by Kathi Daley
Of course it was entirely my fault I fell into their trap by getting so willingly into Theo’s car.
“Do you think we should frost these?” Alex asked after returning to her baking. “Sometimes Scooter likes them frosted and sometimes he likes them plain.”
“Let’s make some of each.”
Later that evening I stood on the bridge between the wings of the second floor and looked down into the family room. Zak, Scooter, Alex, and all four dogs and two cats were watching a movie. I’d been watching the movie with them until I’d excused myself to take a call from Ellie, who was letting me know that she and Levi were home from their honeymoon. It seemed ever since Scooter came home I couldn’t stop smiling. I still didn’t know what the future held for us, but for now I was letting myself be happy we were all together.
Zak noticed me looking down on the room and excused himself to join me.
“Is everything okay?” he asked after he’d jogged up to the second floor.
“Yeah. I was just enjoying the fact that the family is back together again. At least for now.” I turned and looked at Zak. “Did you get a feel at all about what Scooter’s dad’s long-term plans are?”
“He seemed frazzled. Scooter is still a hyper kid and can be a handful. I think his dad forgot about that. He mumbled something about spring break, but I had the sense that he needed time to reevaluate the situation.”
“Did Scooter seem sad to leave his dad?”
Zak shook his head. “Not really. He hugged him and thanked him for taking him to Disneyland. His dad mentioned something about doing it again someday and Scooter said he’d like that. I think the trip helped to build a bridge between the two of them, but I’m afraid it’s a pretty wobbly bridge.”
I looked down at Scooter and Alex, who were cracking up at something that had happened in the movie. They looked so happy and content. I wanted that for them always and hoped the situation with Scooter’s dad would resolve itself in such a way as to make everyone happy.
“How are you feeling today?” Zak asked me. He’d been back for a few hours, but we really hadn’t had time to talk.
“A little achy but better.”
“I’m just glad we found you in time.” There was genuine concern in Zak’s voice.
“Yeah, me too.” I turned and looked at Zak. “So, do you know whether the family decided to sell the resort? The vote was supposed to happen today.”
“They decided to postpone it until they can explore the idea further. I know what happened was terrible and it will most likely take a while for everyone to digest it, but I think the Carrington family has turned a corner. Whether they merge the resorts or not, it’s my feeling they’ve finally realized the feud is not only pointless but destructive. Chance indicated that the family as a whole is working together to find common ground and an option that will meet everyone’s needs.”
“I’m glad. They really are very nice people.”
“Yes, they are.”
“Do you what to finish watching the movie?”
Zak hesitated. “Is there something else on your mind? You’ve been so quiet ever since I’ve been home. I know it’s been a rough few days and that you’re tired, but I’m sensing something else.”
“I guess maybe there is something I’d like to talk over with you, but it can wait.”
Zak looked down at the kids. “I’ve seen this movie before and the kids seem to be having a good time without us if you want to talk.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
I led Zak to the seating area of the bedroom, where we’d have more privacy. I sat down so we were facing each other. I took a deep breath before I brought up what was on my mind. “We never talked about things after the doctor called last night.”
Zak frowned. “Is something wrong? You were so tired, I wanted to let you get to bed, but it seemed as if all the tests you had last week had come back okay.”
“They did,” I assured Zak. “Everything is fine and there shouldn’t be any obstacles to conceiving in the future.”
“But…?”
“But after everything that’s happened, I found myself almost glad I wasn’t pregnant.”
Zak paused. I could see he was attempting to catch up with my train of thought.
“If I had been pregnant when I fell the baby might not have made it. And if my baby had died as a result of my rash actions, I don’t know how I would have lived with myself.”
Zak was seated in one of the wingback chairs and I was seated on the love seat. He leaned forward and took my hands in his. He looked me in the eye. “Don’t you think if you had been pregnant you would have made different choices?”
“Would I? I’m really not sure. I certainly never stopped to think things through when I took off on the snowmobile in the middle of a blizzard. It’s not like I intentionally put myself in danger. I never do. Danger just seems to find me.”
“I guess that’s true, but we did choose to look into Daniel Carrington’s death, and perhaps if you were pregnant we would have declined Chance’s invitation.”
“Maybe, but what about all the other times? I’ve been in life-and-death situations plenty of times without ever leaving Ashton Falls.”
“Are you reconsidering the idea of having a baby?”
