THE BLUE STALKER (29 page)

             
“Susan can you put the rolls in the oven and set it on 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or till they are slightly brown.”  Maria asked

             
“Maria, you know a lot about cooking.”  Susan said.

             
“I’m just learning, this is my first turkey dinner to make.  I’m going by my Mom’s directions.  She gave me all the recipes for this dinner.

             
Ella took the green bean casserole from the oven.  “This smells fantastic. I love green bean casserole. The candied yams came out next and their sweet aroma permeated the room. 

             
Maria set the turkey at the head of the table.  The serving dishes were filled with traditional thanksgiving food.

             
Everyone sat at the table Ella asked Juan to set at the head of the table. A chair was removed from the table  and Jose’s highchair was pulled up to the table with the tray  attached.

             
Ron filled the crystal glasses with the sparkling cider.  Ella lifted her glass.

             
“Everyone I would like to make a toast.  To my new friends.  May your life be filled with love and may you prosper.”  Glasses clinked and everyone took at sip. 

             
“Juan will you do the honors and carve the turkey?”  Ella asked.

             
Juan was a little nervous since it was his first time carving a turkey.

             
Everyone enjoyed the food and compliments were given to Maria.

             
Ella spoke up. “Our ancestors are all immigrants to this country.  They all came looking for a  better life.  Just as many come today looking for a new and better life.  I’m proud to be an American and wish you all the best.”

             
“Thank you Ms. Ella.”  Juan said.  “We are happy to live in this country.  We are blessed.”

             
Maria took the plates from the table and served pumpkin pie with a dollop of heavy whipped cream on top.

Maria, this is delicious.  It’s so smooth and creamy.  You have prepared a delicious dinner. Thank you.”  Ella told her.

Everyone complimented Maria on the great food.  Maria smiled with satisfaction.

             
The ladies cleaned the dishes and the kitchen.  Susan carefully put away all the fine china, crystal and silverware.  Ella carried the linens to the laundry room.  She smell her mothers crocheted tablecloth.  No one spilled on it.  It still smelled of her mother.  Ella carried it to her bedroom and put it in the bottom drawer with her memory books.

             
Juan built a fire and everyone stood around the fireplace to warm themselves.  Ella mentioned Juan is going to renovate the house. Starting with the interior and working to the outside. I thought he could work on the interior this winter and do the exterior next spring.” Ella said.

             
“Do you have an idea of what you want to change?” Ron asked.

             
“I do. There are some structure work to be done. The bathrooms need to be gutted and all new cabinets an fixtures need to be installed.  The kitchen needs new cabinets an appliances and I want granite countertops.  The floors need to be refinished and the walls painted.”  Ella told them.

             
“I enjoy drawing up plans.  I could draw up the plans for your renovation?”  Ron offered.

             
“That would be nice.” Ella accepted his offer.  “That is if you will let me pay you.” Ella said.

             
“Okay, if you wish.” Ron accepted the job.

             
The sun was dropping behind the mountain.  The colors of the sky were golden yellow.  It had been a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. New friends, new surrounding and new hope for everyone.

             
Ron and Susan excused themselves and made their way home.

             
“I’m starting to like living here.”  Susan told Ron.

             
“Yeah, me too. But we can’t make a good living in a small town.  We need to get back to Oklahoma City. When we find Paul and Nellie or find out what happened to them.”  Ron said.

“Do you think the answers are here?“  Susan asked.

“Could be.” Ron said as he pulled up to the apartment.

TWENTY-TWO

             
Ella woke early thinking about the wonderful time everyone had yesterday. It was so nice to have a family and friends. She wished Frank could have spent the day with her but she understood even though she didn’t want to face reality. She shook it off and looked at the gapping drape allowing the sun to make its mark across her bed. Slowly she pulled her legs off the bed and felt the soft shag carpet between her toes.  Stretching as she made her way to the window pulling the drapes back to allow the sunlight to invade the room.

             
There was Juan on his riding lawn mower.  He looks like a man in control sitting high in the seat of the mower.  Ella thought to herself. Juan’s a good man. I hope good things come his way in life.

