Mustard and Love 29

Isabella kissed Tony’s cheek. “Sleep well, sweetheart.”

Tony hugged his teddy bear and his eyes closed. “Night mommy.”

Her cell phone, left on the kitchen table downstairs, rang. Isabella left Tony’s room, careful to leave the door open a touch, and hurried down the stairs. The phone was still ringing when she grabbed it. She thumbed it on. “Hello?”

“Hi Isabella. This is Brett. How are you doing?”

Brett. A memory of Fernando telling her he was dangerous made her bite her lip. She had been wondering when he would call, and had rehearsed some possible conversations they could have, but now all words fled. All she could say was, “Fine. How about you?” 

“I’ve been thinking about you. I thought you and I and little Tony could go to the zoo together this Saturday, but something just came up. I need to be out of town for two weeks.”

“That’s okay.” Against her will, she sounded relieved. Maybe she should heed Fernando’s warning. She mentally frowned at herself. She was her own person, and Brett was a nice guy. It was Fernando who was messed up. It was nice of Brett to apologize to her that he couldn’t go out with her and Tony. On impulse she said, “We could always do it when you come back.”

“That’s what I thought, too. But I’d really love to see you again before I leave. Is that possible?”

“Why not? But it would have to be without Tony. He gets cranky when he’s up too late.”

“You could get a babysitter, couldn’t you?”

She didn’t have a regular babysitter, since she’d gone out so little since Fernando… But she didn’t want to think about that now. Surely Colleen at the end of the road would sit for her. “That wouldn’t be a problem. What do you have in mind?”

“I thought we could go to the movies. I hear the new romantic comedy is really good. You do like comedy, right?”

How did the guy know? She loved romantic movies. And when they were funny, she wouldn’t think about Fernando or cry at the end. A funny, romantic movie was just what she needed. “I do. What time?”

“I thought I’d pick you up at seven on Thursday. We could get something to eat and then see the 9 o’clock show. I should have you home before midnight.”

Friday would have been better. But he probably was leaving Friday. She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her nod and said, “Sound’s okay. I’ll see you then Thursday at seven.”

She gave him her address. The moment she hung up, she started wondering if maybe she should have met him somewhere. Fernando’s warning resonated in her mind. But too late now, and Fernando was out of the picture anyway. Who knew what had happened to him in the last few months, but he was not the man she had thought he was.

She turned to the kitchen to get a cup of tea when the phone rang again.

Book Signing at Costco's

My last book signing at the Costco's in Orem was yesterday. I met some very old friends and many other interesting people.


I will be signing at Costoc's in Orem and in Lehi in July, too. I'll let you all know.

A Brand-New Book Review for Carnival Girl!

Click on this link to read the review by Becky Robinette Wright in the Deseret News from last Saturday, June 16.

Book review: 'Carnival Girl' is inspiring tale

More Book Signings at Costco

I had fun signing today. Met an old friend from when I lived in Manti, over twenty years ago, Camille Larsen. It was so good to see her and her husband! 

Tomorrow I'll be signing there again, and hopefully I'll have a little time to write another section on Mustard and Love, this time about Isabella.

Book Signings at Costco

Today's signings were a little slow, but the Costco here in Orem, Utah, sold all but three copies of Carnival Girl.


Cedar Fort, the publisher, had already brought them new copies, so I'll be there again tomorrow afternoon, ready to sign and talk to people. If you haven't seen me there yet, come by tomorrow!

Mustard and Love 28

Brett reached across the restaurant table and patted her hand. “That’s where you come in, sweetheart. Also, you’re a woman, and if it really was Isabella who hid the papers, you’d probably find them a lot easier than I would.”

Daphne almost dropped her wine glass. “What? You expect me to ransack her house for something I don’t know anything about?” She shook her head vigorously. “No way am I doing that.”

Brett put his hand over hers, trying to calm her, but she’d be darned if she’d let him use her that way.

Brett said, “It will be easy. I’ll make sure she and her brat are gone. All you have to do is sneak in in the dark and look for the papers. I’ll show you later what they should look like.”

“Oh? So you’ll have all the fun, taking her out and making love to her, while I’m breaking and entering.” She pulled her hand away from under his. “Find someone else to be your patsy.” She dug into her last bite of the really very good lobster, ready to get up and storm out of the restaurant.

