The Walleld Flower (36 page)

“We’re going to have lunch later this week—after Jeremy’s funeral. That’s when I’ll—” She paused, looked to see that Richie was otherwise occupied, and lowered her voice. “Reunite him with his property.”

Andy changed the subject. “Did you get Donna all straightened out?”

“Her merchandise is now scattered through a bunch of crafters’ booths. She ought to do all right.”

“I meant with her father.”

Katie shrugged. Witnessing Polly’s murder had had a profound effect on the young woman. It had at last sunk into Donna’s brain just how alone in the world she and little Fawn were. She’d asked Katie to set up a meeting between her and Kevin Hartsfield. He had that empty apartment just sitting there—and Donna and Fawn needed somewhere to live. Maybe the three of them would never forge a loving relationship, but just talking to one another was a start.

“How’s Rose?” Andy asked.

“Relieved. She was worried they’d never solve Heather’s murder. Edie’s going to join her on the trip to Florida to bury Heather’s remains next to her parents. Rose will have real closure now.”

“Good for her,” Andy said and finished off yet another pizza.

Now for the bad news. “Um… thanks to all my time being taken up with the Sheriff’s Office, and what with all the bridal shower stuff, I lost out on both apartments I was supposed to look at today.”

“Oh.” Andy removed his plastic gloves and moved to stand beside Katie. He placed a hand on her back, tracing circles with his palm, his awkward attempt to give comfort. “Well, don’t think about that right now. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Not another pizza,” Katie whimpered.

Andy scowled. “What’s wrong with my pizzas?”

“Nothing, they’re great. It’s just… I’ve eaten so many of them in the past few months that I think I’m turning into one. Or at least my thighs are turning into mozzarella cheese.”

“Your thighs look fine to me,” he said and kissed her nose. “And so does the rest of you.”

“Not that you’ve seen it lately,” she muttered.

“Well, my surprise may just remedy that. Richie!” He waved a hand at his helper. “Watch the shop for a few minutes, will you?”

“Sure thing,” the boy called.

“You—” He grabbed Katie’s waist, pulled her off the counter, and covered her eyes with her hands. “Don’t peek until I tell you.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her forward.

“Where are we going?”

“Upstairs. I’ve got something to show you.” Andy led her to the back of the shop and pulled her up the steps.

Katie sighed. At last. The scent of fresh paint, his refusal to let her even go upstairs to close the window on that rainy day the week before. Now he was no doubt going to solve all her problems by unveiling the spruced-up apartment and handing her the keys to her new home.

Had he had time to go over to her apartment to gather a few of her belongings? That’s what she’d have done. Maybe bring a couple of pieces of furniture over. Perhaps he’d added a pretty wallpaper to the bedroom. Maybe hearts, exquisite little flowers, or a trailing ivy pattern. And if he hadn’t… well, she’d add one.

The door creaked open. A light switch clicked on. Andy pulled Katie over the threshold. “Don’t peek!” he warned.

Katie scuffed across what had to be new carpet. Andy’s voice hadn’t echoed, which meant there must be furniture
in the room, too. A rush of anticipation made Katie want to jump out of her skin.

Andy let go of her arm and stepped away. “You can look now.”

Katie opened her eyes and her mouth gaped.

“Surprise!” Andy called.

The walls had been painted an icy blue. Cheap, short-napped carpet in a darker shade covered the hardwood floor in what had been the apartment’s living room. Lined against the far wall was an industrial-strength folding table with a computer, fax machine, and telephone lined up like they’d just come out of their boxes. A case of computer paper sat under the table and a beige file cabinet was stuffed into another corner. A couple of utilitarian metal folding chairs were the only seating.

“It’s not finished yet,” Andy said. “I’ve still got to get a desk, some shelves, and a safe. But you’re looking at the world headquarters for Andy’s Cinnamon Buns.”

Katie’s lip began to tremble. Andy sidled up, threw his arm around her shoulder, and beamed. “Aw, I knew you’d get all choked up.” He wiped away a tear before it could cascade down her cheek. “Starting tonight, we can eat our pizzas up here, too!”

Katie turned on him, her eyes blazing. “What have you done?” she cried.

“Don’t you like it?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“I thought you were fixing this place up for me!”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because you wouldn’t let me come up here. You kept it all such a secret.”