             
Ella showered and readied herself for a day of work.  She put on a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and a pair of sneakers.  The station wagon was dirty and she thought she would take it by the ‘do it yourself’ car wash.  Something she had never under taken but Coopersville didn’t have a car wash for people that don’t want to get their hands dirty.

             
Tony would be knocking at the back door with the flower order.  The shop didn’t get much care with all the orders they sent out on Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day.

             
Ella noticed a note pad with the name Mom and a phone number. She jotted down the number before Maria could see her. She wanted to call Maria’s mom and invite her to come for Christmas.

             
“Maria you need to rest today yesterday was very demanding on you. Maybe you should call your mother and thank her for giving you the recipes.”  Ella suggested.

             
“Thank you Ms. Ella. I will call her today.”  Maria told Ella as she poured Ella and herself a cup of coffee.

Ella poured milk in her coffee and stirred it in a circle eight turning her spoon in the steaming hot coffee.

             
“What’s your mother’s name?”  Ella asked.

             
“My mother’s name is Juanita.”  Maria said.

             
“What’s her last name?”  Ella asked trying not to sound to nosey.

             
“Garcia, she lives in a small village in Mexico.”  Maria volunteered the information.

             
“I miss her and she misses me but she knows I am blessed to be living here.  She is happy for me.”  Maria shared her mother’s feelings.

             
“I can imagine how much you miss each other.”  Ella said as she grabbed her leather jacket off the rack behind the kitchen door. Putting one arm in opening the door with the other hand. 

             
“Have a good day Maria, Ella said as she sipped her coffee and quickly set the cup on the table.  Out the door she flew ready for another day in the flower business. 

             
Ella drove into town enjoying the changing colors of the trees.  When she go to the turn off for Ninth Street, she thought, should she drive by the drop-house?  She decided to go against her better judgment and drive down Ninth Street.

             
As she slowly crept down the street kids dressed in sock hats and parkas were playing football in the street.  Their breath was evidenced in the cold air.  She waved as they stepped to the side of the street allow Ella to make her way past the drop-house.

             
The green van was gone.  “Thank goodness!  The FBI has finally raided the place. Ella felt a sense of relief.  Relieved from the worry of the condition of the Mexican men.

             
Ella felt she and Frank had taken care of the situation the best they knew how. Now the FBI would be able to get rid of the Cartel connection in this town. Or, would they?

             
Ella drove back to Main Street and headed for the shop.  Tony had dropped off the order and the crew was processing flowers and cleaning the shop.

             
“Good morning everyone.”  Ella said with a smile on her face.

             
“Good morning Ella.”  They sang back as if they were a choir.

             
“Well, look at that I think Ella came dressed for

work today.”  Alicia said as she handed Ella the broom.

             
“Oh, Alicia that broom doesn’t fit my hand. In all my years I haven’t found a broom my size.”  Ella said with a laugh grabbing hold of the broom with Alicia holding tight.  The ladies laughed and Alicia continued with the sweeping.

             
“I know I may come off bossy sometimes but I’ve been I the flower business for many years.  No, I’m not going to tell you how many, don’t ask.”  Alicia said.

             
Everyone listened as Alicia began to speak.  “We have the biggest month in the flower business coming up. During the month of December people celebrate all month with parties, dinners and other occasions. We need to get this place looking like Christmas.

             
“That’s right.”  Ella said. “We need Christmas decorating materials. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that when we were stocking the shop.”

             
“Alicia, can I count on you to get an order in to Fred’s Wholesale Flowers before noon tomorrow?”  Ella asked.

“You got it Ella.  I would be happy to make the Christmas order and the daily flower order.”  Alicia said sweeping the debris into the dust pan.

             
“I have a catalog from the Floral Wholesale Supply Company in Baker.  Would you go through it and order what you think we need for our Christmas floral designing.”  Ella asked Alicia.

             
“Susan would you also go through it and order things to decorate the store?  We want this shop to out shine the best of flower shops.”  Ella said looking at both ladies.

             
“Do we have a limit on how much we can spend?” Susan asked.

             
“No, just think of it as your investment when you are making the order and we should be fine.”  Ella told the ladies.

             
Ella handed Susan the catalog and said.  “Go for it I want this store to shine and your are my merchandiser.  You know what to do.” Ella said with a big smile letting Susan know Ella is aware of her talent.