Read Online 5 Windy City Hunter by Maddie Cochere - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Maddie Cochere
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lots of chocolate, almond, and fresh cream. It’s a winner.” He clapped his hands once for emphasis. His enthusiasm was entertaining.
After filling our plates with more savory treats, Dee went her own way, but Craig stayed with me and Darby as we mingled throughout the crowd. I noticed he looked at his watch a few times, and at 9:30 he excused himself.
A short, plump woman approached us, and I liked her even before she spoke. Her face was friendly, her smile was warm, and she had a grandmotherly quality about her. She seemed to be looking for us.
“Hi, I’m Bonnie Montgomery,” she said. Her southern accent wasn’t strong, but it was apparent right away. “My tag doesn’t have my number on it, but I’m number eighty, so I guess you’ll be cookin’ across from me.”
She rounded out our group that would be at the end of our row of cooking stations. Dee would be beside Darby with Craig across from her, and here was Bonnie who would be across from Darby and next to Craig.
We introduced ourselves to her, and Darby asked, “What are you making tomorrow, Bonnie?”
“I’m bakin’ a pie,” she said. “I’m from Tennessee, and I’m makin’ my momma’s famous Tennessee Pecan Pie. What are y’all makin’?”
“I’m giving my grandmother’s coffee cake a whirl,” Darby said.
A woman with a clipboard had come to stand beside Bonnie while she and Darby were talking. When there was an opening, she asked, “Did you find your new spot, Bonnie? Number eighty? All of your things have been moved, and your ingredients will be on your station tomorrow.”
Bonnie nodded her head and said, “Everythin’ is perfect, Irene. Thank you.”
Irene’s nametag identified her as a contest worker. Before walking away, she said, “You’re welcome.”
“Have things changed?” I asked. “You won’t be across from us tomorrow?”
Bonnie appeared somewhat uncomfortable, but she continued smiling and said, “Yes, I will. I asked to be moved from the middle of the room to an outer station, because I struggle with claustrophobia. Irene was lookin’ into the move earlier this evenin’, and it was just now taken care of, so, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without waiting for a response from either of us, she abruptly ended the conversation by simply walking away.
I turned to Darby and said. “I have to run to the restroom. Will you stay in this general area so I can find you when I get back?”
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll either be right here or over at the horse doers table.”
I started to giggle and punched him lightly on the arm. “Don’t make me laugh. I don’t want to lose control of my laughing or my bladder. I’ll be right back.”
I made my way into the hallway, but I wasn’t sure which way to go. I walked to my left and around a corner. Not too far down were signs for restrooms. When I opened the door to the ladies room, I was relieved to find it unoccupied.
After washing my hands, brushing my hair, and freshening my makeup, I grabbed the door handle, but loud voices stopped me from opening it. I recognized one of the voices. I opened the door a crack and peeked out. Craig was arguing with someone.
“I delivered the painting, and I want the rest of my money,” Craig said.
“You’ll get it when the painting is sold,” the other man said. “Not another penny before.”
“That wasn’t our deal,” Craig argued.
“It’s out of my hands,” said the other man. “We should have a buyer lined up in a day or two, so cool your jets.”
“I don’t trust you not to stiff me on this, George. Something doesn’t feel right,” Craig said as he took a step back and looked down at his shoes and pink laces.
The man stepped forward and shoved his finger under Craig’s chin. I had to hold back a gasp. It was the man from outside Check Casher. He must have given Craig the first half of the money when I saw them at the gas station.
“Listen, Craig,” he said with a snarl. “Don’t call me
After filling our plates with more savory treats, Dee went her own way, but Craig stayed with me and Darby as we mingled throughout the crowd. I noticed he looked at his watch a few times, and at 9:30 he excused himself.
A short, plump woman approached us, and I liked her even before she spoke. Her face was friendly, her smile was warm, and she had a grandmotherly quality about her. She seemed to be looking for us.
“Hi, I’m Bonnie Montgomery,” she said. Her southern accent wasn’t strong, but it was apparent right away. “My tag doesn’t have my number on it, but I’m number eighty, so I guess you’ll be cookin’ across from me.”
She rounded out our group that would be at the end of our row of cooking stations. Dee would be beside Darby with Craig across from her, and here was Bonnie who would be across from Darby and next to Craig.
We introduced ourselves to her, and Darby asked, “What are you making tomorrow, Bonnie?”
“I’m bakin’ a pie,” she said. “I’m from Tennessee, and I’m makin’ my momma’s famous Tennessee Pecan Pie. What are y’all makin’?”
“I’m giving my grandmother’s coffee cake a whirl,” Darby said.
A woman with a clipboard had come to stand beside Bonnie while she and Darby were talking. When there was an opening, she asked, “Did you find your new spot, Bonnie? Number eighty? All of your things have been moved, and your ingredients will be on your station tomorrow.”
Bonnie nodded her head and said, “Everythin’ is perfect, Irene. Thank you.”
Irene’s nametag identified her as a contest worker. Before walking away, she said, “You’re welcome.”
“Have things changed?” I asked. “You won’t be across from us tomorrow?”
Bonnie appeared somewhat uncomfortable, but she continued smiling and said, “Yes, I will. I asked to be moved from the middle of the room to an outer station, because I struggle with claustrophobia. Irene was lookin’ into the move earlier this evenin’, and it was just now taken care of, so, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without waiting for a response from either of us, she abruptly ended the conversation by simply walking away.
I turned to Darby and said. “I have to run to the restroom. Will you stay in this general area so I can find you when I get back?”
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll either be right here or over at the horse doers table.”
I started to giggle and punched him lightly on the arm. “Don’t make me laugh. I don’t want to lose control of my laughing or my bladder. I’ll be right back.”
I made my way into the hallway, but I wasn’t sure which way to go. I walked to my left and around a corner. Not too far down were signs for restrooms. When I opened the door to the ladies room, I was relieved to find it unoccupied.
After washing my hands, brushing my hair, and freshening my makeup, I grabbed the door handle, but loud voices stopped me from opening it. I recognized one of the voices. I opened the door a crack and peeked out. Craig was arguing with someone.
“I delivered the painting, and I want the rest of my money,” Craig said.
“You’ll get it when the painting is sold,” the other man said. “Not another penny before.”
“That wasn’t our deal,” Craig argued.
“It’s out of my hands,” said the other man. “We should have a buyer lined up in a day or two, so cool your jets.”
“I don’t trust you not to stiff me on this, George. Something doesn’t feel right,” Craig said as he took a step back and looked down at his shoes and pink laces.
The man stepped forward and shoved his finger under Craig’s chin. I had to hold back a gasp. It was the man from outside Check Casher. He must have given Craig the first half of the money when I saw them at the gas station.
“Listen, Craig,” he said with a snarl. “Don’t call me
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