I’m confused as heck, but I hear it.
“I’m home, sweetie! I’m so stuffed from all the food at Minnie and Craig’s party, but I think we can still do that thing I said.”
“I sure hope so. I had to bug Georgie and Claire at home for help with this. It’s not in any of the cookbooks we have. I had to make it up as I went, but... They taste delicious. I added chives.”
Melinda looks puzzled as I pull out the white plate heaped high with my still-warm-from-the-oven offering.
“These look wonderful, babe! Mmm. They smell good, too. Heavenly.”
She looks at me. Confused.
I stare back. Confused.
“Mel—”
“Genesis, did—”
“You go first,” I offer, putting the plate down as she steps out of her pink sneakers and puts down the gigantic water bottle and tote bag that seem to be part of every nurse’s uniform.
“These look wonderful. What are they? Why the baking binge?”
My jaw drops. “Why?? Because you asked me to! You said tonight you wanted to make bacon-cheddar biscuits!”
The confusion deepens instead of evaporating. “I did?”
“Yes! You kissed me goodbye, and you said, ‘Tonight, make bacon-cheddar biscuits.’ So I did! Like a good husband, who has no effing clue how to make bacon-cheddar biscuits. In the old days, I would have just killed you a boar or something,” I mumble, folding my arms in a huff.
Melinda stares. Swallows. Then the laughter bubbles out of her. “I love you. And I love when we go to the Fenclan’s and eat venison and wild boar and have the big bonfire... but I did not ask for bacon-cheddar biscuits. I said, ‘Tonight, take care of business.’” Melinda waggles one strawberry-blonde eyebrowunder her dark red curls, a bashfully seductive smile spreading across her face.
“Ohhh. Oh!” I leave the table and sweep Melinda into my arms. “Business.”
“Mmhm.” Her voice is all high and breathy. It makes my talons itch and my tail twitch. “But those would be good... for after.”
Georgie’s Apple-Cranberry Muffins
Ingredients:
? 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
? 1 teaspoon baking powder
? 1/4 teaspoon salt
? 2 teaspoons cinnamon
? 1/2 cup butter, melted
? 2/3 cup sugar
?2 eggs
? 1 teaspoon vanilla
? 3/4 cups milk
? 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced finely ( I use a firm but sweet brand of apple, such as Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady. Pink Lady is my favorite. Granny Smith is too tart for this recipe, really, but in a pinch, any apple will do.)
? 1/2 cup dried cranberries
