by Nancy Bell
Biggie's face hardened. "Not for a minute. Laura only made up that story to trick Stacie into doing what she wanted. The baby bracelet we found? That belonged to Babe. Laura hung on to it because she thought it might be useful— and maybe to keep it out of Babe's hands."
"That's really cold," I said.
"You right about that." Rosebud stretched his feet out so they'd be closer to the fire. "How'd you figure out how they done it, Miss Biggie?"
"I didn't know for sure. But when J.R. told me he'd seen the curtain blowing in that study on the night of the murder, then later the door was sealed and plants were growing just outside, well that started me thinking…." Biggie yawned and stretched. "Any more questions?"
We all shook our heads.
"Good." She set her mug down and stood up. "I'm off to bed then."
The others followed, but I stayed in the den watching the fire until it died down. Then I went to the hall phone and called Misty. I had something to say to her that couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Two Weeks Later
When I came home from the dance, everyone was sitting around the kitchen table drinking coffee and waiting. I had taken off the sport coat and tie Biggie had made me wear. Now I tossed them onto a chair and went to the refrigerator to pour myself a glass of milk. I took a seat at the table to drink it, feeling three pairs of eyes, two brown and one blue, boring into me.
"What?" I asked.
"How was it?" Rosebud asked.
"It was okay."
"Well, did you have a good time?" This was Biggie.
"I guess. Are there any cookies left?"
Willie Mae went to the pantry and set a bag of store-bought cookies in front of me. "Did you dance?"
"Uh-huh."
"Who'd you dance with?" Biggie wanted to know.
I took a bite off an Oreo and took a swig of milk. "Lots of people."
"Name one." Biggie was getting exasperated.
"Misty, mostly." I sighed.
"Were they all surprised when you come walkin' in with two gals on your arm?" This was Rosebud.
I sighed. I figured if I was ever going to get to bed, I'd better come clean. "Yeah. Their eyes just about popped outta their heads when we walked in the door. The funny thing was, Monica didn't even look like herself. With that new dress and her wig, she was a fox. The guys all wanted to dance with her, so I was stuck with Misty most of the night. Once when I tried to cut in on DeWayne Boggs while he was dancing a slow dance with old Monica, he threatened to punch me out. Who would of believed it?"
"Who indeed?" Biggie said.
I stood up. "Can I go to bed now? I'm supposed to go out to the farm tomorrow. Me and Monica are going persimmon picking."
Willie Mae's King Ranch Casserole
There are many versions of the famous King Ranch Casserole in Texas, but we think Willie Mae's is the best.
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pint sour cream
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chiles
1 bag Doritos brand corn chips
1 (3 or 4 pound) chicken, boiled
1 cup broth from chicken
2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
Boil your chicken good until the meat is falling off the bones. Let it cool. Oil up a casserole dish. I use about a three-quart one. Then you mix up your soups and your sour cream with enough chicken broth to make it about as thick as good creamy gravy. Put some corn chips in the bottom of the dish, then put in half the chicken, which you have pulled off the bone and cut in pieces. Next you pour on half the soup mixture. Do that again then sprinkle on your cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour— or less if it gets done sooner.
Serve this up with a good salad. I like Bibb lettuce with avocado slices, dressed with a little lime juice and olive oil.