Page 107 of Married With Malice

“Or you’ll get the broom,” Peggy says ominously. She has begun pulling ingredients out of the pantry.

There’s a yellow-bristled broom with a chipped red handle leaning against the wall beside the stove. I’m unsure what Peggy means to do with it if she’s disobeyed.

“I definitely don’t want the broom,” Luca decides. He bends down, his smile loaded with charm. “Kiss me, Anni.”

How can I say no? Pulling him by the fabric of his hoodie, our lips meet for a few delirious seconds and then I break away.

“That’s all the action you’re getting until our date tonight.”

“Gives me something to aim for.” He kisses two fingers and presses them to my lips, jogging a memory of our wedding night when he did the same thing in a hospital hallway. “Until tonight, my love.”

The second he’s gone, Peggy shakes her head and measures out a cup of sugar.

“That boy,” she says like a swear even though I see the ghost of a smile battling her mouth.

There’s a smile on my face and I don’t try to erase it at all.

That boy.

23

ANNALISA

Peggy teaches me how to bake bread from scratch. She helps with the dough kneading because my wrist is still sore but I accomplish a fair amount of the legwork on my own. Sadie stops by periodically to monitor our progress.

After the dough is finished rising in a large covered bowl, I peel back the tea towel and unleash a squeal of glee to find that the dough has doubled in size.

Peggy thinks I’ve lost my marbles when I take photos and send them to Daisy and Sabrina. She probably gets dough to successfully rise every day. This is my very first dough. I’m damn proud of it.

Just after lunch, there’s an outbreak of dogs barking and tails wagging when a new visitor arrives at the ranch.

“Where is she?” exclaims an unknown voice.

Sadie laughs. “Peggy’s kitchen. Don’t scare her.”

The door is thrown open and a very unusual person stands there gaping at me. She’s very pretty with jet black hair and wide brown eyes behind purple-framed glasses. But it’s her wardrobe that really demands a double take.

She wears a pumpkin-colored swing dress and the skirt is patterned with black cats. An old fashioned thick black velvet cape hangs around her shoulders. Silver skulls dangle from her ears. Her headband matches her dress. She looks like she got lost returning from a costume party.

The costumed woman squeals. She doesn’t wait for me to speak before advancing and throwing her arms around me with a very unexpected and highly enthusiastic hug. “There you are, you perfect girl!”

I have no idea what to make of this greeting.

Fortunately, Sadie shuffles in and ends the mystery. “Anni, you’ve just been tackled by my best friend, Gus, who didn’t follow instructions when I warned her not to maul you.”

Gus ends the bear hug with reluctance and settles for pumping my hand. “Dr. Amelia Edelstein, lone veterinarian of Sleepy Rock and ardent Halloween enthusiast.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m married to Cale’s brother, Luca.”

“She knows,” says Sadie. “Gus is your biggest fan.”

I didn’t know I had any fans at all. Occasionally I run into people who remember my figure skating competitions but they never act like this.

“Do you like skating?” I ask Gus.

“Not really,” she admits. “But I heard you were an absolute prodigy so that just makes you even more amazing.”

She beams.

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