The Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off by Carolyn Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

I’m not going to reconcile with Lenny.”
    â€œWell, you might go ahead and put Carson on retainer. You sure don’t want Lenny to get to him first,” Gigi said. “Come on Tansy and Sugar. We’ll get her room ready before the movers get here with the furniture. Thank God they bought a house to put the business in. At least she’s got a decent bedroom to move into and, Sugar, not another word from you the rest of this day.”

Chapter 3
    Carlene was so grateful when five o’clock arrived that she could have danced another jig on the top of that damned Corvette or gone back to the house and blown holes in every one of those damn chili cook-off trophies. So Bridget had been promised a picture above the mantel. Maybe if she thought of a picture of her and Lenny all hugged up together, the tears would dry up and she’d move on to the next step, which had to be fightin’ damn rage.
    She was tired of even hearing Lenny’s name, thinking about him, and worrying about what happened next. She opened the door into a room that looked like it had been sprayed down in bubblegum pink. Her mother and Aunt Sugar had driven out to the Carmichael place and brought in towels and bathroom rugs after the bedroom had been set up, and they were all pink, too.
    She threw herself back on the bed and glared at the pink roses trailing on the wallpaper. If she went to sleep, would they attack her and turn her into the first plus-sized Barbie doll?
    Her phone started playing “Hell on Heels,” and she reached for it without blinking.
    â€œDid you forget your keys again?” she asked her cousin.
    Patrice laughed. “No, I got my keys and I didn’t forget anything at the shop. I just want to make sure you aren’t suffocating in all that pink. You can still come live with me. I’ve got an extra bedroom with a red satin bedspread, white walls, and a zebra-striped throw rug. Plus there’s a full bottle of Jack Daniels in the cabinet.”
    â€œI’m a Jim Beam girl, and thanks but no thanks. The pink didn’t kill me when I was a kid. I don’t expect it will now. However, if you find me curled up in a ball tomorrow morning just tell the undertaker that the rose vines strangled me plumb to death.”
    â€œWell, if it starts getting to you in the night, just come on over. My guest room at least looks like an adult lives in it. Has Lenny called any more?”
    â€œNo and I hope he doesn’t. I need to get past the crying jags before I talk to him.”
    â€œWell, hurry up and get mad as hell. That’s the way I want to see you from now on,” Patrice said.
    She’d barely hung up when the phone started playing “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
    â€œYes, Alma Grace,” Carlene answered.
    â€œI ran by the grocery store and put a half gallon of chocolate marshmallow ice cream in the freezer just in case you want it later and there’s a special prize on the kitchen table for you. I wish you’d come on out here to the ranch. There’s plenty of room in my house for you or you could stay at the big house. Mama would love to have you.”
    Carlene was tempted. Aunt Sugar’s cook would fuss over her and make sure that she had all her favorite foods. But she’d have to endure the morning devotionals and all the praying that would mention Lenny’s name in every single sentence. It wasn’t worth it, no sir!
    â€œThanks but I need time alone to think,” Carlene said.
    â€œThe doors are always open,” Alma Grace said.
    â€œI know. Good night,” Carlene said.
    The third ring was her mother. “I’d offer you a room here but you need to be alone to sort things out. I’ve got a Confederacy meeting tomorrow night but Wednesday you will come home for dinner with me and your dad. I hope he’s cooled down enough by then to talk sensibly. Right now he’s threatening to do unspeakable things to