she peered into the five-gallon pot of water sheâd placed on the stove earlier, she saw that it was now boiling, so she added the pasta. Then she checked the meat, which was in another pan. The scent of tomatoes, basil, and garlic were coming together as the sauce simmered nicely, so she turned down the burner. But as she did so, she felt another hot flash coming on.
At sixty-two, sheâd already gone through menopause, so having those annoying flushes start up again seemed oddâand unfair.
There could, of course, be something other than hormones causing them, but she hadnât gotten around to making an appointment to see the doctor yet. Her calendar was pretty full this month, so she wasnât sure when sheâd find the timeâcertainly not in the next six days.
As the discomfort intensified, she fanned herself with a fluttery hand, which wasnât very effective, and sighed.
Earlier this morning, Pastor Craig had stopped by and turned on the heater, saying the weatherman was predicting both rain and hail by midafternoon.
Trouble was, the thermostat only read 71, yet it felt like an oven in here. If sheâd been at home, she would have changed out of her winter clothes and into something summery. But since that wasnât an option, she considered going out on the back porch until she cooled off.
But even if she could blame those pesky hot flashes on age and hormones, she didnât know what was causing the occasional flutters and rumbles in her chest.
Nerves, she supposed, and good, old-fashioned stress.
Her hands had been a little shaky lately, especially this morning. But sheâd also had three cups of coffee at breakfast, which probably explained why. She really ought to switch to drinking only decaf, but sheâd sure been dragging lately, and without the caffeine, sheâd probably be curled up in the corner right now, taking a nap.
âHowâs it going?â her husband of almost forty years asked as he slipped up behind her and peered over her shoulder and into the pan. âNeed someone to taste the meat sauce for you?â
Rosa couldnât help but smile. Carlos loved her cooking, which was why he was about fifty pounds overweight. And since she did her best to prepare the meals and treats he enjoyed the most, sheâd nearly gained the same amount.
Trouble was, sheâd put on half of it over the past few months. But she blamed that on her bad knees, which made moving around difficult and exercise nearly impossible.
Carlos opened a drawer and pulled out a spoon, but before he could scoop up any sauce to taste, Pastor Craig entered the kitchen with a woman in her mid to late forties.
âGood news,â the minister said. âIâve got another volunteer to help you out while the Randolphs are in Hawaii.â
Rosa and Carlos both turned to greet the woman, whom Craig referred to as Mary-Margaret Di Angelo.
After introductions were made all the way around, the blonde asked them to call her Maggie.
At that, Rosa cocked her head to the side, causing a drop of perspiration to dribble down her temple and onto her cheek. She swiped it away with the back of her hand and asked, âAre you related to Helen Pritchard?â
âYes, Iâm her cousin.â
âI thought your name sounded familiar.â Rosa wiped her damp hand on her apron before reaching out to greet Maggie with a handshake and a grin. âHelenâs a friend of mine. She mentioned that youâd be house-sitting while she was gone. In fact, I was supposed to stop by with Lynette and Susan yesterday, but I wasnât able to join you.â
âOh, yes. Youâre that Rosaâand one of the Lils.â Maggieâs grip was warm and solid. âIâm glad we finally have a chance to meet.â
Rosa was, too. âAre you planning to help us in the soup kitchen today?â
âI can, â Maggie said. âDo you need me?â
Rosa was about
Russell Brand
Zoe Dawson
Reid Mitenbuler
David Mark Brown
Susan Cooper
Louise Behiel
Jenna Helland
Simon Jenner
Donita K. Paul
Bernie McGill