Page 29 of Deadly Misfortunes

At lunchtime, Sascha was surprised to see Gregory return. “I’m not here for a reading this time, but to get you all something to eat.”

“I could have told you he was coming,” Kat said, finishing up with a customer.

“You envisioned it?” Sascha asked.

“Nope. Just a gut feeling.”

Unable to stay away from Sascha, and with no important business to attend to today, Gregory fully intended to buy lunch for Sascha, her cousins, and Prescott when it was time for the meal. He went around the back of Sascha’s booth and peeked in. “What does everyone want to eat?”

They all looked at him in surprise. “I returned to the fairground to get some brisket.”

“Brisket for me sounds great,” Prescott said.

“You know, I’ll have the same,” Sascha said. She hadn’t had a juicy brisket in a good long while.

Kat nodded. “Me too. And raspberry lemonade.”

“I’ll have the raspberry tea and curly fries,” Sascha said.

“Corned-dog ale for me,” Prescott said, “and the curly fries for both Kat and me.”

“Okay, got it. I’ll ask Lucy too.” Gregory left their tent, went to Lucy’s, and asked her the same question.

“Everyone’s having brisket? Me too. And raspberry tea,” Lucy said before taking care of her next customer.

“I’ll be right back,” Prescott said.

The whole family was speculating like crazy about why Gregory had actually returned to see them. He wondered if any of them had guessed that he would. He was afraid he would come too late and that they might have already eaten.

He picked up the orders for everyone and got a call from Rose. “Yeah, Rose?”

“Where are you? I thought we were going to have lunch together at Lemoynes.”

Damon’s main restaurant.

“Oh, sorry, I forgot all about it.”

“Are you going to be a little late?” Rose asked, sounding hopeful.

“Uh, no, I’m at the fairgrounds.”

“Why? You went there this morning. Did you stay there all day?”

“No, I left for a while. I just wanted some brisket and⁠—”

“You’re eating with Sascha.”

“I’m getting everyone food.”

Rose didn’t say anything for a few minutes.

“I’m sorry, Rose. I didn’t mean to stand you up.”

“You’re bringing her home after the fair closes, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Ask her what she would like for dinner, and I’ll make sure we have it.” Rose sounded like she was fine with being stood up if he was bringing Sascha home tonight.