She could talk to Cosmo while she prepared the coffeepot, got out the dishes, and carried them into the dining room. The last thing she did was fill a large pot with water, add some extra-virgin olive oil, throw in a pinch of salt, and put it on SIMMER for the pasta. Finito!

Lizzie popped a ginger ale and sat down, but not before heaving a huge sigh. Her voice was soft and intimate when she said, “Hi, Cricket, it’s me.”

Lizzie’s guests all arrived within five minutes of each other. All sniffed appreciatively, commenting on the delectable aromas wafting through the house. Lizzie felt smug, it didn’t get any better than cinnamon, garlic, and onions. Comfort food, and that was what Lizzie was trying to convey to her guests. From the sounds of their voices earlier, they all needed it.

There was a camaraderie, a genuine fondness for each other as they all hugged and babbled about how good it was to meet in a semisocial situation.

Lizzie served wine and beer as they all gathered around her dining room table. She started off by saying there would be no business conducted until their meal was finished, just the way the Sisters did things on the mountain.

The dinner was family style, everything in the middle of the table so that everyone could help themselves. Conversation was lively and at times boisterous when Ted and Maggie discussed the nude beach they’d visited on their trip north. Lizzie’s impressive winnings in Las Vegas were discussed in great detail.

“Then, before we left the casino I decided to play twenty more dollars and guess what? I won a hundred dollars! Twice I got three cherries. Do you believe that? Cosmo said I had the makings of a gambler. I think he was joking, but I was sooo excited. Maybe he was serious. Do you suppose I could shut down the law practice and spend my days making the rounds of the casinos?” She giggled.

Her guests were in awe. None of them had ever heard Lizzie Fox giggle. Ever.

“What did you do with your winnings?” Maggie asked as she cut herself a second slice of pie.

“I was going to buy Cosmo a drink, but he said no. He doesn’t believe in the woman paying for anything, so I donated all my winnings to the SPCA for a free neutering program they have going on. Cosmo matched my donation, so it was a win-win.” She giggled again, to everyone’s delight.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lizzie could see that Harry Wong was starting to get fidgety. It was time to get down to business. She was surprised when Ted and Joe Espinosa got up and volunteered to clean up.

When both men were in the kitchen, Lizzie whispered to Maggie, “How hard was it to train Ted to take care of kitchen duties?”

Maggie finished her pie, wiped her mouth, and whispered back. “It was so easy, Lizzie. ‘No sex unless you do your share.’ Hey, I cook, he has to clean up. That’s fair. Wow, I am stuffed. I never thought meatless spaghetti could be so good. How about giving me the recipe?”