Listen To Your Heart (21 page)
Read Listen To Your Heart Online
Authors: Fern Michaels
“Maybe we should cry now and get it out of our systems. Our mascara will run later on.”
“It's not right, Josie. There's supposed to be a mother of the bride. In our case, mother of the brides. Plural. We don't have anyone on our side. Our side of the church is going to be totally empty. The first three pews are always reserved for family. Our friends will be there, but it's not the same. It isn't fair.”
“I know, Kitty, but there's nothing we can do about it. Mom would tell us to pull up our socks and go on. I wrote her a letter last night. I stuffed it in with all the others.”
“I did, too. It's in my sock drawer. Mom always said I had the messiest drawers. She said they were worse than yours. We're going to be happy, aren't we, Josie?”
“Yes, we are. We'll visit often, and we'll call every day. I'll be your kids' godmother and you'll be my kids' godmother. Harry and Paul get along wonderfully even though they only met recently. We're a family. We're smaller than Paul's or Harry's, but we're still a family. I bought you a wedding present. It's kind of specialâyou know, a sister-to-sister kind of present. It's for Harry, too, but mostly for you. Do you want me to get it? It's in the spare room.”
Kitty dabbed at her eyes and nodded. Josie was back within minutes, holding a small basket. A tiny, silky head peered over the top. She held the basket out to her sister. “Her name is Soho. She's a Goldenray Yorkie. I bought her from Cher Hildebrand in Dayton, Ohio. I picked her up at the airport last night while you were out with Harry's parents. Tell me I didn't make a mistake. Please, Kitty, tell me you love that little dog. I thought you wouldn't miss me so much if you had a dog to remind you of me.”
“God, Josie, what's not to love? Would you look at this face. She's beautiful. She's gorgeous. I love her already. Harry is going to flip when he sees her. He just loves dogs. Thank you, Josie. I feel better now. I really do.”
“Good, that's all that matters. You never did tell me what Harry gave you as a wedding present. Show me!”
“Swear you won't laugh.”
“I swear,” Josie said. “Where is it?”
“In my room on the bed. Listen, his heart was in the right place, so remember that.”
“It's a . . .”
“Chef's coat with five stars and a high top hat.”
“It's wonderful. Jewelry is such a drag,” Josie said.
“What did Paul give you?”
“He said he left it on the back porch, so I guess it isn't jewelry either. I forgot to open it. Wait, I'll go get it. It's a big box, too. I have a feeling it's going to be as romantic as your coat and hat.”
Kitty cuddled with the little dog until Josie, huffing and puffing, shoved a huge carton into her bedroom. “Wow! Maybe we should guess what it is before you open it. Anticipation and all that.”
Josie reached for her manicure scissors and slit the tape holding the box together. “Oh, Kitty, look at this.” Josie held up a dinner plate with a huge strawberry in the middle. “It's just like Mom's. Wait, wait, here's a note.”
“Read it, read it. Hurry up. What's it say?” Kitty squealed.
My darling Josie,
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I wanted to give you something special for your wedding gift. I'm sorry to say I don't have an original bone in my body. However, I saw the look on your face the day you served me a cup of coffee in your mother's cup. It took me a while, but I finally found someone who said they could replicate it. There is a service for eight in this box, and I have the remainder at my house. I took the liberty of ordering a set for Kitty also.
“He didn't!” Kitty squealed. “God, Josie, this looks exactly like Mom's dishes. This is so perfect I can't stand it. You know what, Josie? We did all right for ourselves. We really did.”
“You can say that again. We have to put our gowns on. The limo will be here in fifteen minutes. You help me with mine, and I'll help you with yours. Where's your veil?”
“I'm not wearing one. I'm wearing my chef's hat.”
“No kidding! That takes guts!”
“I'm not carrying that dumb bouquet either.”
“I'm almost afraid to ask, but what
are
you going to carry?”
are
you going to carry?”
“I wasn't going to carry anything till you gave me this dog. Now I'm going to carry her. Don't say it, Josie. This is my wedding, and you know what? It isn't as dumb as you might think. Mom wore a red garter you could see through her dress and her shoes were red. Dad loved it.”
“I wasn't going to say a word. I think you should do whatever the hell you want to do. You're right. This is your wedding, too. I love you, Kitty.”
“You won't be embarrassed?”
“Never.”
“What about Paul?”
“He won't be embarrassed either. He's so laid-back these days it's hard to believe he's the same guy. Okay, help me with my dress.”
“My pleasure.” Kitty grinned.
An hour later, Father Sebro said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride!”
Paul turned, his gaze straying to the three empty pews on the right side of the church. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He gently turned Josie's head. A smile that rivaled the sun spread across his new wife's face. All he was able to see was a flash of pink as the heady scent of lilies of the valley wafted toward him.
