Glazed Murder Read Free Page B

might as well have said you witnessed the whole thing," she said. "He even mentioned your shop's name in his broadcast. Did you hear him?"
     
This wasn't going well, and I didn't even want to think about what she might say next. It would be best if I could make light of it. "Who knows, maybe thepublicity will do me some good. We could always use the business."
     
She frowned at me, which was not an entirely unexpected reaction from her. "Suzanne Marie Hart, this is serious. Are you all right?"
     
"I'm fine, Momma. I didn't see a thing. There's nothing to worry about."
     
My mother had a strength of will that few in town could match. "You'd better be, or Lester is going to meet the back of my horsewhip."
     
After she had a cup of coffee and one of the wheat donuts she preferred, Momma left to take care of some pressing business. I had no idea what that might be, but I wasn't about to ask. It had been a tough transition moving back in with her, and even now--a full year after my divorce--we were both still trying to figure out how to live together without killing each other. Maybe that was a little harsh. Most of the time we got along just fine, but she had a way of pushing my buttons sometimes that even Max hadn't managed in our years together. I suppose it made sense. After all, she was the one who had installed them in the first place.
     
I was nearly back to normal when something happened that made my blood pressure jump two dozen points. My ex-husband Max showed up.
     
"Speak of the devil, and he appears," I said, wondering what was important enough to bring him back into my life.
     
     
A GOOD BEGINNING DONUT
     
This donut is a good place to start your morning, or your donut-making career. It's a fairly simple recipe that yields good results, and with a little practice, it can be your go-to recipe when you need a quick fix.
     
     
INGREDIENTS
     
4-5 cups bread flour
     
1 cup granulated sugar
     
1 teaspoon baking soda
     
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
     
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
     
2 dashes of salt
     
1/2 cup sour cream
     
1 egg, beaten
     
1 cup buttermilk
     
DIRECTIONS
     
Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl and sift it into another bowl. Add the beaten egg to the dry mix, then add the sour cream and the buttermilk to the mixture and stir it all in lightly. You may need more buttermilk or flour to get the dough to a workable mix. This varies based on temperature and humidity, and the dough should resemble bread dough when you're finished. That is, it shouldn't stick to your hands when you touch it, but it should be moist enough to remain flexible. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it soon enough. Knead this mix lightly, then roll it out to about 1/4 of an inch. Then, take your donut hole cutter--a simplecircle with a removable center--and press out your donut shapes, reserving the holes for a later frying. The cutters are inexpensive, and worth having on hand.
     
Set your fryer for 375 degrees, and when the oil is ready, put 4 to 6 donuts in the basket, depending on the size of your equipment. This can also be done in a deep pot, but I find the precision of the fryer worth the money, especially if you're going to make donuts fairly often.
     
Let the donuts cook for about two minutes on one side, then check one. If it's golden brown, the shade I prefer, flip it over with a large chopstick or wooden skewer, and let that side cook another two minutes.
     
Once the donuts are finished, remove them to a cooling rack or a plate lined with paper towels, being sure to drain them thoroughly before serving. You can coat the top with butter and then sprinkle them with powdered sugar, cinnamon, or eat them plain.
     
Makes approximately 1 dozen donuts.
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 2
     
Max gave me that beautiful smile of his, and I felt my knees weaken, despite our sordid history together. "Now is that any way to talk to me? I just heard about what happened this morning. I'm worried