“How did Bob ever think he would get away with it?” Ginny asked.
“His enormous ego wouldn’t let him believe he could fail,” Angelica said simply. “But let’s not ruin this happy day with talk of Bob.” She looked adoringly down at the baby in Ginny’s arms.
Happy day? Tricia wasn’t sure she would ever celebrate Sofia’s birthday without sad thoughts of Christopher. He had sacrificed his own life to save Angelica’s. Had he saved Tricia and died, her life would have forever been shadowed with survivor’s guilt. That he’d saved Angelica—the one person who meant the most to Tricia—she would be forever grateful. Even so, it was all such a waste.
But they’d had one piece of happy news an hour before when they’d entered the hospital to visit Ginny and the baby. They’d stopped at the reception desk to get the room number, and Tricia thought to ask about Janet Koch.
“She’s doing much better. She’s now receiving visitors if you’d like to see her.”
“I would.”
The receptionist had given Tricia the room number, and she intended to stop in after their visit with the baby was over.
Tricia had one more piece of good news to share. “Looks like I owe you five dollars, Ginny.”
Ginny looked up at her, confused.
“You were right. I heard from the insurance company before Sofia was born.”
Ginny laughed. “We’ll put it toward her college fund.” She looked at the baby with adoring eyes. “You are going to college, young lady.” Sofia yawned, rubbing her little mitten-covered hands over her closed eyes.
“Awwww,” the three women chorused.
“We should go and let Ginny and the baby get some rest,” Tricia said.
“I don’t want to,” Angelica declared, “but I will. But only if you promise I can come back later and say good night to my”—she stopped, looked around to make sure no one else was listening, and lowered her voice to a bare whisper—“sweet granddaughter.”
“Of course you can,” Ginny said.
Angelica lavished kisses on her new family before turning to leave.
“Take some flowers,” Antonio suggested, and grabbed a large vase filled with pink daisies and baby’s breath.
“Good idea,” Angelica said, accepting them. “Off we go. We have a very busy day ahead of us.”
Yes, they did.
“If you need anything, feel free to call us, dear Tricia,” Antonio said sincerely.
“I will,” she said, and braved a smile, knowing she wouldn’t.
She stepped out into the hall as Angelica made another round of good-byes.
All around Tricia nurses, aides, and technicians scurried. All around were the sounds of new life—of hope and promise.
Her life was about to start another chapter, too, and it would not include Christopher. She hadn’t wanted him to be a strong presence in her future, but she had at least expected him to be part of the landscape. That he wouldn’t brought her great sadness.
Angelica appeared, all smiles, and wrapped her free arm around Tricia’s. “Ready to go see Janet?”
Tricia nodded. “Although I haven’t any idea of what I’m going to tell her.”
“I’ll tell her, if you like.”
“Thank you. I don’t think I’m quite yet ready to be able to talk about it, but I do want her to know that she’s now safe—all of Stoneham is.”
“Yes, we are, but at a terrible cost. For what it’s worth, I think Christopher is the bravest man I’ve ever known. He gave me my life, and I’m going to make sure every day counts for something. To honor him, you should, too.”
“I will.”
They paused at the elevators. “I’d like to do something else to honor Christopher. What do you think about a scholarship? Or maybe Nigela Ricita Associates could buy a piece of land and make another park for the citizens of Stoneham?”
“Why don’t we talk about it some other day?” Tricia suggested.
“Of course. I’m sorry I bought it up now,” Angelica apologized.
Tricia managed a smile. “I’m glad you were fond of him. He had his failings, but overall he really was a great guy.”
“Of course he was, and you brought out the best in him.”
Tricia didn’t believe that for a moment, but she didn’t see any point in arguing.
They took the elevator to the fourth floor, but as they approached Janet’s room, Tricia halted. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“You don’t have to, sweetie. Why don’t you go down to the lobby and wait for me. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Tell Janet . . .” But Tricia couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“I will,” Angelica promised, squeezed her hand and then forged ahead.
Tricia turned, but instead of heading for the elevator, she took the stairs and made her way back to the lobby. Never had she felt so alone. She supposed her parents had at one time liked Christopher—after all, he’d taken her off their hands. That must have made her mother feel infinitely grateful. But even if her parents had never really been there for her, she counted Angelica as her staunchest ally. And now she had a new connection to Antonio, Ginny, and sweet baby Sofia.
As Tricia was about to take a seat, she noticed the automatic doors slide open and Grace and Mr. Everett enter the hospital’s lobby.
“Tricia, darling girl,” Grace said as she approached with her arms held wide. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear about . . .” But she didn’t say his name.
“Thank you,” Tricia said, and embraced her friend. Grace was older than Tricia’s mother. She’d had her share of tragedies, but she had bounced back and found a new zest for life. Tricia hoped she would one day find that same resolve. She looked over Grace’s shoulder and saw dear Mr. Everett, her employee and, if truth be told, someone she’d come to think of as her surrogate father. His eyes were shiny with unshed tears. She pulled back away from Grace and practically fell into Mr. Everett’s waiting arms. And then the tears came once again.
Eventually, Tricia realized she was sitting on a couch, her head still buried in Mr. Everett’s shoulder, sobbing as he patted her back murmuring, “Dear girl, dear girl.”
Grace pressed a tissue into Tricia’s hand, and she wiped her eyes and eventually managed to get her emotions under control enough to sit up straight. “I’m so embarrassed,” she murmured, and didn’t dare look at her friends.
