Free Murder at the Big T Lodge: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery by Dianne Harman Page B

18
                                                        
    Liz and Roger walked downstairs and
into the great room where drinks and appetizers were being served. She looked
around and realized one of the big differences between California and Texas was
in what was being drunk by guests during the cocktail hour. She always served
various different kinds of wines to her guests, but here it seemed that most of
the guests were drinking bourbon. Guess it’s a Texan thing, she thought.
    She noticed Chef Jackson
had prepared a large platter of the elk he’d served her at lunch as well as a
platter of other wild game appetizers. She was looking forward to trying the
appetizer labelled “Fried Quail in a Pomegranate Raspberry Sauce.” Liz was glad
to see that the game the hunters shot was being used.
    “Good evening, Mrs.
Langley, how was your day?” the young man behind the bar asked her as she
debated what kind of wine to have. She looked up and recognized the waiter who
had served them breakfast, Jesse.
    “It was fine, Jesse,
thanks for asking.”
    “What may I get you to
drink?”
    “Chef Jackson and I had a
glass of carmenere at lunch. Do you have any of that?”
    “Sure do. It’s a big hit
with the guests and always goes well with the different meats Chef Jackson
cooks. Here you are,” he said as he handed her a glass. She took it from him
and mentally compared it to the color of the juice that had been in the bottle
in Milt’s room. The carmenere was a darker red and no odor was coming from it.
    “Mr. Langley, what can I
get for you?”
    “I’d like a bourbon on the
rocks. Thanks.” Roger saw the shocked look on Liz’s face and said, “What the
heck? When in Texas I might as well drink like a Texan.”
    She shook her head and
whispered, “You’re the one who might just have to pay for it tomorrow.”
    “Liz, this might come as a
shock to you, but I’ve drunk bourbon a time or two, and I assure you I can
handle it. Thanks for your concern though,” he said grinning at her.
    “Just trying to be your
friend,” she said. “By the way, you might want to try some of the elk meat. I
had some for lunch, and it was wonderful.”
    A half hour later Jack
walked over to the dining room entrance, opened the doors, and announced,
“Dinner is served. You’ll find a place card with each of your names on it. It’s
been my experience that if we don’t do that, the guests tend to eat with the
same people every night, although we do allow married couples to sit together.”
He nodded towards Liz and Roger as well as another couple who Liz assumed were
Amanda and Emilio DeLuise.
    Liz and Roger found their
places, sat down at the table, and introduced themselves to the six men who
were also being seated at their table. A menu of what was going to be served
for dinner that evening was at each place. Liz picked it up and knew she was in
for another wonderful meal.
    Dinner was to begin with a
jumbo lump crab cocktail with citrus fruit and a red pepper salsa followed by a
hanger steak, French fries, a partially scooped avocado half filled with
chilled broccoli cheddar cheese soup, fresh warm rolls, and the pecan pie. Bring
it on, Liz thought , after the day I’ve had, this sounds divine. Amoment later Jesse walked over to their table and served them each a
sundae-sized dish full of crabmeat mixed with chopped oranges and grapefruit
and garnished with fresh salsa. There was very little conversation while each
of the guests savored the crab cocktail.
    Liz finished hers and
turned to the man seated next to her. “We met briefly, but let me introduce
myself again. My name is Liz Langley, and I’m from Northern California. This is
my first time here. I’m really impressed with the lodge, and the food here is
wonderful. Is this your first time?”
    “No, I’ve been coming here
for several years. My name is Mac Ward. I’m from North Carolina, tobacco
country,” he said