Scene of the Brine Read Online Free Page A

of Sugar Heywood and hoped the caterer didn’t need to deal with Unger. Then there was Porter’s status-conscious mother . . . Piper shook herself. She was getting much too Cloverdalian, thinking about affairs that were none of her business. Best she stick to her pickles and jellies, at which thought she turned and marched back to the—to her mind—delicious-smelling limes.

3

    T he following day, Sugar dropped into Piper’s Picklings. She seemed disappointed at first not to see Ralph, who, after removing the plywood he’d used to close Piper’s doorway for the night, had returned to his workshop to put finishing touches on Piper’s new door. But Sugar soon bubbled excitedly to Piper about her latest catering coup—Lydia Porter’s tea.
    â€œIt will be the event of the year and will be a huge boost to my business,” she said. “Lydia intends to invite a huge crowd. She says it’s to get to know the residents of Cloverdale,” Sugar said, then winked. “But I think it’s mostly to show off the house and what they’ve done with it.”
    â€œIf she’s out to impress, she was smart to get you to handle the food,” Piper said.
    â€œThank you, Piper. I’m sure Jeremy played a big part in that—the dear man. Tonight, you know, is his Realtors’ dinner. I thought I had all my ducks in a row, but I suddenly panicked that I might not have enough of the brandied cherry preserves. I hope you didn’t sell the last of those jars.”
    â€œDidn’t sell a one. How many do you want?”
    â€œFive more should do it. We can just pack them in this.” She held up a brightly colored canvas tote and followed Piper to the workroom. As Piper pulled out the preserves from her shelf, wrapped the jars in protective paper, and loaded them into the bag, Sugar talked about the rest of her menu, which totally impressed Piper: filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, potato puffs, and stuffed artichokes, followed by Sugar’s almond cakes and Piper’s brandied cherries.
    â€œWho gets to enjoy this fantastic spread?”
    â€œOh, it’s all Realtors. This is a welcoming dinner, of sorts. Jeremy has been buying up most of the smaller agencies in the area. Stan Yeager has been one of the rare holdouts.”
    â€œStan Yeager?” Piper knew Yeager, who had helped her find her own shop’s premises, and had enjoyed working with him.
    Sugar nodded. “I guess not everyone realizes the advantages of being under one large and stable business umbrella.”
    Or is ready to give up their autonomy for promised security
, Piper thought but did not say. Sugar, she figured, was probably echoing Jeremy’s words, which was understandable. Piper loved being an independent business owner and couldn’t imagine selling out to some kind of bigger pickling operation. Not that the offer had ever come up.
    â€œBy the way,” she said, leading Sugar back to the shop area, “Just to give credit where it’s due, Mrs. Tilley recommended you to Lydia Porter for the tea.” Piper didn’t mention her own prompting, convinced she’d only hurried things up a bit. “Although I’m sure Jeremy added his own encouragements.”
    â€œThat’s good to know, Piper, thanks. I have little thank-you goodie baskets. I’ll take one over to Mrs. Tilley.” She grinned. “Jeremy will have to make do with filet mignon.”
    â€œI don’t think he’ll complain.”
    â€œSpeaking of which, I’d better get back to my work.” Sugar glanced at the partly finished shop doorway. “Say hi to Ralph for me when he comes back, will you?”
    Piper promised, then waved good-bye as she reached for her ringing phone. It was Will Burchett, the Christmas tree farmer she’d been dating.
    â€œI’m hoping you’re free tonight,” Will said, “and in the mood for a steak