Brett held out his hands. “I won’t make love to her, you know that. First, I don’t like her that much. You excite me. You’re so much sexier than she is. And second, I’ll have that little brat hanging around the whole night, pestering me. And I have to pretend to like him and be nice to him. It won’t be easy on me at all.”

He had a point there. “Would serve you right, trying to pull me into your illegal schemes,” she grumbled, but relaxed a little.

Brett went on. “And if you find it, just think of how rich and influential we’ll be. You’ll have everything you ever wanted, and more. All it takes is one evening of searching. If you put things back the way they were, Isabella will never know. You’ll be perfectly safe.”

The thought of money made her forget everything else. She’d marry Brett, and they’d have a large mansion, with servants. She could get the most expensive fashions, and get the breast enhancements she’d always wanted. And so much more. Maybe Brett was right, it would be worth the very small risk.

“Well okay. You have a point. Let’s finish the dinner and go over to my place. We can work out the details there.”

“And afterward, we can…” He leered at her, a very cute leer. “You know what I mean.”

He was such a charmer! She couldn’t wait to get him alone again.

More Signing at Costco's

I'll be signing at Costco's again today, from 12 Noon to 8 PM. Come and see me there!

Five Stars!

Carnival Girl so far had three wonderful reviews. I especially appreciate Carma Hyde's, who was on an LDS mission with me a very long time ago, and the great review of my old friend Mary Laufer. 

To all who have finished Carnival Girl, would you be so kind as to go to the Carnival Girl site at Amazon below, and give the book a 5 star rating? I'd appreciate any and all reviews, too!

http://www.amazon.com/Carnival-Girl-Searching-God-Aftermath/dp/159955996X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340560995&sr=8-1&keywords=carnival+girl

Mustard and Love 27

Daphne walked into the small restaurant at the other end of town. In the back, by the window, she spied Brett’s golden hair and her heart beat faster. He was such a good-looking, elegant man. And he was rich, and getting richer soon. Just the kind of guy she’d always been looking for.

She told the girl at the front that she was expected and her date was already there. Without looking back, she strode past the flustered girl toward Brett.

He rose, hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi.”

She sat down and smiled. “I have what you’re looking for.” She glanced at the table next to them, where a couple was in deep conversation. Behind them, a large family group seemed to celebrate a birthday, complete with noisy children and much laughter. A little girl shrieked and Daphne shuddered. She’d never saddle herself with a dirty, noisy brat. Her life would soon be one of leisure and money.

The waiter came and took their drink order. Brett smiled at her and ordered an expensive wine.

When the waiter, whose name tag said “Mark,” left, Brett leaned forward. “Did you have trouble getting it?”

Daphne shook her head. “No. Isabella usually just turns only the first number on her lock. I waited until she and Serena walked across the street for lunch and had her lock open in no time.” She dug in her purse and took out the wax impression she had carefully placed in a small metal box that formerly held breath mints.

Brett opened the box and smiled. “Nice. I’ll have a key made from it in the morning. Let’s see what we can eat here.”

Mark brought their wine. Brett ordered roast duck Indian style, and Daphne decided on lobster and filet mignon. She might as well go all out; Brett owed it to her.

With a lot of noise, the birthday party left.

Daphne frowned. “Why do we have to meet in such out-of-the-way places? And why don’t we ever go to your place? I want to be seen with you. Are you ashamed of me?”

Brett shook his head. “Be reasonable, Daphne. We can’t be seen together until this all is over. If things pan out, Fernando won’t have any proof that I am involved in anything shady. But just to be safe, I don’t want some snooping cop to find out that you and I know each other. And until the formula is in my hands, he might get some poor detective interested. We don’t want that, right?”

Daphne snickered. “As long as it’s in Isabella’s house, Fernando won’t be able to lay his hands on it. She won’t let him in anymore.”

After their food arrived, Daphne said, “So you’ll get that key made tomorrow and search her house? I can call you when she leaves to get her brat and go home. You’ll have plenty of time to get out again.”

Brett swallowed his bite. “It won’t be that easy. She lives in a neighborhood with several stay-at-home housewives. If anyone sees me go into her house when they know she’s not home, we’ll have some serious trouble.”

