Read Online Grilling the Subject by Daryl Wood Gerber - Free Book Online Page B

the gingerbread town demonstration?” Katie asked. “I’ll need space.” She signaled that bookshelves would need to be moved. Luckily, all our bookshelves were on coasters and glided easily whenever we wanted to rearrange. “We’ll need to set up chairs, too. Our guests are due in an hour.” We offered reserved seats for these events.
    â€œWill do! In the meantime, bring out some of those cookies you baked.” The other day in the café’s kitchen, I had spied a few test cookies that Katie had fashioned to look like cowboy boots and horses; she had iced them in scrumptious sunset colors. “I’m starved and I need sugar!”
    â€œI’m on it.”
    While Bailey and I rearranged the store and set out folding chairs, a pair of female customers strolled in. Tourists, I figured. I didn’t recognize either of them.
    â€œHello,” I chirped merrily, getting the all-knowing look from Bailey. Perhaps I was overplaying my happy-go-luckiness, if there was such a word. “Don’t mind us,” I added and told the women about the gingerbread demonstration in an hour. “It will be standing room only, if you don’t have tickets.”
    â€œOh, but we do,” the shorter of the two said. “I picked them up the other day when I had my fortune told. Hello, Vera!” She wiggled her fingers at my aunt, who was still studying the tarot cards. “Your prediction came true.” Giggling, the two women sauntered to the dessert section.
    â€œSo how are the wedding plans going?” I asked Bailey.
    She frowned. “Exactly what do you think I’ve accomplished since last night’s reception?”
    â€œDon’t get snippy with me. Do you have a date?”
    â€œA couple. It depends on the venue.”
    â€œWhat are your choices?”
    â€œWe’re going back and forth between a church and a vineyard and Nature’s Retreat with its spectacular view.”
    â€œI pick the latter.” Nature’s Retreat is a lovely inn tucked into the hills. “You know what could be fun? Have a bunch of artists around that day painting portraits of the guests in the garden. Wouldn’t that be cool?” Crystal Cove draws artists to its shores all the time. There is an artist camp in the hills that offers four- and six-week sessions.
    â€œThat sounds like something you’d like for
your
wedding.”
    â€œI’m not getting married.”
    â€œRight now. But you might in the future.”
    My cheeks flushed. Had she overheard Rhett say he loved me? I brushed the thought aside. Marriage. No. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t sure I would ever be ready again.
    â€œDo you have a wedding dress and a florist?” I asked.
    â€œAll in good time. Don’t rush me.”
    â€œAhem.” I purposefully cleared my throat. “I know how much you like to be prepared. Speaking of which, have Tito and you decided where you’re going to reside?” Tito lives in a house that is too square, in the geometric sense: square bedroom, square living room, square kitchen, square patio. There isn’t a rectangle to be had. At first glance, it had driven Bailey crazy. On the other hand, her apartment is too small for the two of them, plus they want a place with a yard so their American shorthair cat, Hershey, who has finally warmed to Bailey after she stopped being nervous around him, can roam.
    â€œNot yet. I think Tito is finally on board to work with a Realtor.”
    â€œAva Judge?”
    â€œTito’s leaning toward the other one, the
guy
Realtor.” She rolled her eyes.
    â€œYou have a say.”
    â€œAnd I’ve said that I want Ava.”
    â€œAren’t relationships fun? There’s always something to negotiate.” I was speaking from experience. When my husband,David, and I first rented a place together, we went round and round about clutter. He hated it; I liked to have my
things
nearby.