Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke Read Free Book Online Page B

tapped directly into the issue of Minnesota pride. Only a traitor would prefer Southern Peach Cobbler to something from his or her home state.
    â€œDo you think we should have some Minnesota Peach Cobbler at the reception?” Herb asked Lisa.
    â€œThat would be wonderful, but Hannah might be too busy to…”
    â€œI’ll do it,” Hannah promised, interrupting her partner’s attempt to lighten the wedding workload. She was already making two kinds of cookie cakes, but she’d gladly bake all the desserts for the buffet table if that’s what Lisa and Herb wanted.
    â€œCould you bake one for me tomorrow?” Jack Herman asked. “Marge is taking me in for my final dose of brain juice, and I want to give something nice to the nurses.”
    â€œBrain juice is what Dad calls the drug cocktail they give him in the clinical trial,” Lisa explained, even though everyone had guessed what Jack meant.
    â€œMy memory gets better after I take it, and there’s only one drawback as far as I can tell.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Andrea asked.
    â€œIt makes me remember all the dumb things I did before I took it.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous, Jack.” Marge was the first to defend him. “Your memory wasn’t the best before. We all know that. But you’ve never done anything dumb.”
    â€œOh yes, I have. And it’s something I’m probably going to regret for the rest of my life.”
    Jack looked very serious and Hannah reached out to pat his arm. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think it is. Tell us about it and maybe we can help.”
    â€œI don’t think anyone can help. You can’t un-ring a bell.”
    â€œI know that one!” Tracey spoke up. “I heard a lawyer use it on Court TV, but the judge ruled against him.”
    â€œWhat particular bell are you talking about?” Hannah asked, quite amazed that Lisa’s father was speaking figuratively. Before the clinical trial had begun, Jack had taken everything literally.
    â€œI was so excited that Lisa and Herb were getting married, I invited someone who wasn’t on Lisa’s guest list.”
    â€œThat’s okay, Dad,” Lisa was quick to assure him. “There’s always room for one more…right, Andrea?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Andrea responded with a smile. “Don’t concern yourself for a second, Jack. St. Peter’s can seat over two hundred and I reserved the whole restaurant at the Lake Eden Inn for the buffet reception.”
    â€œOh, I figured there’d be room for one more at the church and the reception. That’s not the problem. It’s just…I don’t think Lisa wants this person at her wedding.”
    Lisa gave a merry little laugh. “I don’t know who you could be talking about, Dad. I invited practically everyone in Lake Eden already.”
    â€œNot this one. I checked the list.”
    â€œReally?” Lisa frowned slightly. “Well…if I forgot someone we know, it’s probably a good thing you remembered. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
    Andrea set her laptop computer on the table, unzipped the carrying case, and powered it up. “Really, it’s no problem, Jack. Just let me pull up the file. This laptop comes in so handy. I absolutely couldn’t live without it!”
    Hannah just shook her head. Although there were things she’d hate to lose, food and oxygen were the only two she absolutely couldn’t live without.
    â€œHere we are. I pulled up the guest list,” Andrea announced, after a symphony of important-sounding multi-toned beeps. “Just give me the name and I’ll add it. And then I’ll hand-deliver an invitation this afternoon.”
    â€œOkay, if you say so.” Jack glanced at his daughter. “You’re not going to like this.”
    Lisa gave him a reassuring smile. “Sure I am. One