Was I? I wasn’t sure. I just knew the events of the past week had given me reason to pause and look at the big picture. I wanted to have Zak’s baby. I really did. But I had to wonder if having a baby would require more of a lifestyle change than I was willing to make.
Zak finally spoke after I hadn’t answered him. “We’ve had a rough couple of weeks. Maybe we should take a break from trying to have a baby until things settle down a bit.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. You know I want us to have children someday, but what we have right now is pretty great. I’m going to suggest we concentrate on enjoying the family we have and maybe, in a couple of months, we can revisit the subject again. In the meantime I think it might be a good idea to really consider how our lives would change if we were to have a baby. Maybe we’re ready for it and maybe we aren’t. We’ve only been married a year and a half. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”
I let out a long breath. I knew Zak was right. Maybe waiting a couple of months to revisit the idea was the answer. Still, I couldn’t help but remember the depth of the joy I’d felt for the few hours I’d believed a baby Zimmerman was growing inside me.
“Okay,” I answered. “We can wait and talk about it again in a couple of months. And you’re right. We do have time.”
I was about to kiss Zak when I heard a loud crash followed by dogs barking. Zak smiled. “It’s good to have Scooter home.”
I couldn’t agree more. “Let’s go downstairs and finish the movie with our family.”
“It might be a good idea,” Zak agreed. “I have a feeling it’s going to take a few days to undo all the crazy Scooter built up while he was with his father.”
“He’s an active boy.”
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Coming from Kathi Daley Books February 2017
Pre-order today http://amzn.to/2htqH02
Recipes
Recipes from Kathi
Orange Muffins
Beefiladas
Irish Stew
Brandied Cherry Cheesecake
Recipes from Readers
Breakfast Casserole—submitted by Janel Flynn
French Toast—submitted by Joyce Aiken
Copper Pennies—submitted by Vivian Shane
Orange Balls—submitted by Pam Curran
Orange Muffins
1½ cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
1¼ cups milk
2¼ cups sugar
¼ cup orange juice
3 tsp. orange extract
3 cups flour
1½ tsp. salt
1½ tsp. baking powder
Preheat oven to 350
degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat oil, eggs, milk, sugar, orange juice, and orange extract until smooth. Add in flour, salt, and baking powder and mix.
Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners (makes 24).
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cream Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. orange extract
½ cup heavy whipping cream
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange extract, and heavy whipping cream in small bowl. Beat until smooth.
Frost the tops of each cooled muffin.
Beefiladas
2 lbs. boneless rib roast
Seasoned salt, garlic powder, pepper
40 oz. salsa (approx.) (I use half hot and half mild)
8 oz. diced green chilies
1 cup sour cream
8 flour tortillas
2–3 cups grated cheddar cheese
Trim all fat off boneless rib roast. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place in slow cooker. Cover meat with store-bought salsa, either hot or mild, depending on preference.
Cook on high until meat begins to pull apart. Continue to shred meat as it cooks. When it’s completely done (cooking time depends on size of meat and heat of slow cooker, but about 8 hours), spoon meat from sauce with slotted spoon. Reserve sauce.
Mix meat in a large bowl with diced green chilies and sour cream.
Place ⅛ of meat mixture in a taco-size flour tortilla. Place in a large greased baking pan (9 x 13).
Cover meat with reserved sauce or cover meat with canned enchilada sauce; in my family there’s a division as to which is preferable, so experiment a bit.
Cover with grated cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Irish Stew
1 tbs. olive oil
1 lb. beef stew meat
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
¼ tsp. dried thyme
½ tsp. dried parsley
2 cups beef broth
2 tbs. butter, melted
2 tbs. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
Mashed potatoes:
4 baking potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks
6 tbs. butter
4 cloves garlic, smashed
3 tbs. milk
Brown meat in olive oil. Add garlic, onion, carrots, and spices. Cook for 5 minutes before adding beef broth. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for at least 2 hours.
After about 1½ hours, make mashed potatoes.
Boil potatoes for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain potatoes and mash with the butter, garlic, and milk.
Mix the melted butter and flour together. Add slowly to the stew.
Continue to cook for 10 more minutes.
Serve the stew over the mashed potatoes.
