Book Clubbed by Lorna Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

could we talk about anything
but
Betsy this evening? Just for a few hours, I’d like to pretend that it never happened.”
    Tricia nodded. She could share what she’d learned about Betsy from Christopher and Joelle another time. “Sure.”
    Angelica managed a ghost of her former smile. “Thank you.”
    â€œCan I ask what put you in such a happy mood?” Tricia said.
    Angelica turned to face the oven, opened the door a crack, and peeked at its contents. Whatever it was smelled heavenly. “I take it you haven’t heard the wonderful news!”
    â€œWhat news?” Tricia asked, noting two martini glasses on the counter, along with an ice bucket, a bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin, vermouth, and olives skewered by frilly toothpicks, the kind Tommy at Booked for Lunch used to skewer club sandwiches.
    â€œThere’s a new real estate office opening in Stoneham. Finally someone will give Bob Kelly a run for his money. And you’ll never guess who’s behind it.”
    â€œNot Nigela Ricita Associates,” Tricia said with a groan. That particular development company not only owned a share of the Brookview Inn and another in the Sheer Comfort Inn, but had bought out the local roach coach, and now owned the resident watering hole, the Dog-Eared Page,
and
the Happy Domestic.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThen why are you happy? You hate them.”
    â€œWhat a terrible thing for you to say. I do not hate them,” she said, picked up the tongs, and placed some ice in the chrome cocktail shaker. “I’m in partnership with them at the Sheer Comfort Inn. And I think it’s brilliant that they’re opening a real estate office. I intend to be their first customer, or at least I intend for the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce to be their first customer.”
    â€œWho told you about it?”
    â€œI do get cc’d on some of their e-mails, you know. As soon as I got that one late this afternoon, I made an appointment to see their new sales manager.” She measured the gin and added it to the shaker. “Her name is Karen Johnson and we’re going to meet for tea tomorrow afternoon. I’ve already got my menu planned. I’ll have Tommy help me pull it together tomorrow morning before we open the café.”
    â€œThat’s nice,” Tricia said and leaned against the kitchen island, watching the drink-making operation. “When did all this come about?”
    â€œI called Antonio and he admitted that it’s been in the works for some time.”
    â€œWill they have any clients? I thought Bob had all the sale and rental properties in the area locked in.”
    â€œYes, but most of those contracts are usually only for three months. And let’s face it, those clients can’t be happy that Bob has deliberately avoided showing their properties to prospective clients—like me. I’ll bet quite a few of them will be ready to jump ship when their contracts run out.”
    â€œAnd who’s going to tell them?”
    â€œOh, I don’t know. Maybe a little bird,” she said and giggled.
    â€œA five-foot-six-inch bird with blonde hair who sings a trifle off-key?” Tricia suggested.
    â€œCould be,” Angelica said, added the vermouth, covered the shaker, and shook it vigorously. She poured equal amounts into the two martini glasses, added the olives, and then handed one to Tricia, taking the other. “To Betsy. And to the NRA real estate office. May they find the Chamber a home in record time.”
    The sisters clinked glasses. “Amen.” They both took a sip, Angelica with relish, and Tricia with a bit of a wince. Perhaps if she drank enough of them, she’d actually come to enjoy a classic martini.
    â€œHave you heard the latest about Nikki and Russ?” Angelica said excitedly, grabbed a pot holder, and turned for the oven door. She withdrew a baking sheet filled with little