Building Blocks of Murder (21 page)
“Sounds super,” he said with forced enthusiasm.
She tried to give his waist a painful squeeze, but she was sure he barely felt it. “You’re not even trying.”
He smiled down at her and put his arms around her, returning her squeeze. “Try again. Tell me how amazing it’s going to be.”
“You’re making fun of me,” she accused.
He shook his head. “I’m not. When you say it, I can almost picture it.”
She told him again about her plans for the structure, and to his credit he looked slightly more enthused this time.
“One question, Red,” he said when she finished. “Where are you going to get
these phantom tenants?”
“Actually,” she began. She checked his watch, squinting against the darkness. “I’m supposed to be meeting one here today.”
As if prompted by her words, the front door squeaked open, and a tentative voice called out a greeting.
“Hello,” Lacy said. “Come in, we’re in here.” At her grandfather’s suggestion, she had put out an ad for artists and entrepreneurs who might be willing to open a store in the market as soon as it was remodeled in a few months. So far she’d had one response, the person she was meeting with today.
The woman stepped into view, looking like the type of woman Lacy had suspected would open a bead shop--tall, blond, and attractive. She had been skeptical that a bead store could make it, but the woman had explained that a lot of people made jewelry as a hobby. In her current location, her store was thriving, but she was looking to make a change and thought the Stakely building sounded ideal.
Lacy let go of Jason and stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “I’m Lacy Steele.”
“I’m Cindy…”
“
Davenport
!”
Both women turned to Jason with surprise when he finished Cindy’s greeting for her.
“You know her?” Lacy asked. Her tone dimmed as she took in the way Cindy and Jason were now staring at each other.
“Of course I do,” Jason said. “And so do you.” He stepped forward and picked Cindy up, twirling her in a circle before returning her to the ground. “I can’t believe this.”
Lacy frowned. “What do you mean I know her?”
Jason finally tore his eyes off Cindy and turned to Lacy, exasperated. “Cindy Davenport,” he reiterated. “She was a year ahead of us. She was a cheerleader. She was my girlfriend,” he said, giving Cindy a wink and a smile.
Lacy felt a sinking feeling she was sure had nothing to do with her memory lapse. “Oh, okay.” In high school, she hadn’t paid much attention to the beautiful people, as she had called them. But after Jason jogged her mind, she vaguely remembered peppy and pretty Cindy, who had always hovered near Jason as he walked down the hall. “Super,” she added, but neither one paid her any attention because they were still staring at each other.
“Perfect,” Cindy said as she beamed at Jason. “This is absolutely perfect. I can’t believe you’re still here. It’s like fate.”
“Fate,” Jason repeated.
Fate, Lacy decided, needed a big fat fist in the mouth.
Lucinda’s Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe (Adapted from
Gourmet
magazine)
4 ½ C. All Purpose Flour
1 ½ tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
3 Sticks Unsalted Butter
1 1/3 C. Peanut Butter
2/3 C. Sugar
2/1/4 C. Brown Sugar
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil
3 Whole eggs & 2 Yolks
2 T. Vanilla
1 Bag Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips
Whisk dry ingredients together and set aside. Cream butter, peanut butter, sugars, and vegetable oil until pale and creamy. Add vanilla and then eggs and yolks, one at a time. Add dry ingredients and mix. Add chips. Roll into 1” balls and flatten. Bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes or until golden brown on edges.
*Lucinda’s note: I like to make cookie dough ahead of time and chill overnight before baking.