Read Online Hickory Smoked Homicide by Riley Adams - Free Book Online

join the Women’s League—and Tristan had been blackballing her and Cherry. Tristan wanted nothing to do with Loren, either—Steffi was right about that. I wonder if Tristan Pembroke really was allergic to love—and she felt that need to push back whenever someone started getting too close.”
    Sara said, “You know, I hope that portrait turns up. If Loren had Tristan’s cold eyes following him around his office or wherever he’s planning on sticking that portrait, it might be enough to cure him of his infatuation for life. I don’t know if his wife will want him back, though.”
    The office door swung open and Lulu’s granddaughter Ella Beth, Coco’s twin, stuck her head in, ponytail swinging. “Granny Lulu? There’s a man out in the dining room who’s asking to talk to you.”
    Lulu frowned. “ Another man needing to talk? This day is getting on the gabby side.”
    Sara said slowly, “Ella Beth, did the man say what his name was?”
    “I can’t remember the last name he said, but his first name was Gordon.”
    Sara closed her eyes briefly as Ella Beth went back out of the office, and Lulu said, “What? Do you know who this man is, Sara?”
    “I don’t know him, Lulu, but I think I know who he is. Ben was telling me about him yesterday, and with everything going on, I forgot to give you a heads-up.” Sara took a deep breath. “Your son is setting you up on a blind date. Real blind, apparently, since he didn’t even tell you that you were going to be meeting this guy.”
    “ What? ” Lulu’s stomach knotted up with the horror of it all. She believed she felt sicker over this than she had over finding Tristan’s body.
    “Ben thought it was the best idea ever,” said Sara with a sigh. “This fellow is supposed to be some big food blogger.”
    “A what? ”
    “He has some sort of online magazine that he updates every day with pictures and recipes and people’s restaurants. A whole bunch of people read his posts, apparently. He just moved to Memphis, he’s single, he’s your age, and he likes food. I guess that was enough for Ben to think y’all would be smitten with each other.”
    Lulu got up quickly and grabbed her pocketbook.
    “What are you doing?” asked Sara.
    “Honey, I’m getting the heck out of Dodge, that’s what! I don’t want to be going on any blind dates. Ben probably didn’t even notice if this guy is nice looking or likes women or anything. I’m going to hightail it out the back door while the getting’s good. If you could cover for me and tell him that I left early for the day—that I had a headache coming on after all the craziness last night.”
    It was too late. There was a light tap on the door, and then it swung open again. Ben was there in the doorway, blocking it, thought Lulu furiously. He said in a hearty voice, “There’s someone I would absolutely love for y’all to meet. Sara and Mother, this is Gordon McDonald. He’s our special guest at Aunt Pat’s today. Mother, remember how I told you about Gordon visiting and how excited you were?” Ben gave her an innocent look, which only succeeded in making Lulu more furious with him.
    Still, years of using good company manners couldn’t really be disregarded, no matter how hard she might try. “Mr. McDonald, it’s nice to meet you,” Lulu said stiffly, holding out her hand.
    There was really nothing wrong with the man, thought Lulu. It was just the high-handed way that Ben had set this up that set her teeth on edge. Gordon looked like a perfectly nice man. He had a neatly trimmed white beard and white hair. He had a pleasant smile and a small tummy that spoke of years of enjoying good food. It was a shame that she was dead set not to like him.
    Before she could say anything else, Ben added cheerfully, “I’ve got a wonderful red-velvet cake that Mother made this morning, Gordon. How about if I bring you out a slice?”
    Gordon’s eyes widened. “You sure do believe in southern hospitality here, Ben.