Brandied Cherry Cheesecake
Crust:
1¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
⅓ cup butter or margarine, melted
Filling:
4 pkgs. (8-oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
⅓ cup whipping cream
1 tbs. vanilla
3 eggs
Sauce:
¼ cup butter or margarine
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup brandy
1 can cherry pie filling
1 tbs. cornstarch
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, mix crust ingredients. Press firmly in bottom of greased 2-qt. baking pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
While crust is cooling, in large bowl, beat all filling ingredients except eggs with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until smooth. On low speed, beat in eggs until well blended. Pour over crust; smooth top.
Bake 90 minutes or until set.
Refrigerate until chilled.
In saucepan, melt butter. Mix in brown sugar and brandy. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pie filling and heat to boiling. Add cornstarch. Boil 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened. Let cool slightly and then pour over cheesecake.
Refrigerate.
Breakfast Casserole
Submitted by Janel Flynn
10 eggs
½ cup flour
1 tsp. soda
½ tsp. salt
1 pint small curd cottage cheese
2 small cans chopped green chilies
1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (replace with Pepper Jack or sharp chedder for a change)
½ cup butter
I add a small diced red onion and a pinch of cayenne pepper. And I have added a cup of hash browns to this too. Just add ingredients you like in your omelets in moderation.
Beat eggs until frothy. Add flour, soda, and salt and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a greased 11 x 14 pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes or until knife comes out clean when put into center. Can add sausage, browned and drained, before baking
French Toast
Submitted by Joyce Aiken
This recipe came from a coworker. It's nice because you make it the day before company comes.
12 slices bread
1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
8 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup maple syrup
In buttered 9 x 13 pan, break up 6 slices of bread to cover the bottom of pan. Cut cream cheese into chunks and place over the bread. Break up the rest of bread and place on top. Mix eggs, milk, and maple syrup in a bowl and pour over. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 375 degrees for 20–25 minutes with cover on. Remove cover and bake another 20 minutes.
Copper Pennies
Submitted by Vivian Shane
One of those oldie-but-goodie recipes that has been handed down in my family.
7 or 8 med. carrots, cooked
Boiling salted water
1 tbs. granulated or brown sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
¼ tsp. ground ginger
¼ tsp. salt
¼ cup orange juice
2 tbs. butter
Slice carrots about ½″ thick or bias slice them crosswise about ½″ thick. Place in saucepan containing 1″ of boiling salted water. Cover pan and cook until just tender, 10–20 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, in small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and salt. Add orange juice and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Boil 1 minute, remove from heat. Stir in butter. Pour over hot carrots, tossing to coat evenly. Makes 6 servings.
Orange Balls
Submitted by Pam Curran
This recipe came from an ex-sister-in-law, Annette. She gave it to us a long time ago. She used to make them at Christmas. I don’t know where the recipe came from, possibly her mother. But it has been a family favorite during Christmas.
1 6-oz. can frozen orange juice
1 12-oz. box vanilla wafers
1 stick oleo/margarine
1 box powdered sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can coconut (about 8 oz.)
Pour slightly softened orange juice over crumbled vanilla wafers. Leave until soft. Add softened margarine and powdered sugar. Mix in pecans and shape into balls. Roll in coconut. These are best kept in the refrigerator until needed. They can be frozen, but you may not have any left to keep in freezer.
Books by Kathi Daley
Come for the murder, stay for the romance.
Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery:
Halloween Hijinks
The Trouble With Turkeys
Christmas Crazy
Cupid’s Curse
Big Bunny Bump-off
Beach Blanket Barbie
Maui Madness
Derby Divas
Haunted Hamlet
Turkeys, Tuxes
, and Tabbies
Christmas Cozy
Alaskan Alliance
Matrimony Meltdown
Soul Surrender
Heavenly Honeymoon
Hopscotch Homicide
Ghostly Graveyard
Santa Sleuth
Shamrock Shenanigans
Kitten Kaboodle
Costume Catastrophe
Candy Cane Caper
Holiday Hangover
Zimmerman Academy The New Normal
Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook
Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries by Henery Press
Pumpkins in Paradise
Snowmen in Paradise
Bikinis in Paradise
Christmas in Paradise
Puppies in Paradise
Halloween in Paradise
Treasure in Paradise – April 2017
Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery:
Romeow and Juliet
The Mad Catter
Grimm’s Furry Tail
Much Ado About Felines
Legend of Tabby Hollow
Cat of Christmas Past
A Tale of Two Tabbies