Murder Unmentionable Read Online Free PDF

the origin of the name.” Arabella dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “But my favorite is that the housewife who created it, when asked by her husband what kind of pie it was, answered, ‘I dunno. It’s ches pie.’”
    “Yours is definitely some of the best.” Brian took a gulp of his coffee. “I like the hint of lemon in it.”
    Arabella nodded. “It cuts the sweetness. Some people use vinegar, but I prefer the citrus taste from the lemon.”
    Liz began to collect the plates and cups and saucers.
    “Here, I’ll help.” Arabella got to her feet. “I need to move, or I’ll get as stiff as a board.”
    They heard a thud as Pierre jumped off the swing where he’d been sleeping and padded out to the kitchen behind them.
    They piled the dirty dishes on the granite-topped counter. Liz had knocked two rooms into one to expand the kitchen. There was now a large island encircled with stools, with a pot rack suspended over it, as well as a fireplace with two overstuffed armchairs pulled up in front of it.
    “Finally we can talk.” Liz leaned her arms on the island.
    “Have you told Liz about your delicious Frenchman?”
    “Guy? I’m afraid that’s over.” Emma fiddled with a loose thread on one of Liz’s dish towels.
    “But he seems quite smitten with you,” Arabella said. “Besides, he’s come all this way…”
    Emma grabbed one of the dishes and began rinsing it. “Oh, I’m sure Guy is convinced that he’s in love with me. It’s just that he can’t give up Donna and Gabriella and Sophie and I don’t know how many others.”
    “Those Frenchmen,” Arabella sighed. “Cheating seems to be in their DNA or something.” She fiddled with one of the pins anchoring her French twist. “Were you serious about him?”
    Emma nodded.
    “You poor baby.” Arabella put her arms around her niece. “You must have really been hurting if you were willing to come back to Paris, Tennessee, to help your old aunt! When your mother told me you were coming, I couldn’t believe my good luck.” She rubbed Emma’s back absentmindedly.“But I’m sorry to hear it’s because your heart has been broken.” She gave Emma a squeeze. “But he’s come after you—that must mean something.”
    Liz nodded. “Yes! He’s come all the way here from New York. He must be pretty serious.”
    Emma grabbed a cloth and wiped at a spot on the counter. “I don’t know. He says he is, but…” She scrubbed a little harder, although the spot was virtually gone. “He claims it’s because he was sickly as a kid. He grew up really skinny with ears that stuck out.” Emma made a noise that was halfway between a laugh and a sob.
    “He certainly turned out to be handsome enough. You should see him.” Arabella turned toward Liz.
    Emma nodded. “I know. But he says it haunts him still—all those years when none of the girls would even say hello to him. When gorgeous models virtually throw themselves at him now, he can’t resist.” Emma swiped at a tear that was making its way down her cheek. “Every day, everywhere I went, I saw Gabriella, Monique, Sophie and the rest of them staring down at me from billboards all over Times Square. Wearing nothing but a push-up bra and a lacy thong.” She smiled. “It’s hard to believe in yourself, when you’re surrounded by so much perfection.”
    “Airbrushing!” Arabella declared firmly. “I read all about it in a magazine. None of them really look that good.”
    Liz nodded vehemently.
    “And none of them could possibly hold a candle to Emma.”
    They hadn’t heard Brian come out to the kitchen, and Emma, Arabella and Liz all jumped.
    “You scared me!” Emma accused to hide her confusion. She could feel heat flooding her face.
    “Just saying.” Brian picked up a dishcloth and began drying the glasses. “You deserve the best. And I’m not sure that Guy is it.”
    “Well!” Arabella and Liz exchanged glances, and Arabella whispered to Emma as Brian was taking out the trash.