5 Big Bunny Bump Off (16 page)

“Perhaps, and I’ll be busy with Harper.”

“Yes, you will, but big sister is willing to babysit anytime.”

Harper closed her little fist around my finger and my heart melted. Maybe having a baby wouldn’t be as bad as I’d always thought it would be.

The
Easter play was heartwarming and funny and probably the best one the town had ever put on, despite the fact that as of the dress rehearsal the day before, half of the little eggs still hadn’t known their lines. After the play, Zak and I went to the community picnic and Easter egg hunt, where we met up with Ellie, who was with Rob and Hannah, as well as Levi and his date, Carly Wilder.

“I stopped by the hospital to see the babies this morning,” Ellie gushed. “They
’re so cute. I can’t wait to have one of my own.”

“They are pretty cute,” I agreed. “It looks like Hannah has a new Easter
dress.”

I looked
at Hannah, who was wearing a yellow dress with white ruffles and a full skirt, and skipping along beside her dad as they searched for eggs in the tall grass.

“I saw it and couldn’t resist. It came with an adorable hat and white gloves
, but Hannah was having nothing to do with the hat and tired of the gloves after about two minutes.”

“And did Hannah get a visit from the Easter Bunny?”

“She did.” Ellie smiled, “It was so cute to watch her hunt for her eggs this morning.”

“You went over early to watch?”

“Actually,” Ellie blushed, “I stayed over.”

I raised my eyebrows. I knew Ellie was very sensitive about discussing her personal life
, but I really wanted to know how it went. “And . . . ?”

“It was nice
.” She grinned. “Really nice.”

“So things are good between you and Rob?”

“Better than good.”

Ellie held out her hand
, and for the first time I noticed the engagement ring.

“You’re engaged?” I know I should have been thrilled for my friend
, but after the conversations we’d had in the past few days, all I could pull off was shocked.

Ellie looked uncertain. “Please be happy for me.”

“I will.” I hugged my friend. “I mean, I am. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I wasn’t sure what I wanted
, but when Rob popped the question, suddenly everything felt right.”

I hugged Ellie again. “I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

“I know. I’m still getting used to the idea myself.”

“Have you set a date?”

“Not a specific date, but we talked about this summer. I’d really like to have an outdoor wedding. Something on the beach. Actually, I’m kind of hoping Zak will let us use his house.”

“I’m sure he’d be honored to have you get married at his house.
Have you told Levi?”

Ellie looked at the ground. “No. Not yet.
Do you think he’ll be mad?”

“Mad?”
That would seem like a strange reaction.

“Maybe mad isn’t
what I meant. I guess what I should say is upset.”

“Perhaps,” I answered truthfully. “Things have been
. . .” I searched for the right word but came up blank.

“Yeah, I know. I love Levi and couldn’t bear it if this made things awkward and strange between us.”

“It might be awkward at first, but Levi will adjust to the new circumstances. I’m sure the Levi, Ellie, Zoe triad is as important to him as it is to us.”

“Yeah
.” Ellie smiled weakly. “I hope so.”

“
You’re engaged.” I tried for the lightest tone I could muster. “This is huge. We need to celebrate. I already promised my mom I’d have dinner with them tonight, but tomorrow night for sure. You and Rob, Zak and me, and Levi and whomever he chooses to bring, will go out after everyone gets off work.”

“I’d like that.”

“Zoe
, we need you at the judges’ area,” Gilda said, interrupting.

“I’m on my way.” I hugged Ellie again. “We
’ll talk later.”

As I walked toward the judges
’ area, I tried to be as happy for Ellie as I’d pretended to be, but I was having a really hard time separating my joy for her new circumstances and my concern about the same circumstances. I waved to Zak, who was busy manning the BBQ. I knew how lucky I was that I’d found a man who I enjoyed spending time with
and
who had no problem whatsoever getting my engine running. I hoped that, in the long run, Ellie wouldn’t regret the fact that she’d compromised.

As I stood near the bandstand
, waiting to decide who had the most eggs from each age group, Levi walked up and wrapped an arm around my waist, kissing me on the cheek in greeting. “Don’t you look nice?” He complimented the new dress I’d bought for the occasion.

“Thanks
.” I smiled.

“I stopped by to meet
your new sister and Jeremy’s new daughter this morning. Jeremy tells me that you’ve promoted him and plan to start traveling with Zak. This dress part of your new rich-wife wardrobe?”

“Zak and I aren’t married
, nor do we plan to be anytime soon. Still, I
am
looking forward to traveling with him, and I guess I’ll need a few new things to wear to the types of places he’s been known to frequent.”

“So you aren’t going to turn into a snob?”

“Never.” I kissed Levi on the cheek. “I noticed you brought Carly. You two dating?”

