Casserole Casualty (Twister Sisters Mysteries Book 2) by Mildred Abbott

Author:Mildred Abbott [Abbott, Mildred]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications, LLC
Published: 2022-04-11T16:00:00+00:00

“Charlie…” I couldn’t say more—not because it was poor manners to speak with my mouth full, but because I couldn’t squeak out more than his name before I groaned in ecstasy and stared down at the plate.

Ursa nudged my elbow, nearly making me drop my fork in her determination to sample the bit of heaven I’d just experienced.

Beside me, Charlie grinned, suddenly looking like a proud little boy instead of a nearly seventy-year-old man. “Not shabby, huh?”

I swallowed. “Not shabby?” Desperate not to lose the flavor, I scooped another portion up to my mouth, groaned again, and then managed to speak, mouth full or not. “Does Wanda know you can cook like this? She’ll make you sell the auto shop and go to work for her.” I couldn’t hold back yet another groan. “You’ve been holding out.”

“Merely waiting for a special occasion.” He shrugged. “And I can’t take credit. I was friends with one of the chefs at Mandina’s, and they make the best trout almondine in New Orleans, probably anywhere. He gave me a lesson.”

The fried trout was covered in an almond butter sauce, the kind that definitely clogged your arteries but was worth every possible side effect. It all swam over thick, cheesy grits. I took another bite before I’d quite finished the other. “I’ve had grits my whole life.” I tapped the plate. “These aren’t Missouri grits.”

“No, ma’am, they’re not.” He grew ever more pleased but turned that beaming smile on Ursa as she resorted to nudging his arm, having given up on her mama. “Here.” With a chuckle, he tore off the edge of one of the dinner rolls and gave it to her. “Butter sauce is a little too rich for you, sweetheart.”

Ursa happily gulped down the roll, then cast me an accusatory glance from the corner of her eye—she wasn’t fooled, that nose of hers knew there was something greasier and meatier than bread just out of reach.

I leaned toward her, finally not speaking with my mouth full. “I’ll let you lick my plate when I’m done.”

“And that’s how a man knows his attempt to make a romantic dinner has gone dreadfully awry.” Charlie rolled his eyes indulgently. “When the beautiful woman lets the dog lick her fine china.”

“Fine china?” I scoffed. “I got these at Target when we drove into the city years ago. I didn’t even spring for the fancy set Amber Hunter sells at one of her shops downtown.”

“Even better.” Charlie winked, pulled off a little bit of white flaky trout and tossed it to Ursa. “We won’t make a habit of it, will we, girl?”

That time, when Ursa glared my way, there was complete accusation in her honey-brown depths.

“And just like that, my loyal dog shifts her allegiance from me to you.” I scowled at her playfully, then smiled over at Charlie, leaning nearer. “Not that I blame her. Thank you for this, it’s exquisite.”

“Exquisite.” Charlie hummed the word. “That’s a new one for me. I’ll take it.” He left his fork on his plate and grabbed my hand, growing serious.

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