The Missing Ingredient (A Chandler County Novel) by Debbie White

Author:Debbie White
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Debbie White

Chapter 16

Kari sat in the small but sturdy green velvet chair with her hands holding the purple binder tightly in her lap. She tapped the vinyl binder softly. Softly spoken words could be heard from a distance. After that, sounds of footsteps walking toward her, and after that, a small statured woman smiling at her stood front and center holding out her hand.

“Hello, Kari. Cora Johnson,” the woman said as she shook Kari’s hand.

“It is so nice to meet you,” Kari said.

“Please,” she said motioning to another area of the house. “Let’s have our meeting in the other room. I believe Julie is going to sit in with us as well. She’s just finishing up with another vendor.” The woman smiled. Kari didn’t know what else to do so she smiled back. The competition was healthy, right? She pondered.

The large room was decorated with high end pieces of furniture, art, and fancy chandeliers. Kari was accustomed to nice things, so this didn’t intimidate her one bit. In fact, she was quite comfortable. And to show just how comfortable she was, she walked over to the oil painting that hung over the fireplace admiring the beautiful detail and colors. “Helen M. Turner was a fabulous artist, wasn’t she?” Kari asked turning back toward Cora.

Cora blinked once and then spoke. “Why yes. So you know art?”

Kari nodded. “Yes, I do.” Is all she said.

A small noise of chatter and clatter of shoes had both women look over toward the cased opening that led from the room to an exterior hallway. In bounced a beautiful blonde. Kari knew instantly it was Julie.

“Julie, darling. This is Kari Brinks. The one I told you I contacted,” Cora said opening her arms to her daughter.

Kari walked away from the mantel and took her seat. She felt it was necessary to get going with the presentation why her confidence was still riding high.

Kari handed the binder over to the two women. “I’ve put together a portfolio of recipes with pictures of some of the dishes I’m famous for.”

“You’re famous?” Julie asked as she and her mother exchanged glances.

Kari cleared her throat. “Well…not in the sense of well-known, but where I lived in California I was known as the hostess with the mostest,” Kari laughed at her own stupid rhyme.

The women started to flip through the pages. Kari studied their faces hard for any reaction. They just continued to flip the pages.

At one point she noticed Julie pointing at one page. Cora shook her head. Then turned the page. Cora pointed at something, and her eyes lit up, Julie frowned. Kari could see what was happening here. Julie was not going to be able to decide on her own reception dishes.

Kari cleared her throat.

“As I mentioned, these are just a sampling. You’re welcome to add your own. Maybe you have a family favorite?”

Julie licked her lips and studied Kari’s face. “Trish tells me you just moved out here. What brought you to little ole’ Bourbonville,” she asked in her thick southern accent.

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