“Can’t you go through the back door?”

“There is no back alley leading to the house. Her back door is in the garage, and I can’t open that. Anyway, it would be even more noticeable if I were to go in through the garage door.” He shook his head. “There’s no way around it, it will have to be done in the evening or in the night, when the neighbors can’t see.”

“How are you going to do that? She’s such a homebody. She never goes out.”

Fire on the Mountain

I spent Thursday signing copies of Carnival Girl at Costco's in Orem, Utah. All ready to post another part of Mustard and Love today, I got side-tracked by my daughter, who lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

 This morning, even before she got up, she got a call to evacuate her home. The fire that had started on Thursday on the hill above Eagle Mountain grew perilously close to the neighborhood she lives in. Authorities decided to evacuate the whole neighborhood, because the danger of the fire setting off an explosion at an explosives factory nearby was too great.

So, instead of posting, I spent the day visiting with my very stressed daughter. Tonight things look better, since the wind had changed direction. She's able to return to her home without having lost anything but a day's work.

Stay tuned for more of Mustard and Love tomorrow!

Signing for Carnival Girl at Costco's

I'll be at Costco's again tomorrow, from 12 noon til 7:30 pm or so, and again on Thursday. Please come by and support your local author and friend!

Mustard and Love 26

Daphne propped herself up on her pillow, chin in hand, and smiled at Brett, but her eyes were serious, speculating. “So Isabella told me something about her ex having been kidnapped. She also said that he told her she would be in danger of a certain guy named Brett. Seems like you haven’t told me the whole truth. What’s going on?”

Brett’s half-closed eyes snapped open. “Is that what she told you? What if I tell you it isn’t true? Fernando is either messing with her mind or he’s fantasizing.”

“I keep having the feeling that maybe Fernando is a lot more together than Isabella thinks. Come on, Brett, you can tell me. Whatever it is you want from them, it must be something big, and I want to be in on it.”

Brett also propped himself up, facing her. “What else did she say? Did you find out if she still has stuff of his?”

“She said she doesn’t. It all disappeared a week after he did. She sounded pretty sure.”

“Maybe she doesn’t know about it. I’m positive it is somewhere in her house.”

“What is? Come on, Brett, tell me.”

Brett leaned over and nuzzled her neck. “Mmmm. You taste delicious.”

Daphne twisted away from him. “Be serious. I want to know.”

 “I’ll tell you when I’m good and ready.” He sat up, staring at nothing. “I think I have an idea. Do you think you could somehow get a copy of her house key? If I could get into the house without her knowing, maybe I could find it.”

Daphne pouted. “I could get a copy, but not until I know what’s going on.”

Still absent-minded, Brett said, “Well okay. I’ll tell you. If you’re straight with me, I could make us both rich beyond our wildest dreams.” He told her about kidnapping Fernando, and about the many improvements on different food issues Fernando’s research had given him. “These things that I came up with all the time, or rather Fernando came up with, were the reason the company made me the head of research, which includes a very fancy apartment and my Corvette. But once I find the formula that makes it possible to develop that weight control aid, I’ll be set for life. I won’t need Fernando for that, just the formula.”

“After he escaped, why hasn’t Fernando told on you?”

“He tried. Two officers came with him to my house. I took them to the cellar. A day earlier, I had cleared all evidence of his captivity and of the lab I had there. They looked around, apologized and left. Fernando will never be a threat to a wealthy and influential man like I will be soon.”

Daphne snuggled closer. “I’ll have that key for you in the next few days.”

Book Signings!

Come to Costco's in Orem, Utah, tomorrow at 12:00 noon, and get a discounted copy of Carnival Girl, and a free author's signature!

Cultural Hall Radio Broadcast and Podcast about Carnival Girl!

Check out this link! The interview with Sonja Herbert, me, starts just about 24 minutes into the podcast, and in it it'll tell you more about my life as the Carnival Girl, and how I met the LDS Church and got out of the carnival and into the Church. I'm being interviewed, and I really enjoyed the chance to talk about my life!


The Cultural Hall Podcast --Carnival Girl

Mustard and Love 25

Serena patted her hand. “Get it off your chest, girl.”

