Two Cooks A-Killing (21 page)

Three days later, Angie stood on the veranda at Eagle Crest gazing out at the horizon. The phony snow had been picked up, revealing spring flowers and a lush, green lawn.

The
Eagle Crest
special had no chance of surviving Kyle's arrest for two murders. Immediately upon hearing the news, the producer pulled the plug on it. The crew packed up and went home. Tarleton and Mariah soon followed. With the guilt of the past eleven years lifted, Tarleton was like a new man.

Gwen had convinced the producers of her action movie to let Silver try out for the leading man role. He flew in her private plane to Hollywood.

Rhonda gave her story to the police, Bart at her side the entire time. She was finally free to accept his love, and give love in return. Flying commercial to save money, they departed for Southern California together.

Minnie Petite headed for New York to do the talk show circuit to take advantage of her fifteen
minutes of fame as Demitasse's girlfriend. She was slated for an appearance on
Larry King Live
.

As soon as the police allowed, Serefina shouted “Arrivederci,” kissed everyone on both cheeks, and fled home to Salvatore.

Sterling openly puzzled about what to do with his life. Eagle Crest would never again have the glory of its soap opera days. He considered selling it and moving permanently to Los Angeles. At least there he could keep an eye on Silver.

Paavo had stayed with Angie through the police questioning and to help security keep news-hounds and paparazzi far from Eagle Crest. He ended up working side by side with Officer Baker and others in the SHPD to make sure their case was airtight. Finally, everything had quieted down and he and Angie could move on with their lives.

Now, he stepped up behind her and put his arms around her waist. “Are you glad Christmas is over?”

She leaned back against him, enjoying his strength, his love. “Just one more night,” she replied mysteriously.

“Do you miss the film crew and cast?” he asked. “I know you hoped for a career—”

“Stop. Don't even talk about it. I never want to deal with people like that again. My father meant well…” She hesitated, not sure how much she had to explain. She turned and caught Paavo's eye. He understood. Smiling, she gazed back at the front drive, the budding vineyards, and in the distance, the rolling hills that separated the Napa and Sonoma valleys. “He meant well, but he was
completely mistaken. Someday, he'll come to understand that.”

“He worries about you,” Paavo said, holding her close. “I don't blame him for that. But if he ever parades some young, rich, movie-star handsome guy in front of you again—”

“I'll ignore him completely,” Angie said. “I have only one thing on my mind—”

“So do I.” He turned her around, ready for a kiss.

“Our engagement party.”

He gawked. “You're kidding, right?”

She looked shocked. “Of course not! It's going to be the best, biggest, most beautiful engagement party the city has ever known.”

He felt woozy. “Didn't you say that about our wedding?”

“That, too.” She glanced at her watch. “I'd better see to dinner. It's almost time.”

She dashed off to the kitchen.

All in all, he'd rather elope.

 

Since Angie had one more goose to cook, she decided to prepare an elegant dinner. For her, Paavo, and Digger—who had remained these few days to cover the story and its aftermath, which even resulted in a byline in the
Los Angeles Times
—it was a going-away dinner. For Junior, Sterling, and Camille—who hadn't figured out what to do next with her life—she hoped it might be a new beginning.

The meal was considerably simpler than the last, rolled goose breast with juniper berry rub and a caraway and apple stuffing, spinach au gratin with potatoes, braised peas and carrots
with pearl onions, and pecan-topped pumpkin cheesecake.

Sterling sat at the head of the table, Junior at the opposite end, Camille and Digger on one side, Angie and Paavo on the other. Junior had shaved his beard, cut his hair, and looked almost handsome.

Sterling poured Waterfield wine for everyone—the real thing, since Angie unfortunately had forgotten to refill the bottles—and then Paavo proposed a toast to Junior for taking the action that ended Kyle's stand.

“We can't drink to that,” Junior said. “I know Angie has tried to convince me that shooting Kyle was the right thing. I purposefully aimed so as not to kill him. As a result, he was able to go after Angie again, despite his shoulder wound.” He shook his head. “I'm sorry, Angie. I still have nightmares about it.”

“Me, too,” Angie and Paavo said in unison.

Camille faced Junior. “I think that was one of the most heroic acts I've ever seen. It takes strength and courage to act in a crisis. It's the sort of thing I hope to write a serious screenplay about someday.”

He blushed to the roots of his hairline. “I couldn't let him hurt Angie.”

Camille nodded. “That's exactly the attitude I'm talking about.”

“Well,” Sterling said to Camille, “If you'd like a quiet place to stay while you work on that screenplay, there's plenty of room here. I'd love to have you remain as our guest.”

Junior stared at his father. “You aren't selling?”

“Frankly, I like it here,” Sterling replied. “What do you say, Camille?”

She looked stunned, then gazed from Sterling to his son. “I'd like that,” she said softly. “Thank you…both.”

“To Junior,” Paavo said again, raising his glass.

They all took a sip of wine this time.

Junior frowned at the wine. “If we're staying at Eagle Crest,” he said to Sterling, his chin raised, “I'd like to take some classes on winemaking. What do you think?”

Now it was Sterling's turn to be astonished. “I think…that deserves an even bigger toast!” he cried.

“But not now,” Angie shuddered and pushed her glass to the side. She reached for her water as the others chuckled.

