Intermezzo: Family Matters by Patrice Greenwood

Author:Patrice Greenwood [Greenwood, Patrice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, tea, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Wisteria Tearoom
ISBN: 978-1-61138-771-1
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Published: 2018-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

5

Monday morning, after sending Tony off to work with a travel mug full of hot coffee, I bundled up and went for a walk to the post office. In my pocket were four handwritten invitations to the New Year’s Day brunch: one for Tony’s mother, one for his abuela, one for his sister, and one for Nat, Manny, and Joe. Just family, for now. The word would spread soon enough, among my acquaintances anyway.

The morning was brisk, with the smell of piñon smoke on the chilly breeze that stirred the cottonwoods’ bare branches. I felt content.

Tony and I had spent Sunday evening planning the brunch menu. I’d wanted to make eggs Benedict, but Tony pointed out that I’d be cooking during the party if I did that. I compromised with spinach and mushroom frittata, almond pastries, and fruit salad, all of which could be prepared in advance. Tony added bacon and toast to the menu, and we rounded it out with coffee and champagne. I had written out the invitations formally in my best cursive on my favorite note paper. Miss Manners, I felt, would have been proud.

Walking home after dropping them in the outgoing mail, I smiled to myself, remembering waking up in Tony’s arms. I had finally had a chance to model the negligee for him.

I hadn’t worn it very long.

As I walked up my driveway, crunching the snow that had partially thawed and then refrozen overnight, I saw lights on in the kitchen. My car was the only one parked behind the house, so Julio must have been dropped off by his roommate.

Or walked, but that was less likely. I wasn’t exactly sure how close his new home was to the tearoom, but it seemed to be farther than his previous apartment, because he hadn’t ridden his bike to work since he’d moved.

Or maybe there were other reasons for that. Owen did have a very nice car, after all.

None of my business.

Letting myself in the kitchen, I found Julio up to his elbows in flour, making scones for the week. He glanced up at me with a smile.

“Hey, boss. How was Christmas?”

“Restorative,” I said after a microsecond’s pause. “I hope you had a good rest.”

Julio became intently interested in measuring dry ingredients for a moment, but I glimpsed his grin before he ducked his head.

“Kris coming in today?” he asked as he emptied his measuring cup into the food processor.

“I’m not sure,” I said. Kris usually worked Monday afternoons and Saturday mornings, but I would not have been surprised (or upset) if she had decided to extend her holiday. “Why, do you need something?”

“I got a text. The dairy order won’t be here until tomorrow.”

“Ai! Do you have enough butter and cream?”

“Cream’s fine. Might be some butter in the freezer.”

“I’ll check.”

The big walk-in freezer let out a gust of frosty air as I opened it. Maybe hot chocolate would be a good idea, I decided as I peered at the shelves, seeking butter. I finally spied the rectangular blocks—two of them—and carried one out.

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