A Taste of Fame by Linda Evans Shepherd Page B

phone on the first ring, then held the mic so we could hear her side of the conversation. “Kat? Is that you? How did the vote go?”
    Seconds later Lisa Leann squealed, “We got the top vote? You’re kidding!”
    Our friends applauded while I tried not to groan out loud. Lisa Leann continued. “Right. Yes, ma’am, Team Potluck is headed to New York City! I’m looking forward to getting your fax with the details… . Ah, what do you mean, there are a few surprises?”

Evangeline
    9
Happy Trail Mix
    Lisa Leann made the executive decision that she and one other potlucker should go to New York City by the week’s end. “We need to see the lay of the land,” she said to the group as we gathered in the boutique on Wednesday afternoon. “Has anyone spent significant time in the Big Apple?” She crooked the index and middle fingers of both hands for emphasis around “Big Apple.” She stood near the picture window overlooking Main Street and a glorious Summit View summer afternoon. Looking past her, I caught glimpses of passersby on the sidewalk. Even the summer tourists were enthralled by what was happening here; they stopped to gawk at the boutique, their expressions wide-eyed, their fingers pointing. Fortunately for us, Lisa Leann was unaware of the adulation from beyond the panes of glass behind her.
    We all shook our heads. Lizzie raised her hand from her place next to Goldie on the settee. “Samuel and I honeymooned there.” Her fingers dropped to lightly touch a delicate gold necklace. “But that was a lot of years ago,” she concluded.
    Goldie leaned over to look at the necklace. “That’s lovely,” she said. “Did you get it there?” When Lizzie nodded, Goldie straightened and looked at Lisa Leann. “I can’t go early,” she said. “I’ve already asked for time off, and Chris has agreed to bring Jenna in for a week while he looks for help from a temp service. But there’s no way I’m asking for more time.”
    “Count me out,” Donna said. She and I sat side by side in matching velvet Queen Anne chairs with a rosewood marbletop table between us. “Dad is nearly frantic, what with having to rearrange the work schedule and handing overtime to some of the other deputies. The county is not too keen on paying overtime, let me tell you.”
    I inched a finger up in the air. “I can vouch for that,” I said.
    Lisa Leann attempted to open her mouth, but Vonnie spoke before she could get a word out. “Do you have someone in mind, Lisa Leann? To go with you?”
    Lisa Leann’s shoulders relaxed. “I do, thank you very much, Vonnie.” She turned her baby blues toward me. “I think Evangeline and I should go. We’ll get familiar with the city, find out where the best suppliers are—”
    “Me?” I said just as Donna piped in, “Can’t you just do that on the Internet?”
    Lisa Leann shook her head. “Not adequately,” she said. “Ladies, this is too important to cut any corners. We’re doing this for the church, let’s not forget.”
    “Me?” I repeated. “Why me? What did I do?”
    “Yes, you, Evangeline Vesey, and stop acting like it’s a root canal. Besides, I’ve already spoken to Vernon about it, and he approves of your going. I told him all the reasons why you should be there with me, and he agreed wholeheartedly. Now, if everyone will hush and let me talk, I’ll explain a little more …”
    “You said yes?” I said to my husband later that evening. “Why would you do that without asking me first?” We were in our bedroom, my suitcase spread wide on top of the bed. I was already packing—me on one side of the bed, Vernon watching from the other—though our flight was not until Friday. Very early Friday morning, to be exact. Lisa Leann had made the reservations before I’d left the boutique, choosing a nonstop flight that would get us there around 2:30 in the afternoon, what with the time difference.
    “I could see her point in your going with her.” Vernon shrugged