A Roux of Revenge by Connie Archer Read Free Book Online Page B

just look so fantastic.”
    “I am perfectly fine.” Elizabeth laughed. “Now stop worrying about me.”
    “What can I get you?”
    “I’d love to try that new beet and barley soup with maybe a bakery roll?”
    “It’s delicious. How about a rosemary roll from Bettie’s Bakery? The flavor would go nicely with that soup.”
    “Can I get it to go?” Elizabeth asked.
    “Of course.” Lucky placed the order slip on the hatch. She turnedback to Elizabeth and leaned over the counter. “So tell me, how is everything?”
    “It’s fine . . . I have a meeting about the . . .” Before Elizabeth could complete her sentence, Ernie White slid onto the stool next to her.
    “Elizabeth! How are you?” Ernie managed to make his greeting sound as if he were holding court and Elizabeth was a supplicant for his favors.
    “I’m fine, Ernie. Andyou?” Elizabeth’s tone was pleasant but, to Lucky’s ears, distant. She knew Elizabeth’s guard was up. Ernie had the knack of affecting a lot of people that way. And Lucky was sure Ernie’s intent related only to his own agenda, not just to passing the time of day.
    “Lucky, I’m glad I caught you.” Something oily and overly friendly in Ernie’s tone raised her hackles. “I’ve been talking to yourgrandfather about the Spoonful providing food at the festival—you know, a nice little booth. Chance to expose more people to the restaurant. I’d even be willing to negotiate my percentage.”
    “Jack’s been over this before with you, Ernie. It’s not worth our while.”
    “I’d go sixty-forty with you. Forty for you, sixty for me.”
    Lucky was nonplussed. “What part don’t you get, Ernie?”
    Elizabeth watched the exchange with amusement.
    Lucky glanced over at Jack, who had started to rise from his stool behind the cash register. She shot him a look to let him know she had the situation under control. “Why would we split anything with you? Assuming we even had the staff to run a concession, which we don’t. We’re doing just fine as it is.”
    “Well . . .” Ernie smiled. “It wasn’tthat long ago you were almost belly up. I wouldn’t be so quick to get on my high horse if I were you.”
    Elizabeth was silent, but her eyebrows raised a notch. She was well aware Lucky had a temper, and if Ernie hadn’t already experienced it, he was pushing real hard to expose it.
    Lucky’s face flushed deeply. She knew it was happening and couldn’t do much about it. The pitfalls of havingsuch fair skin. “I’ll tell you what, Ernie. I’ll keep your very generous offer in mind. Now, is there anything else you’d like? If not, Jack’s right over there to collect your money.”
    Ernie’s face shifted from oily to mean. “Have it your way. But don’t come begging for a shot at a booth next year.” He rose quickly and headed to the cash register, slapping some bills in front of Jack. He walkedout the door without another word, the two men in work clothes trailing behind him.
    Lucky shuddered. “He just always manages to bring out my worst side. I’m with Jack on that one,” she said to Elizabeth.
    “I don’t blame you,” Elizabeth responded. “Seems there’s always a dagger under that insinuating tone. He’s managed to make some enemies since he’s been in Lincoln Falls, or so I’ve heard.”

    “I can believe that.” Lucky hesitated. “What did you say? Since he’s been in Lincoln Falls? I thought he was from there originally.”
    “I don’t think so. He comes from . . . actually, I don’t really know where he’s from. Someone told me, but I don’t recall offhand. He’s been in Lincoln Falls for maybe five or six years. He’s been very successful, but I don’t think he’s made a lot of friends.The sooner he goes back to wherever he came from, the better, I say.”
    Marjorie slid onto the empty stool next to Elizabeth. She stashed the shopping bag she was carrying under the counter at her feet. “Elizabeth. Haven’t seen you for