Kitty Dupré's Favorite Recipes
Fried Frog Legs
12 pair frog legs
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 c flour
¼ c cornmeal
1 tsp chili powder
fat for frying
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 c flour
¼ c cornmeal
1 tsp chili powder
fat for frying
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Season frog legs with cayenne pepper and salt. Dip frog legs in egg, then roll in combined mixture of flour, cornmeal and chili powder. Fry in deep fat at 350°F for about 8 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
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SERVES 4.
Pepper Apple Chicken
6 boneless chicken breasts
2 c apple juice
2 tbsp butter
2 large apples (I prefer Granny Smith)
1 tbsp black pepper
½ c brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
¼ tbsp of nutmeg
1 tbsp cornstarch
¼ c water
2 c apple juice
2 tbsp butter
2 large apples (I prefer Granny Smith)
1 tbsp black pepper
½ c brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
¼ tbsp of nutmeg
1 tbsp cornstarch
¼ c water
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Wash chicken and dry thoroughly. Allow chicken to soak in apple juice for two hours in refrigerator. Remove chicken from apple juice (save juice). In a skillet, melt butter. Add chicken, reduce heat from high to medium. Peel and core apples, slice as thin as possible. Turn chicken once after browned; then add apple slices. Spread evenly. Cover and allow to simmer until other side is browned. Add apple juice, nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon and pepper. Stir thoroughly and cover. Simmer 20â25 minutes. Mix cornstarch in water. When mixture starts to bubble, add cornstarch. Stir until thick. Serve hot.
Corn Puppies*
1½ c all-purpose flour
2 c corn flour or cornmeal
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ c sugar
¼ lb butter, melted
¾ c milk
2 large eggs
1 15 oz can whole kernel corn, 303 size can
4 c oil for frying
¼ to ½ c powdered sugar
2 c corn flour or cornmeal
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ c sugar
¼ lb butter, melted
¾ c milk
2 large eggs
1 15 oz can whole kernel corn, 303 size can
4 c oil for frying
¼ to ½ c powdered sugar
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In a mixing bowl combine all-purpose flour, corn flour (or cornmeal), baking powder and sugar. Blend with a mixer on medium high speed until totally blended. Continue to mix while you add all butter a little at a time until all is added. Continue to blend until pea-sized balls are formed. Slowly add milk to mixture while mixing on high speed. After all milk is added, add both eggs and blend until creamy thick texture. (
Note:
Mixture should be firm). Open can of corn and drain completely. Add corn to mixture and fold until evenly mixed.
Note:
Mixture should be firm). Open can of corn and drain completely. Add corn to mixture and fold until evenly mixed.
Next, in a 1½ quart pot, heat oil to 300°F. Carefully spoon 2â3 tbsp of mixture into hot oil. As puppies begin to brown turn over a couple of times until evenly browned all over. Remove and drain on paper towels. To serve, place in a bowl and sprinkle powdered sugar on top by putting sugar into a wire strainer and tapping it with your hand while moving strainer all around the bowl to get even distribution of sugar.
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SERVES 6â8.
Jambalaya
1 fryer, cut into pieces
1½ lb smoked hot sausage
3 tbsp shortening or bacon drippings
3 tbsp flour
2 medium onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c water
2 c canned stewing tomatoes
2 tbsp parsley, minced
¼ c green onion tops
2 tsp salt
2 c rice
1½ lb smoked hot sausage
3 tbsp shortening or bacon drippings
3 tbsp flour
2 medium onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c water
2 c canned stewing tomatoes
2 tbsp parsley, minced
¼ c green onion tops
2 tsp salt
2 c rice
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Brown sausage and chicken in shortening or bacon drippings ; remove, and add flour to make roux. Add onions, green pepper and garlic. Cook until tender. Add water, rice, tomatoes, parsley, onion tops, and salt. Stir in browned sausage and chicken. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low temperature and cook covered for 1 hour.
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SERVES 8â10.
Shrimp Boulettes*
¼ c celery
1 c onions, chopped
¼ c green onions
1 c shrimp
2 eggs
1 c flour
1 c seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 c oil for frying
1 c onions, chopped
¼ c green onions
1 c shrimp
2 eggs
1 c flour
1 c seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 c oil for frying
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Grind celery, onions and green onions in a food processor. Drain excess liquid; then empty mixture into a mixing bowl. Grind raw peeled minced shrimp in a food processor. Add to mixture and blend. Add eggs (scrambled) and blend completely.
Add flour and bread crumbs to mixture until you achieve a thick pasty consistency. Add salt and pepper and mix. Heat oil to hot. Spoon tablespoon-sized balls into hot oil and cook until browned. Serve.
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