale of his ranch. Carlita’s other guests gathered in small groups, chatting while Tony and Shelby made their rounds greeting everyone and offering them beverages.
Satisfied everything was ready to go, Carlita slipped back into the dining room and stood watching from the doorway. Her throat clogged as she gazed around the room at her family and friends.
A feeling of melancholy filled her as she thought about her husband, Vinnie, and her other children and grandchildren who weren’t there.
Pete caught her eye and wandered over. He leaned in and squeezed her hand. “Everything looks lovely, lass. You outdid yourself.”
“Thanks. I…it was a labor of love. I’m so glad everyone could make it.” Her eyes drifted to Elvira, who was talking with Cool Bones. “Even Elvira, I suppose.”
“She considers you family.”
“She said as much.”
“I was shocked to hear her daughter killed the Tybee Island woman.”
“I was too. I’m still shaking my head over that one.”
“Luigi told me he likes his job working for EC Security Services, that they’re keeping him on.”
“Yes. Much to Elvira’s dismay. For some reason, the two of them are like oil and water, constantly butting heads.”
“Perhaps they’re too much alike,” Pete guessed.
“Could be. They’re both bullheaded and impulsive.”
“It sounds like a match made in heaven.”
“Doesn’t it?”
Carlita enlisted the help of her children, who followed her into the kitchen. They each grabbed a dish or tray of food and carried them into the dining room.
Byron joined them. “Let me help.”
“Then, you get the honor of carrying the turkeys.” Violet, who began following Byron around from the moment he arrived, tagged along behind him.
Tray after tray of food was carried to the long L-shaped dinner table until there wasn’t an empty spot left.
Carlita motioned to Pete. “I need to get everyone’s attention.”
“Can I do the honors?” Pete asked.
“Yes. Of course.”
Pete lifted a glass and lightly tapped the side with a fork. “Attention, everyone.”
The room grew quiet.
“Thank you to the Garlucci family for inviting us to this Thanksgiving Day celebration. We all have so much to be thankful for – for God’s blessing and to live in this beautiful City of Savannah.”
“We most certainly do,” Carlita’s eyes burned as she blinked back sudden tears.
Tony lifted his goblet of water. “Here’s to family and friends.”
Carlita lifted her glass. “To family and friends,” she echoed. “Now, let’s eat.”
The end.
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Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series
A lonely widower finds new purpose for her life when she and her senior friends help solve a murder in their small Midwestern town.
Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series
A recently divorced senior lands her dream job as Assistant Cruise Director onboard a mega passenger cruise ship and soon discovers she’s got a knack for solving murders.
Divine Cozy Mystery Series
After relocating to the tiny town of Divine, Kansas, strange and mysterious things begin to happen to businesswoman, Jo Pepperdine and those around her.
Samantha Rite Mystery Series
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Sweet Southern Sleuths Short Stories Series
Twin sisters with completely opposite personalities become amateur sleuths when a dead body is discovered in their recently inherited home in Misery, Mississippi.
Meet Hope Callaghan
Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books. She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.
In March 2017, Hope won a Mom’s Choice Award for her book, “Key to Savannah,” Book 1 in the Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Series.
Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.
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Eggplant Parmesan Recipe
(Shared by Barbara Tooley)
Ingredients:
3 eggplants, peeled and thinly sliced
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
6
