A Woman Loved by T.B. Markinson

Author:T.B. Markinson [Markinson, T.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: T.B. Markinson
Published: 2018-11-27T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

While I was heading back downstairs after tucking in the twinks, a cowbell rang, and Maddie announced in a booming voice, “Dinner is served!”

Sarah’s frosty glare made it crystal clear to me Maddie had improvised her announcement duties. Never ask a practical joker/interior designer, who’s latest project was a palatial ranch for a cowboy tycoon, to take her announcement duties seriously. The guests seemed to appreciate the effort, including Tie. Would it fit over her head so all of us could take a turn gonging the bell? Was this step one in Maddie’s destroy Tie plan? Torture by cowbell? That might be hard to prove in court? Premeditated cowbell?

To avoid potential conflict at the dinner table, Sarah and Maddie had devised a seating chart. At each place was one of the pinecone things I’d made and the person’s name, although with Lisa’s absence, we had an extra space. Sarah had the presence of mind to remove the pinecone and chair, leaving a gap between Peter and the person to his right.

Much to my dismay, I was wedged between Tie and Ethan. Had they thought this one through, considering Ethan’s marriage woes and Peter’s earlier threat? Even if the threat had been uttered after the chart had been finalized, we all had a stake in the when will Peter divorce Tie bet.

Allen, Troy, and Ethan had been enlisted as servers by Sarah weeks ago, and each wore a red apron stating Christmas calories don’t count. Did that go for marriage woes, threats, or whatnot? Gabe wore an elf hat and a gray so-called man apron, an early Christmas gift from Maddie, that had pockets for a phone, ketchup, mustard, beer, and matches according to the sketches on the fabric. Since ketchup, mustard, and matches weren’t needed for this evening’s soiree, he filled those pockets with candy canes, presumably for those who finished their meals. A still-capped New Belgium Accumulation, a winter white IPA, resided in the beer pocket. He plunked the twenty-pound turkey at the end of the table.

The servers, also in elf hats, arranged the side dishes in the center of the table, offering mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, parsnips, sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, and candied yams.

“Just for you, Lizzie.” Ethan placed piping hot macaroni and cheese in front of me.

“You shouldn’t have,” I joked.

“I didn’t. Your wife did.” Ethan took his seat on my left, not bothering to take off his apron or hat.

I glanced at Sarah, once again reminded how much effort she’d put into everything.

“Do you intend to share?” asked Allen, right across from me, with Casey on his right.

“Only to those who behave.” I made my voice a smidge too threatening, causing Allen to gulp. I waggled my brows to put him at ease, but my charm had the opposite effect.

Fortunately, Gabe fired up the electric knife, getting down to business and nullifying conversations for a brief respite. The decision about who should carve the turkey had been a no-brainer to me, although Maddie and Sarah had gone back and forth on it.

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