The Diva Spices It Up (A Domestic Diva Mystery #13) - Krista Davis Page 0,3
garbage can in place, let his tie fall back to his chest, and strode away.
I looked around. No one else seemed to be watching him. Hadn’t anyone else noticed what he just did?
A car honked at us, and we dashed across the street. I couldn’t help myself—I turned right and followed him.
Chapter 2
Dear Natasha,
I love your TV show. You inspire me! I’m throwing a party and I’m planning to serve your jalapeño poppers. What do you recommend as a drink to go with them?
Hot Mama in Volcano, Hawaii
Dear Hot Mama,
As much as I love those jalapeño poppers, I’m afraid they’re passé. Look for recipes involving smoked salts or peppered fish and meats. Or go all-out with fermented garlic! That’s what’s on trend right now.
Natasha
Unfortunately, Natasha intercepted me. “Sophie! Sophie! Where have you been? I went by your house half a dozen times last week, but you weren’t home. You really should let me know if you’re going out of town.”
I watched the man round the corner at Cameron Street and debated whether to run to catch up to him. It was ridiculous, of course. Even if I saw him go into a house or building, it would be meaningless. And then I did something completely out of character.
“Excuse me, Natasha.” I took off after the man with Daisy romping alongside me. I was out of breath by the time I reached the intersection where he had turned. He was gone. I stood there for a moment, scanning the sidewalks. They were nearly empty. I’d have seen him if he hadn’t turned somewhere or entered a building.
I sucked in some deep breaths. Maybe I had lost my perspective. I thought there was something sinister about the suitcase in the river, and now I was chasing a man who had caught my attention. I was being ridiculous.
When I turned back, Natasha still stood where I had left her. She wore an angry expression and had crossed her arms in irritation.
I trudged back. “Sorry.”
“What was that about?”
“I thought I saw someone I knew,” I lied. If I told her about the soda can she would think I had lost my mind.
“I was saying that you should keep me informed if you leave.”
“I have a phone,” I said wryly.
“But this is important. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I wanted to tell you in person.”
I bit back the temptation to be snarky. “What is your wonderful news?”
Natasha looked me over. “What are you wearing? Oh, Sophie! I don’t know what to say. Have you fallen on hard times?”
I laughed. “Natasha, are you going to tell me your good news?”
“I thought we might get a cup of coffee, but if you’re dressed like that . . .”
I paid no attention to what she was saying. I had known Natasha since we were in grade school. The two of us had competed at everything except the beauty pageants that Natasha had treasured. She still maintained the kind of figure that clothes were meant to hang on. No elastic waistbands for her. She wore a black sweater with the sleeves pushed up and a black-and-white plaid skirt. The kind of skirt with a gathered waist that I longed to wear. But unlike Natasha, I was short and not slender. I would look twice as wide as I already was. She finished the outfit with black leather boots. While part of me hated to admit it, she looked chic.
And now she gazed at me, raised her eyebrows, and nodded. “You will, won’t you?”
Oy. Natasha was prone to outlandish ideas. I didn’t dare say yes without knowing to what I was agreeing.
She tilted her head. “I would offer you something to wear, but I don’t think you would fit in my size.”
“Thank you. It’s really not necessary. I’m heading home.” I started to walk in the direction of our houses, and she went with me. “Now, what was it you wanted me to do?”
“Come to my party? I’m worried about you, Sophie. Didn’t you hear a word that I said? I found my sister!”
Chapter 3
Dear Sophie,
My boyfriend’s mother uses black pepper in one of the cakes she likes to bake. I try to be open-minded, but that strikes me as odd. Who would bake sweets with black pepper in them?
Girlfriend in Pepper Pike, Ohio
Dear Girlfriend,
Pepper is used in cookies from South Africa to Norway. It’s not uncommon to find it in spice cakes, either. You might like it!