“I really thought I knew him. We met a little more than a year ago, about a year after Tony’s father died. All three of us got along so well, so when he proposed, I gladly accepted.” She sighed. “And that was the last I’ve seen of him. He was supposed to come the next Saturday, and we were going to pick out our rings. But he never showed up. There must have been something in him, some flaw or immaturity that had him getting scared and running. So I tried to forget about him.”

Daphne shook her head. “You poor thing. There’ll be someone new, I’m sure.”

“That’s not all of it,” Isabella went on. “A few days ago, he suddenly shows up on my doorstep and tells me he’d been kidnapped. He says something about a discovery he’d made and about Brett Doukas, that food chemist who was in here the other day.”

Daphne’s eyes were wide and gleaming. “Really? What about Brett? How does your ex know him?”

“They used to be roommates in school. So now Fernando shows up and tells me that I’m in danger, that my opinion doesn’t matter, and that I need to pack my stuff, take Tony and get out of town.”

Serena’s eyes grew large. “What if it’s true?”

Daphne frowned. “Don’t be silly. If it were true, he’d have gone to the police, right? And what does that all have to do with Brett, anyway? The guy is deluded.” She smiled at Isabella. “You’re lucky you didn’t marry him. It would have come to no good. You know what I’d do if I were you? I’d toss all his things out of my apartment and tell him to get lost.”

“I pretty much already did that. And since everything he had at my house had disappeared right after he did, there is nothing to throw out. But sometimes I wonder if maybe he isn’t lying. I just can’t tear him out of my heart.”

Daphne pushed away her empty plate and rose. “You have to forget about him. He’s a liar and a cheat, and he’s playing with you.”

Isabella and Serena, too, got up. Isabella said, “Thanks for listening. I feel much better now.” In her heart, she decided she’d go out with Brett when he’d call. Maybe, just maybe, Brett knew something. And if he didn’t, at the least she’d have a good time with a very nice and rich guy.

Together, the girls crossed the street and went back to work.

Mustard and Love 24

Isabella ordered a ham sandwich and a soft drink, and Daphne was happy with half a chef’s salad. Serena smiled at her burger with French fries.

While Serena munched on a fry with ketchup, Daphne pushed her salad away and leaned forward. “You’re been so deep in thought the last few days. Is it boyfriend trouble?”

Isabella put down her sandwich. “How did you know?”

Serena giggled. “A person must be blind not to notice. You’re so quiet, and sometimes you just stand there, thinking. It has to be a boyfriend.”

“And from the looks of it, it must be trouble, not something pleasant,” Daphne added, a smile on her beautiful face.

Serena’s voice toned down almost to a whisper. “You can tell us. What are girlfriends for if you can’t tell them?”

Yes, indeed. Isabella had kept to herself after Fernando had left her because she was embarrassed to confess he’d proposed to her almost as a joke, and then forsaken her and Tony. At that time, too, her best friend, Rose, had just been married and didn’t seem to have much time for her anymore. So Isabella decided to not confide in anyone and carry the burden of her abandonment on her own shoulders. After all, she was strong and had lived through worse.

But now, as she looked into Daphne’s concerned face and Serena’s guileless eyes, she decided the time had come to talk. It would clarify things in her own mind, too.

“You’re both right,” she said. “It’s ex-boyfriend trouble, and I don’t quite know what to make of it all.”

Mustard and love 23

“Isabella!” Serena called.

Isabella, just about to sprinkle white pepper over her latest creation, stopped in mid-shake. Serena’s voice still made her jump inside every time she heard it. “What’s the matter?”

“Are you sure you want to put pepper on the nutmeg carrot casserole?”

Isabella stared at the container in her hand. She’d been sure it was their new nutmeg.

Daphne, who had checked on the kitchen more than usual this morning, smiled at her. “So deep in thought? Why don’t you put this into the refrigerator, and let’s go and have some lunch. There are plenty of samples out there right now, so it can wait until we get back.”

Isabella smiled back weakly. Why is miss Hoity-Toity so nice all the sudden? But never mind, she had a point. “Maybe you’re right. My mind should be on my work, but it isn’t.” She pushed the casserole into the refrigerator. “Time for a break.”

“Great,” Serena said, and together they went across the street to the small café where Isabella had met Brett a few days ago.