Free Ginny Gold - Early Bird Café 05 - Smashed Potatoes and Gravy by Ginny Gold Page A

sped off to spring his wife from jail.
    “I hope we’re right about this one,” Kori told Ibis, getting back into the car and heading toward the lake. There was an easy trail to the west of the main public beach that would bring her along the shore for about a mile, and even past Jenna and Kyle’ s property.
    It was still early enough in the afternoon that they had plenty of light left. As they approached the beach, Ibis stood in the back seat and turned in anxious circles, even whining to get out of the car. When Kori parked, she thought her dog might actually try to jump through the closed window.
    “Sorry, buddy. Gotta wear a leash today,” Kori said, cracking the door open and clipping the leash to Ibis’ collar. Over the summer, she and Nora had had a not-so-friendly encounter when their dogs were unleashed and freely roaming. It had led to their being questioned in a police investigation when the man showed up dead later that day. Kori didn’t need a repeat of that.
    The beach was mostly deserted, only a few brave souls soaking up the late fall sun. One family, who Kori recognized as Jenna’s frien d from out of town, had matching jackets that they’d probably had to buy in town. It was easy to forget how cold it could get next to a large body of water, chilling them to their bones.
    Ibis’ nose immediately went to the ground, finding a trail and following it. Kori decided that since this was really her first chance to get out today, she’d let Ibis lead the way. Within reason, of course. She didn’t like going off the trail too often and disturbing the other animals that called the woods home. If she was alone she’d be more inclined, but then she wouldn’t be following random scents that only a dog could smell.
    Ibis led Kori past the beach and along the trail to the west. It hugged the water and Ibis followed several dead end scents to the water’s edge, getting her toes wet and retreating. Kori knew the water would be frigid by now and didn’t expect Ibis to want to go in.
    As Kori was taken further from the beach, her mind drifted to tomorrow’s afternoon meal s. She was looking forward to having Zach in the kitchen with her again. She loved it when he cooked for her at his house, but they fell into an easy rhythm in the café.
    The menu she’d created was very traditional with a few variations that she hoped everyone enjoyed. She’d been able to get almost everything locally. Pumpkins, apples, and other vegetables had been bought from Nora. She’d only had to buy oranges—used as a sweetener in the cranberry sauce and a glaze on the carrots—from out of state.
    Kori was so caught up in her own daydreams of Thanksgiving that she hadn’t noticed Ibis had stopped and wanted to play fetch. When Kori’s arm was suddenly pulled backwards by the weight of Ibis’ body no longer walking along the path with her, she stopped and turned around.
    “That’s quite the stick you picked up, Ibis.” Kori laughed at the sight of her dog with a massive branch in her mouth. One end was even dragging on the ground, the other sticking high into the air above Ibis’ head. “I hope you don’t expect me to throw that,” Kori said, feigning a lunge at Ibis.
    Ibis backed up and growled. Kori knew she was only playing, so she lunged again, this time getting a solid hold on the end of the branch that was above Ibis’ head.
    Ibis made a quick jerk backwards and Kori’s hand was released, bark coming off on her palm. She quickly checked her hand for any splinters and saw none. But she did notice some blood so took a closer look to see if she’d been cut.
    She gingerly wiped her hand on her jeans and the blood was gone. She couldn’t find a cut, so she grabbed the branch again. Ibis tried to twist her head from side to side to win the game of tug-of-war, but Kori had gotten a better grasp on it this time.
    As Ibis continued to pull, Kori finally had to let go. Ibis’ body was no match for only one arm. More