Death of the Family Recipe (A Scotti Fitzgerald Murder Mystery Book 3) by Anita Rodgers Page B

out."
     
    I pivoted back to him. "Freak out? What did you do?" I hurried out to the living room and screamed. "Where’s my stuff?"
     
    Ted was right behind me. "Scotti, calm down."
     
    But I was heading for the kitchen. "Calm down, my ass." When I walked into the kitchen I screamed again. "Where is everything?"
     
    Ted locked his arms around my shoulders. "We moved a few extra things."
     
    Pulling at his arms I said, "Who said you could do that?"
     
    He held me tighter. "Take a breath. It’s okay, just breathe."
     
    A few things? My industrial refrigerator, my O’Keefe & Merritt stove, half of my pots and pans and God knows what else. "Let go of me, you big gorilla and tell me what you did with my stuff!"
     
    Ted released me and I stomped around the kitchen, checking cabinets, drawers, and closets. "A few things?" I trembled with anger. "Everything's gone!"
     
    Ted’s voice was soft and reassuring. "We moved more than we planned, that’s true." He shrugged. "There was plenty of room in the truck and we were moving already, right?"
     
    I tugged on my hair. "You moved everything because there was room in the truck?" I was two seconds from the blubber zone. "Now all my things are in your garage, getting dusty and covered with spider webs?"
     
    He put his arm around my shoulders and led me to the butcher-block — which surprisingly still had the stools around it. He sat but I was too agitated. "Yes, some of it’s in the garage, temporarily." He held up a finger so I wouldn’t speak. "We needed the appliances to make sure they’d fit."
     
    I scowled at the foreign appliances in my kitchen. "Where did those come from?"
     
    "My house."
     
    I leaned my butt on a stool. "You switched your appliances for mine?" I took a deep breath and frowned. "But I still have three more pie days before the wedding. How am I going to bake with this broken down crap?"
     
    Ted laughed and tweaked my nose. "Thanks a lot."
     
    "I’m a professional cook." I pointed at the appliances. "This stuff is for amateurs."
     
    He nodded. "I know, honey. But Melinda said you can use her kitchen for the next three weeks. I know it’s not the same, but we’ll manage."
     
    I frowned at him. "You should’ve asked."
     
    "Copy that." He shrugged. "But we were on a roll, you were asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. So we went for it." I couldn’t be mad, Ted did what husbands are supposed to do — take care of business. And had he ever. He pulled me into a hug. "I get that it’s a big change. But do you really want to move as soon as we get home from the honeymoon?"
     
    I nodded. "You’re right, it’s easier this way." I blew out a breath. "But it’s not just the kitchen stuff, where are my other things?"
     
    Ted tipped up my face to look at him. "You know that big house I live in? It’s got a lot of empty rooms. Your things are safe and sound and in our house. Okay?"
     
    I lay my head on his chest. "Hard to believe I didn’t wake up while you were doing all this." I looked up at him. "You didn't drug me, did you?"
     
    He gave me a quick squeeze. "How about we get some chow? You must be hungry." He patted my stomach. "I know the baby is."
     
    Sticking out my belly I said, "I’m not even showing yet."
     
    In a squeaky creepy baby voice Ted said, "Food, food, me wants some food. Feed the beast."
     
    I laughed then frowned. "Stop calling her the beast — she’s going to think that’s her name." I frowned at my gutted kitchen. "Okay, take out it is but get extra cannoli’s. And a movie." I scowled at him. "I still have something to play a movie on, right?"
     
    Ted stood and saluted. "Yes ma’am, ma’am."
     
    I gave him a gentle push. "Go."
     
    "You’re not coming with me?"
     
    "No, I’m taking inventory."
     
    <<>>
     
    Sunday morning Ted woke me early and prodded me out of bed. "Ready for our day of fun?" I looked around a little dazed. "Come on recruit, snap to it." He pulled me to my feet and walked me toward