Page 13 (1/2)

He was referring to ain, which, in addition to Romeo and Julep and The Last of the Mojitos, included other literary-inspired libations like Tequila Mockingbird and Huckleberry Sin And yes, they were all inspired by classic books

"The classics were my father’s favorites," I said quietly "I created the cocktail ht into his eyes, I saw the brief flicker of regret there

"I’m sorry," he said stiffly "I didn’t know"

"That’s because you didn’t bother to ask"

Jackson and I stared at each other in silence until Rayford discreetly cleared his throat "Aheave a curt nod and turned on his heel, giving ain He strode away down the echoing hallway, turned a corner, and went out of sight

"Well," said Rayford, sounding a little dazed "I think you’d best go buy yourself a lottery ticket, Miss Bianca"

When I looked at him with ized to anyone in as long as I can remember Todayhis arm "Please don’t makeoff the marble, he led me away from the library and down the hall

"and all the pans are in these drawers," said Jackson, opening yet another enormous drawer to reveal an array of expensive pots and pans, neatly arranged

He’d shownfroe to the cabinets above the sink, and finally the wall of pullout drawers below the row of ovens The kitchen was al as the library, with its own fireplace at one end and a flat-screen TV on the opposite wall Everything was gleaht The kitchen was far war and popping in the hearth and the television tuned to anews show, it was al area," Jackson continued, pointing to the French doors that opened onto a wide brick patio shaded by an arbor of wisteria vine "The south laill be tented and set up with the dining tables The silent auction is scheduled to begin at four with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, and the dinner seating begins at six"

"Which event coordinator are you working with?"

Jackson mentioned the nae events I nodded, pleased by the choice

He said, "She’s got all the rentals already covered, including china, glassware, linens, tables, all of it Everything will be set the day before, so there should be no one in your hen you get started"

That sounded good Things were looking ether than I’d dared hope

"I’ll need to talk to her about the buffet setup--"

"It’s not a buffet," he interrupted "Dinner will be served"

Starting to sweat, I repeated, "Served?"