Quinn gave a small smile. “Oh, that’s right. I had heard you were joining Trina’s realty team. Are you excited?”
Personally, Quinn thought it wasn’t the greatest idea, having Milly a member of the Pemberley Group. She still didn’t trust Trina, but there was no way she was going to dampen Mrs. Hauser’s excitement.
Milly beamed. “You know what? I am soooo motivated! And don’t tell her I said this, but Trina is a powerhouse. I’m going to learn a lot from her.”
As far as Quinn could tell, she had learned a lot already. A brush with death because her husband had wanted her dead seemed to have given Milly Hauser a change of heart … and attitude.
Aiden cleared his throat. “So, um, I hate to bring this up, but Scott, did you get word on your father’s prison assignment?”
Scott grimaced. “Yeah, he got his wish to stay close to home, although I don’t know why. I don’t want to see him. It was bad enough what he did to my mom and Tricia, but killing off a colleague just to eliminate the competition? I never want to see that psychopath again.”
“Well, he received two life sentences without a chance for parole, so you’ll never have to see him again if you don’t want to.”
Just then, Quinn’s parents approached the stage. That’s when she noticed her mother wearing a phoenix pin. She smiled to herself, appreciating the symbolism of the mythological bird rising from the ashes. Quinn’s pin for the day was more direct—an homage from one of her favorite movies, Beetlejuice. It simply said, “Never trust the living.”
Adele Caine cleared her throat. “Honey, I know it’s been important for you to catch up”—she beamed at Mrs. Hauser—“and, Milly, it is so good to see you up and around, but—”
Milly interrupted. “Not a problem. I’m feeling worn out too. We’re going. I’ll check on y’all in another week or so?”
Finn Caine nodded, placing his arm around his wife. “That would be nice. We’d love to have you and Scott over for dinner.”
They finished their goodbyes, and Scott wheeled his mother off the stage. Quinn scanned the audience, expecting Daria to have stuck around.
“Your cousin told us to tell you she’d talk to you later. She needed to get back to the abbey. She has a lot on her plate.”
“Oh, of course,” Quinn said, trying to hide her disappointment. Ever since she’d checked out of the hospital, she had seen Sister Daria, but not quite as much as before. Her cousin had explained that now that the community crisis had passed and Quinn was recovering, it was time for her to become more fully immersed in her life at Guinefort House. It made sense, but Quinn would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit to missing her.
“Ready to go, kiddo?” her father asked.
“Actually, Finn, Adele, can I have Quinn meet you outside? I’ll walk her out. I just need to talk to her for a sec.”
Her parents shared a glance. “Sure thing. Honey?” Her father directed her way. “We’ll be waiting outside in the car. We’ll drive it up front.”
Before Quinn even had a chance to reply, they spun around and took off.
Weird.
She returned her focus to the detective. “Everything okay?”
He took in a deep breath, shoving his hands inside his pockets. “Yeah, yeah … everything’s fine.”
Both her brows shot north. “You wanted to ask me something? Is it about the case?”
He rocked back and forth on his heels; his shoulders hunched up to his ears. “No, nothing to do with the case …”
She waited, not knowing what to think.
Aiden sucked in some more air before letting it out in a gust. “Oh heck—listen, I know you’re still recovering and all, but can we meet for lunch tomorrow?”
“Lunch?”
He hedged. “Or coffee, if lunch out is too taxing right now.”
“Well, you know I never say no to coffee,” she teased.
His shoulders relaxed, a warm smile returning to his face.
She still wasn’t getting it. “What do you want to talk about?” Quinn couldn’t imagine what else he needed. The case was closed.
“With you? I want to talk about everything and nothing, for as long as you’ll let me.”
Her face was still blank.
Aiden let out a soft laugh as he took a couple steps toward her, his gaze lingering on her lips before meeting her questioning eyes. “Let me put it another way … Duck, I’m trying to ask you out.”
Did he just say what I thought he said?
“Can you say that again?” Quinn knew she must seem as dense as a thicket, but she didn’t care. She needed to be sure.
He was right in her space. Breathing the same air. “Quinn Victoria Caine, may I have the pleasure of your company tomorrow morning for coffee? Lunch, if you’re feeling better. We’ll work our way up to dinner … in time.”
And that was all it took. Three sentences were just enough to make what once was dormant, presumed dead, illuminate again.
“Yes, Aiden. I’ll have coffee with you. On one condition.”
Steely determination set in. “Name it.”
She smiled. “That we can bring RBG along. My girl and I, we’re a package deal. I suggest you bring her one of those liverwurst cupcakes. It’ll be important to stay in her good graces.”
