Hell With the Lid Blown Off Read Online Free PDF Page B

was her favorite.
    Yes, if anyone deserved an excellent husband it was Ruth. If the previous experience of four daughters’ romances hadn’t taught her to keep her opinion to herself, Alafair would have been quite the matchmaker in this instance as well. “And did you invite Trent to supper?” she asked.
    â€œI might, if I see him beforehand.” She sipped at her coffee. “Mama, would you come to supper at Miz Beckie’s tomorrow?”
    â€œI wasn’t asked.”
    â€œI’m asking you. I’m the cook, so I figure it’s all right.”
    â€œOh, no, honey, I just can’t. Since all you older girls have left the house, I’ve got too many helpless mouths to feed.” The idea that the men might feed themselves, much less feed the children, didn’t cross her mind. “But if you want, I’ll take you back to town in the buggy tomorrow after breakfast, and we can go to Khouri’s together and pick up whatever you need to cook for supper. I can even help you fix it up, if you need.”
    â€œI don’t need help cooking, Ma, but I’d appreciate it if you’d come with me to Khouri’s. He likes you, I can tell. He always gives you the best cuts.”
    Alafair smiled and shook her head. “He’s just a good, decent fellow. I don’t buy enough meat or produce off him to keep him in collar buttons.”
    Ruth Tucker
    After breakfast the next morning, Alafair drove Ruth back to town in the buggy. Chase had gone home with Mary, and Zeltha with her parents, but Alafair’s three-year-old, Grace, came along, since she was particularly energetic that morning and had been distracting her older siblings from their chores. Instead of delivering Ruth straight to Beckie MacKenzie’s, Alafair accompanied her daughter to Khouri’s Market in order to lend her expertise to the choosing of pork chops. Khouri’s Market carried meat, dairy, and produce all in one location. The quality of his merchandise was top-notch. He was so obsessed with freshness that he would never allow a wilted carrot top or a day-old egg in his store. Besides, Khouri’s was located right next to cousin Hattie Tucker’s Mercantile and so was convenient for all grocery-shopping needs.
    â€œWhat can I do for you, Miz Tucker?” Mr. Khouri asked.
    â€œNot for me today, Mr. Khouri. Today Ruth is buying, and I’m just along for the outing.”
    Mr. Khouri’s black eyes locked on Ruth with a knowing expression. “I’m going to guess that Miz Beckie is still celebrating her grandson’s homecoming, and you’re here on her behalf to buy something special for dinner.”
    Ruth laughed. There were no secrets in Boynton. “That’s the long and short of it, Mr. Khouri, and I’m impressed at your skill in putting one and two together and coming out with three every time. Marva is leaving Miz Beckie’s early today so I volunteered to do pork chops and dressing for supper, depending on if you’ve got some nice fat ones you can let me have.”
    â€œWell, now, I believe you’re in luck, young lady. Just this morning I acquired a couple of dressed shoats from your brother-in-law, Kurt Lukenbach. I was just about to trim them up. I expect I could find you some chops that would fit your requirements, nice and fat.”
    After much examination and discussion, Khouri wrapped six thick, marbled chops in brown butcher’s paper for them. Ruth and her mother walked out onto the boardwalk and stood for several minutes reviewing the proper way to cook pork chops and dressing while Grace ran in circles around them.
    It was some moments before they parted—Alafair and Grace to visit Alice, and Ruth to deliver the pork chops to Beckie’s icebox before walking the five blocks to the Masonic Hall to practice on the ancient piano awhile.
    Ruth waved good-bye to her mother and Grace as they headed toward Second Street,