After dinner, they gathered in the family room. All the Christmas decorations were gone except for the Little Drummer Boy, which was on a shelf beside pictures of the Waterfield family.

Angie was glad Sterling had chosen to keep him in sight. Someday the bad memories would pass, and only the happy ones would remain.

While Junior got the fire going in the big rock fireplace—a real one this time—Angie put on a CD of Christmas carols. “I was here to cook a Christmas feast, wasn't I?” she said by way of explanation. She served hot eggnog laced with brandy.

Sterling lifted it in a toast. “Thank you, Angie, for staying here these extra days and helping to make this house a happy one again.”

“Joy to the cook!” Digger shouted. “And to her friend, Connie, who I wish was still here.”

They laughed, cheered, and toasted Angie.

As they sipped the egg nog, jingle bells were heard in the foyer, followed by a “Ho, ho, ho.”

“It sounds like Santa Claus!” Angie's eyes were bright.

“Is this a joke?” Digger asked. “
Santa Claus?
”

Paavo gave Angie a sidelong glance. She shrugged and tried to look innocent. Junior helped Camille up from the sofa.

“Let's go see,” Sterling cried.

Santa stood in the living room, puffing on a pipe, smoke circling his head…surprisingly like a wreath, Angie thought. “Ah, here are all the good little, or should I say,
big
boys and girls. Santa doesn't usually appear this time of year,” he said, “but I had a special request, and a special Christmas present for…”

He began rummaging around in the big sack he'd been holding on his back. He pulled out a very tiny package. “Ah, this is it. A present for”—he looked them over one by one—“for Paavo.”

He waited as Angie and the others pointed to Paavo.

“Angie…” Paavo began, the little present in his hand, when Santa bellowed another “Ho, ho, ho,” put his finger to the side of his nose and…walked out the front door.

Okay,
Angie thought,
so he can't do everything perfectly.

“Open it,” she said to Paavo.

Inside the box was a car key. “You didn't,” he said.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the front door, the others following.

In the driveway stood a shiny new black Corvette. Paavo said, “I can't—”

“It's your Christmas present a few months early,” Angie explained.

“It's not Christmas, Angie.”

“Sure it is.” She extended her arms to take in him, the lovely house, the rich land, and the warm friends, old and new, surrounding them. “Christmas is more than a date on a calendar. It's a time of joy and faith, of love and giving. It's what we have with each other every day of our lives.”

He opened his mouth to protest, and she held up her hand, stopping him. “Now, I'm giving. I will not worry myself sick over you driving around in that rattletrap of a car.”

“The gift is too much,” Paavo said.

“Don't you know it's back luck to say ‘No' to Santa Claus?” she asked.

“It is bad luck, Paavo,” Digger agreed. “It makes her happy to give it to you. Don't be a grinch, man. You almost lost her. Don't let something like this get between you. It's not worth it. Ask me, I know.”

Paavo's gaze jumped from Digger to the car to Angie. It settled there and softened. He drew her close and she tilted her face to his. “Thank you,” he said, “for the car, for being you, and for the spirit of Christmas all year long.”

Tears of joy filled her eyes. Then he kissed her.

In the family room, the Little Drummer Boy smiled.

ANGIE'S CHOCOLATE-DIPPED COCONUT SNOWBALLS

Preheat oven to 350°. Put softened butter, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and beat to combine. Add egg and vanilla; beat to combine. Gradually add flour mixture and beat (when mixture becomes too thick for electric mixer, stir in remaining flour with spoon). Add
finely grated
sweet chocolate, ½ cup shredded coconut and pecans.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches
apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove and cool.

In saucepan, melt bittersweet chocolate and shortening over low heat. Stir until smooth. Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate. Allow excess to drip off. Transfer to a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Chill about 1 hour until firm. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

SEREFINA'S ZABAGLIONE

Zabaglione is a traditional Italian dessert usually served warm, spooned into glasses or over sliced fruit or with plain cake. The following recipe presents it served over whipped cream with a garnish of chocolate.

First prepare whipped cream: beat cream until it forms stiff peaks. Refrigerate.

In top of double boiler (not over heat), stir egg yolks and sugar until soft and foamy, about 3–5 minutes.

Slowly add Marsala, stirring constantly.

Place the double boiler over gently simmering (not boiling) water. Whisk continuously as custard mixture cooks. It will foam then swell into a soft mass. When it thickens to retain a slight peak when whisk is withdrawn (about 5–8 minutes), remove from heat.

Spoon a little cold whipped cream onto bottom of
stemmed glasses. Top with hot zabaglione. Garnish with semisweet chocolate curls. Makes 6–8 servings.

PEAR, ONION, AND CHEESE STRUDEL

A delicious wintertime appetizer.

Preheat oven to 375°. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until brown. Add pear and sauté about 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl. Cool slightly, then add cheese, mustard, and salt.

Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface. Quickly brush with melted butter, and top with second phyllo sheet. (Cover remaining 2 phyllo sheets with plastic wrap and damp kitchen towel.) Arrange half of pear mixture in log along one short side of phyllo, leaving 1-inch border at each end. Fold in sides and roll up tightly into log. Brush all over with butter. Transfer to large baking sheet. Repeat with remaining phyllo, butter, and pear mixture.

Bake about 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and cut on diagonal into 12 pieces per log.