He let out a deep belly laugh, with the biggest grin she’d ever seen on him.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Vienna’s Secret Recipe Trove
My mama would tan my hide if she knew I was sharing her most sacred, secret recipes with you. The Huttons from Church Street Eats would also be none too pleased with me. But y’all deserve a treat for helping me find the killer who brought such havoc to my peaceful hometown of Vienna, Virginia. Now, everything can get back to normal—right?
Mama Caine’s Magical Garden Ginger-Mint Iced Tea
5 cups filtered water
3.5 ounces peeled and sliced ginger root
½ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
5 tea bags (pick whatever flavor you want)
1 cup wildflower honey
In a large saucepan, put ginger into five cups of filtered water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add tea bags and mint. Cover with a lid and allow to steep for a minimum of 20 minutes. Strain liquid into your favorite, fancy-pants crystal pitcher, the one your great-aunt bought off your wedding registry. Fill three-quarters full, and add ice.
Tastes best when served during the Town of Vienna’s Walk on the Hill!
Greg’s Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich
2 slices fresh sourdough bread
6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons mayonaise
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
One shake of fresh ground pepper
1 grill press
Spread mayonnaise on top side of each piece of bread. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Put 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter into the skillet and let melt. Then place 1 slice of bread, mayonnaise side down, into hot skillet; layer the cheese slices onto the bread. Then season with pepper. Top with second slice of bread, mayonnaise side up. Heat for 3–5 minutes, until the bottom piece of bread is golden brown. Take off heat and add the remaining butter. Let it melt, and return sandwich to the skillet, untoasted side of the bread down. Put grill press on top. Leave for five minutes, to melt mozzarella cheese. You may need to reduce the heat some and leave on longer because fresh mozzarella will take longer to melt than other cheeses. Once golden brown, serve immediately!
Bash’s Burger
1/2-pound fresh ground chuck (80/20 the perfect fat-to-meat ratio)
1 egg
1.5 tablespoons Costco Steak seasoning
1 brioche bun
Condiments of your choice
Mix egg and seasoning thoroughly into your ground chuck. Then form meat patty. Do not overmix. You want to be able to still see the strands of meat in your patty. Place burger on either a hot grill or in a hot pan. Let it cook unt
il the fat puddles on top of burger patty. DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON THE BURGER. Greg says all you’re doing is draining the meat of its juiciness. Flip burger once. Place your brioche bun into toaster on a light setting (or on grill, if you have space. Keep out of direct flame). Once burger is done, put right onto bun. Add whatever condiments you like and serve hot.
Simon & Garfunkel-Inspired Roast Chicken
6 chicken quarters (legs & thighs attached, skin on)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
2 tablespoons dried sage powder
2 tablespoons fresh ground rosemary
2 tablespoons dried thyme
Olive oil spray
Salt and pepper to taste
6 pats of unsalted butter
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a flat cooking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat with non-stick olive oil aerosol spray. Pat down chicken until dry, and place on cooking sheet. Take each pat of butter and divide into pieces with your fingers. Rub into the skin of each chicken piece (each one gets its own pat of butter). Most fresh rosemary will come in sprigs. I suggest you grind the leaves in a coffee grinder until they become finely ground. Mix the freshly ground rosemary with your thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Finely dice the parsley, and add to mixture. Sprinkle generously all over the chickens. Place in oven until the skin turns golden brown and bubbly, and the juices run clear when poked with a fork.
Shredded Herb Chick Omelet
3 ounces of pulled herb chicken, room temperature (use leftovers from Simon & Garfunkel Roast Chicken recipe, or use a rotisserie chicken)
2 eggs
1 ounce sharp cheddar cheese
1 ounce Colby Jack cheese
1 dollop half and half
1.5 tablespoons salted butter
Salt & pepper to taste
Heat pan on medium heat. Place butter in pan until melted. While it is melting, scramble eggs and pour half and half into the same bowl. Pour mixture into pan, making sure to use a spatula to lift edges of egg mixture as it cooks. Add cheeses and chicken evenly in pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. When cheese is almost melted, fold half of egg mixture over to form a half moon in pan. When golden in color—not brown—slide out of pan onto plate and serve.
Also available by Harper Kincaid
The Wonder of You
Bind Me Before You Go
You Do You (I Just Want to Pee Alone, #6)
Author Biography
Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. After earning her master’s degree in Gender History and another in Clinical/Macro Social Work, Kincaid decided to not to use either and become a writer instead.
This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reaction to the recipes contained in this book.
Copyright © 2020 by Caren Ann Appel
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-64385-304-8
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-64385-325-3
Cover illustration by Mary Ann Lasher
Printed in the United States.
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Crooked Lane Books
34 West 27th St., 10th Floor
New York, NY 10001
First Edition: May 2020
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