Kitten Kaboodle (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 20) (12 page)

Zak was home. At least I hoped the delightful feeling of lips on my neck indicated that my very much missed husband was finally home. The room was dark, and although I couldn’t see the man who was causing all sorts of delicious sensations to make their way through my body, I could feel the hunger in his touch. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him toward me as his lips found mine. There were hundreds of things I should catch him up on, but when his hard body met mine I knew there was nothing so important that it couldn’t wait a while longer.

It turned out that
while longer
never arrived. By the time we were both spent we drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms. Neither of us woke until the phone on the bedside table rang, disrupting our slumber.

“Hello,” Zak answered tiredly.

He frowned as he listened. Then he turned and looked at me with a question clearly evident on his face. “Okay, thank you for the update.” He hung up the phone. “Nona’s in the hospital?”

“Yeah. I was going to tell you about it as soon as you got home, but one thing led to another and … Is she okay?”

“It sounds like it. That was the nurse. She said Nona was awake and driving everyone crazy, so I guess that means she’s fine.”

“Good.” I let out a deep breath. “I was really worried. Can we see her?”

“Visiting hours start at one. I sort of hate to even ask because you look oh-so-good sitting there in nothing but a sheet, but don’t you think you should tell me what happened?”

I filled Zak in on the murder investigation and the crazy turn of events I was still having a hard time wrapping my head around. I explained how Nona had been shot in the struggle but that the doctor had assured me nothing vital had been damaged. We agreed that we would go to see her as soon as visiting hours began. I was going to fill him in on the situation with Ellie, and Jeremy’s engagement, but as his eyes turned from worried to sultry, talking was the last thing I wanted to do.

I crawled over across the bed and snuggled into Zak’s arms so that my head was resting on his chest. I could feel his breath on my cheek as he wrapped his arms around me, releasing all the tension from my body.

“I’ve missed you.” Zak kissed the top of my head.

“I’ve missed you too,” I answered as I let my body melt into his.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with all this by yourself. First Nona and then my mother. It sounds like you’ve had a very difficult week and I hate that I wasn’t here for you when you needed me the most.”

“That’s okay. It has been a really weird week, and your mother has been a challenge, but I know you would have been here if you could have.”

“Is there anything else you need to tell me before we change the subject to what’s really on my mind?”

I smiled as Zak made it very clear what was on his mind. “I’ve been thinking about a baby,” I blurted out.

Zak pulled away slightly and turned so that he was looking directly at me. “A human baby?”

“Of course a human baby. What did you think I was talking about?”

“Knowing you? A puppy, a kitten, or possibly even a goat.”

“Well, there is this kitten,” I teased.

Zak adjusted his positon so that we were sitting up facing each other. “You’ve been thinking about
us
having a baby?”

I fought the momentary panic that quickly faded when I looked into Zak’s eyes. “I have.”

He reached out and took both my hands in his. “Are you talking about us having a baby
now
?”

I laughed. “Well, not right this second. I mean, these things take time. At least nine months. But if you’re asking if I’m ready to start trying, maybe. I know I was mad at your mother for hiring a contractor to build a nursery without even talking to us about it, but I have to admit the idea of a nursery has caused me to think about things.”

Zak frowned. My heart sank as he looked at me with an expression of doubt rather than excitement as I’d expected. “Are you ready for a baby?”

Zak tucked a lock of hair behind my ear in a slow, sensuous manner that caused a tingling sensation down my spine. “You know I am. I can’t think of anything I want more than to see your belly swollen with my child, but I know you wanted to wait. If you’re ready I am, but I want to be sure it’s what you really want and this discussion isn’t taking place because my mother pressured you into it.”

“Have I ever let your mother pressure me into anything?”

“No, I guess not.” Zak laughed. “So you really are ready to start trying?”

I put my hand on Zak’s cheek and gazed into his eyes. “I am.” I leaned forward and touched my lips to his before partially pulling away. “In fact, if you aren’t busy, maybe we should start right now.”

Zak smiled and pulled me into his arms. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to plant the seed that would grow into the greatest expression of our love I could imagine, but deep in my heart I knew I was ready for this next phase of the Zak and Zoe story.

Next from Kathi Daley Books

Murder at Sunrise – A Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery

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3–4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into cubes

1–2 lbs. andouille sausage

1 lb. smoked ham cubed (sometimes I don’t use the ham)

1 large onion, chopped

1 large bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 diced tomato (optional)

5 cups chicken broth (can be adjusted based on size of slow cooker and ingredients used)

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. Cajun seasoning (or more if you like it spicy)

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1–2 lbs. cooked shrimp without tails

Salt and pepper to taste

In a slow cooker layer in all ingredients except the shrimp. Cover and cook 3–4 hours on high. Stir in the shrimp the last 30 minutes of cook time. Serve over rice.

Beat 6 eggs in large bowl.

Add to eggs and mix together:

2–3 cups sausage, browned (I use chorizo)

½ onion, diced (optional)

2 cups pepper jack cheese, grated

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

6 oz. green chilis, diced

½ cup Bisquick

3 cups milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Pour into greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes at 400 degrees (until browned and set).

4 large chicken breasts

¾ cup flour, placed into large plastic bag

In shallow dish:

1 stick (8 tbs.) butter, melted

1 tsp. each salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder

Mix together:

1½ cups heavy cream

1 cup sour cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup sliced almonds

Coat chicken with flour and then add chicken to butter mixture; turn to coat.

Transfer to greased baking dish. Pour Parmesan cream mixture over and around chicken.

Cover chicken with sliced almonds.

Bake at 350 degrees uncovered until chicken is done.

Combine in plastic bag:

½ cup flour

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Coat 4 pork chops with flour mixture. Fry in 4 tsp. butter.

Transfer to greased 9 x 13 baking pan.

In another pan:

Melt 4 tsp. butter. Sauté 2 cups sliced mushrooms.

Gradually add remainder of flour mixture.

Gradually add 2 cups milk. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add 2 tbs. lemon juice.

Pour over pork chops. Cover and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Serve with mashed potatoes.

2 sticks margarine, softened

1½ cups dark brown sugar, packed

⅓ cup molasses

3 eggs

3 cups quick cooking oats

2 cups flour

1 tbs. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 pkg. (6 oz.) dried apricots, chopped

1 cup chopped pecans

Cream together margarine and brown sugar. Beat in molasses. Add the eggs.

Add the oats, flour, spices, and baking soda. Blend well.

Add apricots and pecans.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Shape into 1-inch balls and place on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes (until browned).

A sweeter take on corn muffins. I usually serve these with chili, but great for a snack too! 

2 eggs

½ cup water

⅓ cup milk

2 tbs. oil

1 9-oz. pkg. yellow cake mix

1 8.5-oz. pkg. corn bread muffin mix

Combine eggs, water, milk, and oil. Add mixes and blend well. Fill greased and floured muffin cups half full (
do not fill more than half full
). Bake at 350 for 18–22 minutes or until muffins test done.  Cool for 5 minutes and remove from pan.

Makes 24 muffins

Need:

Crock-Pot

1 loaf of Italian Bread

Skewers

1 lb. crab meat*

1 cup milk

4 oz. Velvetta cheese

3 tsp. flour

¼ lb. butter

Over low heat place all ingredients together in the Crock-Pot until the cheese is melted. Stir occasionally. Cut a loaf of Italian bread into cubes for dipping. Keep Crock-Pot on low while serving.

I usually double the recipe for parties.

*Shrimp can be substituted for the crab meat.