“You said you wanted to see more of me. Now we’ve got a nice place to come to get away from the shop.”

“But not
away
from the business!” she cried. Didn’t he understand
anything
?

Andy looked puzzled.

Katie’s shoulders sagged and she sank into one of the cold metal chairs.

“You don’t like it,” he said, crestfallen.

“I do,” she said, with all the enthusiasm of a death-row prisoner contemplating his last meal. “I’m just a little”—a
lot
!—“disappointed.”

A little disappointed?
Ha!
She hadn’t even considered he might be doing anything other than feathering a nest for her. “Do you realize that as of Friday I have no home?”

“I told you—you can live with me.”

“We’ve been over this a million times. I will
not
give up my cats—not even for you. And I don’t want to and can’t afford to board them for any length of time.”

“I’m not asking you to. I’m going to hate myself for even suggesting this, but… they can stay here until you find a place.”

Katie squinted up at him, trying to gauge his sincerity. “Really?”

Andy smiled. “Yeah.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her into a snug embrace.

Dear, sweet Andy didn’t realize the Pandora’s box he’d just opened. “What about my stuff?” Katie asked, all innocent.

“You can put it in storage.”

“Not the upholstered pieces. I’ve heard about mice infestations in those places. Can I bring them here—just until I find a place?”

Andy pulled back, scrutinizing her face. “Uh… sure.” But he didn’t sound entirely convinced.

Katie nestled her cheek against his shoulder, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the sensation of his arms encircling her.

Yes. First the cats.

Next, the upholstered pieces, including Katie’s bed frame and mattress.

Then perhaps a dresser with just a few clothes in it.

Add a couple of gallons of paint—in warm colors… pretty new curtains… some new appliances…

Possession was nine-tenths of the law, after all.

Andy heaved a weary sigh and kissed the top of her head. “Aw, hell. Welcome home, Katie.”

Katie’s Banana Bread

2 ½ cups flour

1 cup sugar

3 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1⅓3 cup oil
*

¾ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1–2 cups mashed bananas (the more you use, the moister it will be)

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Spray 2 loaf pans with cooking spray, dust with flour.

Measure all ingredients and place them in a large bowl. With an electric mixer, blend on medium speed and scrape the sides of the bowl often. Pour into the pans. Bake 55–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack. Slice to serve.

(
*
For fewer calories, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce for the oil—it’ll taste just as good!)

Freezes well.

Katie’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup shortening

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375° F.

In a large bowl, combine shortening, peanut butter, sugars, and eggs. Mix well.

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly stir into the sugar-butter mixture until a dough forms. Chill the dough for at least an hour.

Shape the dough into 1¼-inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in a crisscross pattern with the back of a fork. Bake until light brown, 9–10 minutes. (For chewier cookies, bake at 300° F for 15 minutes.) Cool on baking sheets for a minute; transfer to a rack to cool completely.

MAKES ABOUT 3 DOZEN.

Andy’s Cinnamon Buns

3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

½ cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)

¾ cup lukewarm milk (scalded then cooled)

1⅓3 cup butter, softened

1⅓3 to ½ cup sugar (the more, the sweeter)

½ teaspoon salt

1 egg

Cinnamon Mixture

½ cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter, softened

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cardamom powder

½ cup raisins (optional)

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon milk

½ teaspoon vanilla

Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Stir in the milk, sugar, butter, salt, egg, and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth.

Turn the dough onto a lightly
floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic, from 3 to 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size (about 1 ½ hours—the dough is ready if an indentation remains when touched).

Punch down the dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, then roll the dough into a rectangle, about 9 by 18 inches; Once rolled out, spread with butter. Mix the butter, sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom powder together in small dish. Sprinkle over rectangle. If you are adding raisins and/or chopped nuts, sprinkle over the cinnamon mixture before rolling up. Roll up tightly, beginning at wide (18-inch) side.

Seal well by pinching the edges of roll together. Stretch the roll to make even. Cut the roll into 1½- to 2-inch slices. Place a little apart on a greased pan or cookie sheet. Cover and let the dough rise until double in bulk (about 35–40 minutes). Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake until golden brown, 25–30 minutes.

Glaze: Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until the glaze is smooth and of desired consistency. If too thick, add a little more milk. Spread rolls with glaze while warm.

MAKES 12.