Dying for Dinner Rolls Read Online Free PDF Page A

the hell did we decide to walk?” Annie Mae sputtered as she gasped for breath. “I sure as hell did not get my PhD and work all those years at the university to finally retire then die of heatstroke.”
    “Stop griping,” José said to Annie Mae. “You’re a woman of leisure now. How would you like to put your life on the line everyday like I do?”
    “What the hell has that got to do with anything?” Annie Mae retorted.
    “Everything and nothing,” José shot back and grabbed Annie Mae around her waist. He gave her a big squeeze.
    “You let go of me now.” Annie Mae giggled. “I’m calling the police on you for aggravated assault.”
    “I am the police.” José let her go as he playfully patted her bottom.
    “All right, you two, cut it out,” I joked. “Jeez. My kids are better behaved.”
    “Which set? Your teen boys or the little girls?” Bezu asked me.
    “Both.” I tapped José on the arm. “Behave.”
    “I didn’t get a chance to talk to Lucy,” Bezu said.
    “Neither did I.” Annie Mae smiled. “She sure is thoughtful. I can’t wait to eat those peaches.”
    “Cat, you had time to chat with her. How is Bert’s retirement going?” Bezu asked.
    “I bet she finds any dang excuse she can to keep him out of her hair now that they’re both retired,” Annie Mae panted. “When I still had my Ernie, if he’d get under foot, I’d send him to the hardware store to buy a little box of something. I have a whole garage packed full of nuts, bolts, and screws.”
    “As usual, she’s busy decorating.” I lifted the hair from my warm neck and pulled it into a ponytail. “She just redid her sitting room.”
    “Her taste is absolutely exquisite.” Bezu fanned herself with her hand. “It’s hotter than blue blazes. Thank goodness, we’ve only got one more block.”
    “I feel like I’m melting.” I wiped the perspiration from my forehead.
    “Only the Wicked Witch melts,” José said to Annie Mae. “Annie baby, I’m going to miss you when you liquefy.”
    “Good one. I guess you have a brain cell in that straw head of yours.” Annie Mae whacked José on the back with her purse.
    “Assault!” Snatching Annie Mae’s purse, José put it on his arm. He swayed his hips, elbows at his side, forearms out front, and held his wrists limp. “I’m Annie. I’m sassy and politically incorrect as hell.”
    “Stop. People are looking at us.” Bezu advanced a few feet in front of the group.
    Annie Mae shook her hands about. “Who cares? You could waste your whole life trying to please everyone. All that worrying you do about what people think about you, and what you look like, and all that nonsense. You’re going to fret yourself into thin air.”
    “Take that from an expert. Annie doesn’t please anyone.” José handed Annie Mae her purse.
    “Why should I? I’ve got you crazy people who irritate the wits out of me. That’s all the aggravation I need.” Annie Mae grinned.
    “We love you, too.” My insides twisted into knots worrying about Lucy.
    “Thank goodness we’re here,” Bezu said.
    We followed Bezu up the steps to Lucy Valentine’s house.
    Bezu sighed. “Sometimes I’m embarrassed to be seen with you all out in public. Gracious, it’s like a circus show.”
    “And who doesn’t love a circus?” I rang the bell. “Except for the creepy clowns—I hate adults dressed in costumes with their faces covered. It freaks me out.”
    No one answered the door. We stood in silence for a minute.
    I tried calling Lucy again. The call went to voice mail. “Where is she?”
    “Move your sorry white behinds aside.” Annie Mae shouldered her way to the door. “This is how you get in.” She banged at the door with her fists and yelled for Lucy. All of Savannah probably heard her. Perhaps even South Carolina.
    Still no answer.
    “Apparently, Lucy is preoccupied, and we should use good manners and leave. Plus, I’m feeling a little faint from the heat and not eating.” Bezu