“But why?” Grace asked, patting Tricia’s hand. “We’re family. We love you. You, Angelica, Ginny, Antonio, and now baby Sofia.”
“Family?” Tricia asked, her throat so tight she felt like choking.
“Not by blood, but by circumstance,” Mr. Everett said.
Tricia stared into the elderly man’s wrinkled face as a wellspring of love gushed through her.
“And don’t forget Miss Marple, too,” he added, and smiled.
Tricia felt new tears spring to her eyes. “Yes, we are family.”
“We were thinking,” Grace began, “that we’d like to host a picnic for our little family. Maybe a potluck next weekend. And maybe we’ll invite a few friends, too. Like Pixie and her new gentleman friend, Frannie Armstrong, and Michele Fowler.”
“I think that would be lovely,” Tricia said, wondering what she could contribute. Then she remembered the deviled eggs Angelica had made for Pete’s wake. They seemed simple enough. Maybe she could bring something like that, and she would enjoy making them to share with her friends—her family.
“There you are,” Angelica said, arriving on the scene. Her smile wavered, however, when she took in Tricia’s tear-streaked face. “Is everything okay?”
“We were just talking about hosting a picnic next weekend for our little Stoneham family. You, included,” Grace said.
“That sounds wonderful. What can I bring?” Angelica said, taking a
seat next to Tricia.
Grace grinned. “Your wonderful carrot cake.”
Angelica’s smile was wide. “You got it.”
“I’ll mention it to Ginny and Antonio when we go upstairs,” Grace said. “We can’t wait to see baby Sofia.”
“You already know her name?” Angelica asked.
“Ginny called us from the delivery room early this morning. She couldn’t wait to share the news.”
“Isn’t she a dear?” Angelica asked with a sappy look that could only be described as motherly pride—despite the fact that she had no claim on Ginny in that respect.
“She’s as special to us as our darling Tricia—and you, too,” Mr. Everett said.
“Aw, thank you,” Angelica said, her smile wavering as her eyes welled.
“We’re family,” Tricia offered, unsure what Angelica’s reaction would be.
“Well, of course we are,” Angelica said, and reached over to squeeze Tricia’s hand.
In that moment, Tricia realized she had never felt so loved and accepted. “Yes, we are,” she reaffirmed, and smiled.
ANGELICA’S FAMILY RECIPES
GRANDMA MILES’S SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cream the sugar and shortening; add the eggs. Beat until light and fluffy. Sift the dry ingredients and cut into the creamed mixture. Do not stir or beat. The dough should be very tender and light. Roll into balls the size of small walnuts. Mix together the 2 tablespoons of sugar and cinnamon. Roll the balls in the sugar-cinnamon mixture and place 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies will puff up, then flatten and cool off to a tender, crisp cookie.
Yield: 5 dozen
ANGELICA’S CARROT CAKE
6 cups grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup raisins
4 eggs
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
3 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 10-inch cake pans.
In a medium bowl, combine the grated carrots and brown sugar, then stir in the raisins.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs until light. Gradually beat in the sugar, oil, and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and stir into the wet mixture until absorbed. Finally stir in the carrot mixture and the walnuts. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. When completely cooled, frost with maple buttercream frosting.
MAPLE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
1 cup butter, softened
2¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup chopped walnuts
Place the softened butter in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer for 30 to 40 seconds until whipped. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Sift the confectioners’ sugar into the bowl. Beat with an electric mixer for 30 to 40 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the brown sugar and maple syrup. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture is fluffy, scraping the sides of bowl as needed. Stir in the walnuts until just mixed and spread on the cooled cake.
SHRIMP PASTA SALAD
8 ounces elbow macaroni
¾ to 1 pound cooked small shrimp
8 ounces frozen peas, thawed
3 to 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
½ cup onion, finely chopped
DRESSING
1 cup mayonnaise
¾ cup French salad dressing
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1½ to 2½ teaspoons paprika
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Cook the macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, shrimp, peas, celery, and onion. In another bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Yield: 8 servings
BOOKED FOR LUNCH’S BLACK BEAN SOUP
1 pound dried black beans
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium-sized green peppers, seeded and diced
1 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)
1½ teaspoon chili powder
1½ teaspoon cumin
chopped cilantro (optional)
diced avocado (optional)
sour cream (optional)
Place the beans in a bowl or pot, cover with cold water, and allow to soak overnight, or add the beans to a medium-sized pot and cover with hot water. Bring to a boil, and let boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and rinse them with cold water.
In a medium pot, add the beans, chicken broth, water, garlic, onions, and peppers. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 90 minutes. At that time, add the salt, chili powder, and cumin, and stir. Cover and continue simmering for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the soup is the thickness you desire. (It can be thin to very thick, depending on your preference.) Garnish with cilantro, avocado, and/or sour cream.
Yield: 6 servings
CURRIED DEVILED EGGS
12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
⅔ cup mayonnaise
1½ teaspoons curry powder
½ teaspoon yellow mustard
¼ teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground
⅛ teaspoon salt
Paprika (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped chives (optional)
Slice the boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place them in a small bowl. Mash the yolks with a fork. Stir in the mayonnaise, curry powder, mustard, pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy. Spoon or pipe the mixture into the egg white halves. Sprinkle with paprika and garnish with the chives, if desired. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.
Yield: 12 servings
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