“I wouldn’t say dating. We enjoy each other’s company
, but after the fiasco with Barbie, I’ve pretty much decided to stay away from women who have commitment in their eyes.”

“Yeah, I guess Barbie
did a real number on you.”

“Ellie looks like she’s
getting serious with Rob,” Levi observed as Ellie, Rob, and Hannah all sorted through Hannah’s basket.

“Yeah
.” I looked at Levi. Ellie’s news was hers to tell, but I hoped Levi wouldn’t say anything insensitive. “I think she is. Are you going to be okay with that?”

Levi stopped to consider my question.
“He’s a pretty good guy,” Levi admitted. “And you were right about Ellie and me wanting different things in life. I’ve thought about it, and I really just want her to be happy.”

“Yeah
.” I hugged Levi’s arm. “Me, too.”

“Zak give you that rock?”
Levi picked up the stone that was resting against my chest between his finger and thumb.

“
It was quite a surprise.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks, I’m starting to love it.”

“Well
, I guess I’d better go find Carly.”

I watched Levi walk away.
Despite what he’d said, I fully expected him to be hurt by the news of Ellie’s engagement. I hoped that the addition of Rob into our inner circle wouldn’t hurt the relationship we all shared, but for the first time, I realized that, while I was concerned about the prospect of an altered paradigm, I wasn’t manic about the idea, as I would have been only a few months earlier. Maybe Zak was rubbing off on me. His presence in my life provided me with a sense of security and balance that I’m not sure I’d ever experienced before. Maybe, thanks to Zak Zimmerman, Zoe Donovan was finally growing up.

5–6 large potatoes peeled and thinly sliced

2 cups
cooked ham, cubed

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Sauce:

Melt 1 cube butter (real butter, no substitutions) in saucepan over medium heat.

When melted add:

½ 8
oz. package cream cheese

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Stir until cream cheese is completely dissolved.

Slowly add:

2 cups grated Parmesan
cheese (the good stuff)

1 cup grated Romano
cheese (add slowly; don’t let it clump)

Stir until smooth
.

Add:

1 tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp garlic powder

Add salt and pepper to taste
.

Layer ½ potatoes, ham, and sauce in greased deep casserole dish. Repeat. Top with cheddar cheese.

Cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender

Place the following in a slow cooker set on high:

2–3 pound pork roast

2 cans
(7 ounces each) diced green chilis

1
tb red pepper flakes

Water to cover

Cook until pork pulls apart easily (
about 8 hours). Shred and use as filling for tacos or burritos.

In greased casserole dis
h layer:

6 chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless, dusted with salt and pepper

16 ounces sauerkraut
(squeeze excess fluid and cover chicken)

6
pieces Swiss cheese (place a slice on each breast)

1¼
cup Thousand Island dressing (cover chicken)

Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.

2 small boxes strawberry Jell
-O

16 ounces (about 2 cups) sliced strawberries

1 cup chopped walnuts

16 ounces sour cream

Mix:

1 small box Strawberry Jell-O (made per directions on box)

1 p
int (16 ounces) sliced strawberries

1 cup chopped walnuts (add more if you really like nuts)

Pour into bottom
of 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Chill until set (about 2 hours).

After first layer is set:

Spread 16
-ounce container of sour cream over the top (do not use low fat). Chill for 30 minutes.

Make second small box of strawberry Jell-O according to directions. Carefully pour or ladle the Jell-O on top of sour cream layer; be careful when placing this layer on top or you’ll mess up the sour cream. Chill for 2 hours.

Make angel food cake according to directions on box
; bake in angel flute cake pan. Cool completely. Cut top off about one-inch down. Scoop out middle, leaving adequate cake on sides.

Mix together:

1 s
mall box strawberry Jell-O, made according to directions and chilled until set

1/3 small (8
oz.) Cool Whip

2/3 pint (16 oz
.) fresh strawberries, cut up small

Fill cake with Jell-O mixture; there will be some mixture left in most cases. Replace cake “lid” that was set aside. Frost with remaining Cool Whip. Garnish with remaining whole strawberries.

Mix together:

2 cups flour

1½ cups long cooking oats

½ cup brown sugar, packed

1 cup butter
(room temp)

Reserve 1 cup of mixture. Press into greased 9 x 13 baking pan.

Cream together:

8 oz
. cream cheese, softened

14 oz
. can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 package (8 oz.) white chocolate chips

Spread over flour mixture.

Combine 1 can boysenberry pie filling (or any fruit). Mix with 2 tbs cornstarch. Spread over cream cheese layer.

Sprinkle reserve flour mixture and 1 cup chopped salted cashew or peanuts over the top.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden.

Cool and cut into bars.