“Yes, I did. It was much appreciated. But I wanted to thank you in person. You didn’t press the issue of the … the other card. You saved me a lot of heartache with that gesture and I wanted you to know how grateful I am.”
“I’m glad I could be of help,” Tori said and accepted the flowers.
“Perhaps we’ll have tea again soon,” Lucinda said.
“I’d enjoy that,” Tori replied.
Lucinda nodded and took in the group. “Ladies.”
Everyone gave her a wave and, with dignity, Lucinda walked back to the car and allowed Collins to help her into the back seat. They watched as the big car backed onto the highway and then headed toward Resort Road.
“Well, that was unexpected,” Anissa said.
“It sure was,” Tori agreed.
“For a minute there, I thought I was going to get the roses,” Kathy said, feeling just a little hurt.
“You and me both,” Tori said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I intend to keep them.”
“They’ll look pretty on the kitchen table.”
“Sounds like we all have reason to celebrate,” Anissa said.
“And I want to treat you ladies to supper at The Bay Bar. I’m cooking up beer-battered haddock tonight. Are you game?” Noreen asked.
“I never say no to free food,” Anissa said and laughed.
“Me, neither,” Tori said.
“I’m not about to buck the tradition. But first I’ve got a batch of cookies to bake before my guests arrive.”
“What’s the recipe this time?” Anissa asked.
“Chocolate chip oatmeal.”
“My favorite,” Tori said.
“I’ll make a double batch so we can all have some for dessert.”
“How about you ladies come on over to the bar around seven?”
“Perfect. Meanwhile, I’ll go put these roses in water,” Tori said.
“And I’ve got a plugged kitchen sink to fix over at Willow Point,” Anissa chimed in.
“Okay. See you then,” Noreen said and give them a wave before heading back to the bar.
Tori and Anissa got in their trucks, honked their horns in salute, and pulled out of the lot.
Kathy waved as well, then turned and entered Swans Nest, enjoying what was turning out to be the best day of her life.
Kathy’s Recipes
Sunflower Seed Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups quick oats
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup sunflower seeds
* * *
Preheat the oven to 325ºF (170ºC, Gas Mark 3). Cream the shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Blend in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour, the soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well and stir in the oats, coconut, and sunflower seeds. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until brown. Do not overbake!
* * *
Yield: Approximately 60 cookies
* * *
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
1 cup granulated sugar
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup), melted and cooled
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
For the Icing:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* * *
For the muffins: Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC, Gas Mark 6) and center a rack in it. Butter or spray the 12 molds in a regular-size muffin pan or insert paper muffin cups. In a large bowl, rub the sugar and the lemon zest together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and the scent of the lemon is strong. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, lemon juice and melted butter together until well blended. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently stir to blend. Don’t overmix. Stir in the poppy seeds. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing each muffin from its mold. Cool the muffins completely on the rack before icing them.
* * *
To make the icing: Put the confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl and add about 1½ tablespoons of the lemon juice. Stir with a spoon to moisten the sugar, then add enough additional lemon juice, a few drops at a time, to get an icing that is thin enough to drizzle from the tip of the spoon. Glaze over the muffins. Serve.
* * *
Yield: 12 muffins
* * *
Cream of Brussels Sprouts Soup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
¼ cup grated carrot
14 roasted garlic cloves, mashed and rough chopped, divided
3 cups Brussels sprouts, washed, stem-end trimmed and quartered*
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon dried parsley
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
hot pepper sauce
salt to taste (optional)
1 cup cream or milk
Butter, freshly grated pepper, and parsley (optional)
* * *
In a large pot melt butter with the oil. Sauté the onions, carrots, and half the garlic for 4 minutes. Add the Brussels sprouts, pepper, nutmeg, parsley, broth, pepper sauce, and salt if using, bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Add the cream and remaining garlic. Blend the soup with an immersion blender or carefully in a blender. Pour into bowls topped with a dab of butter and fresh grated pepper. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley.
* * *
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
* * *
*Can substitute 3 cups spinach or 3 cups broccoli.
COMING SOON: The Best of Swans Nest
Kathy Grant, owner of the Swans Nest Inn on beautiful Lotus Bay, has collected an entire book of mouth-watering recipes that she not only offers her B and B guests, but the brides who book their engagement and wedding parties at the inn.
* * *
About the Author
The immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent—whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett—that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series, Tales of Telenia adventure-fantasy saga, and now the Lotus Bay Mysteries, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works, and sign up for her emailed newsletter here: http://www.LLBartlett.com
If you enjoyed A REEL CATCH, please consider reviewing it on your favorite online review site. Thank you!
Find me on these other sites:
www.lorrainebartlett.com
Also by Lorraine Bartlett
The Lotus Bay Mysteries
Panty Raid (A Tori Cannon-Kathy Grant mini mystery)
With Baited Breath
Christmas At Swans Nest
A Reel Catch
* * *
The Victoria Square
Mysteries
A Crafty Killing
The Walled Flower
One Hot Murder
Dead, Bath and Beyond (with Laurie Cass)
Yule Be Dead (with Gayle Leeson)
Recipes To Die For: A Victoria Square Cookbooks
* * *
Life On Victoria SquareCarving Out A Path
Carving Out A Path
A Basket Full of Bargains
The Broken Teacup
It’s Tutu Much
* * *
Tales From Blythe Cove Manor
A Dream Weekend
A Final Gift
An Unexpected Visitor
Grape Expectations
* * *
Tales of Telenia
(adventure-fantasy)
THRESHOLD
JOURNEY
TREACHERY (2019)
* * *
Short Stories
Love & Murder: A Bargain-Priced Collection of Short Stories
Happy Holidays? (A Collection of Christmas Stories)
An Unconditional Love
Love Heals
Blue Christmas
Prisoner of Love
We’re So Sorry, Uncle Albert
Writing as L.L. Bartlett
The Jeff Resnick Mysteries
Murder On The Mind
Dead In Red
Room At The Inn
Cheated By Death
Bound By Suggestion
Dark Waters
Shattered Spirits
* * *
Jeff Resnick’s Personal Files
Evolution: Jeff Resnick’s Backstory
A Jeff Resnick Six Pack
When The Spirit Moves You
Bah! Humbug
Cold Case
Spooked!
Crybaby
Eyewitness
* * *
Abused: A Daughter’s Story
Off Script
* * *
Writing as Lorna Barrett
The Booktown Mysteries
Murder Is Binding
Bookmarked For Death
Bookplate Special
Chapter & Hearse
Sentenced To Death
Murder On The Half Shelf
Not The Killing Type
Book Clubbed
A Fatal Chapter
Title Wave
Poisoned Pages
A Killer Edition
* * *
With The Cozy Chicks
The Cozy Chicks Kitchen
Tea Time With The Cozy Chicks