“Don’t let the reverend hear you say that,” Jack grumbled.
“Even the mayor seemed nonplussed,” Liza commented. “So how’d this whole ‘no booze on the Holy Day’ law get passed, anyway?”
Jack crooked a brow. “These are God-fearing Christians, darlin’. Who’s gonna publicly choose booze over Christ?”
“Good point,” she said. “Still…seems a bit tyrannical, don’t you think? Whatever happened to good old fashioned democracy? A ballot with an anonymous vote?”
“Something we’d like to see,” George admitted. “But Reverend Bain uses the strategic tactic of guilting the sinners into seeing his way in person. Can’t do that with a written ballot.”
“I see what you’re saying.” Still, as Liza’s eyes scanned the crowded dining room, she swore she saw more distaste than pleasure on the faces of those sipping water, coffee and tea with their meals.
“What about revenue?” she asked. “I mean, Jack’s place loses money because of the alcohol ban. What about the grocery stores? The restaurants?” Talk about screwing with a town’s economy! “Think of the profits Mike and Ruby are losing when this place is wall-to-wall with people and the waiting area is overflowing into the street. They could be serving beer, wine and cocktails with dinner and to those waiting for a table.”
“You’re preachin’ to the choir, sweetheart,” Jack said, his voice tight.
She understood his frustration. Empathized with it. “So he uses God against you all. Not very Christian, if you ask me. And, hey!” she added, a thought occurring to her. “What about during Sunday service? What does he offer the repentant sinners? Kool-Aid?”
“Oh no,” Ruby chimed in as she appeared at the table to take their orders. “That’s wine. Holy wine, ‘cause we wouldn’t want to offend God with Kool-Aid.”
“Well, this is just plain ridiculous,” Liza said. Her stomach growled—loudly—distracting her. “Whatever Mike is making us for dinner would go nice with a bold red.”
“You said it, sister,” Ruby concurred. The others nodded their heads in agreement. “So you want yours to go?”
Liza smirked at her. “And miss your sunny disposition? Not in a million.”
Ruby chuckled. “That’s the first time anyone’s taken me over hooch. And that includes my husband, I regret to inform ya’ll.”
Everyone laughed. Liza said, “He’s probably just worn out from feeding all our hungry mouths.”
“He wasn’t too worn out last night,” she said with a wink, leaving mouths gaping. She turned to Jess and asked, “What’ll it be, honey?”
Liza noticed Ruby wasn’t the only one working the floor and she was pleased the restaurant owner had chosen to wait on their table. Not that they were going to be a fussy group. Jess inquired about this evening’s special and Ruby barely got the words “Lasagna Bolognese” out when Jess said, “I’ll have that.”
“Make it two,” George said.
“Three,” Jack chimed in.
Ruby sighed. “Why did I even bother paying to have menus printed up?”
Liza toyed with hers, flipping it open. As much as she’d had her heart set on the special, she had a feeling something more adventurous awaited her. “I’ll venture outside the box,” she said. “Italian sausage and peppers.”
“That’s Mike’s specialty, honey,” Ruby said. “He creates his own combinations. Tonight’s is parmesan cheese and roasted garlic rolled into the sweetest, spiciest Italian sausage you’ve ever tasted.”
Liza felt another orgasm coming on. “I’m in for one hell of a treat.” She handed over her menu. But she really didn’t want to miss out on the lasagna, either. Turning to Jack, she asked, “Will you allow me to nibble?”
“We’re talking about food, right?” he countered with a wicked glint in his eyes.
“Yes,” Liza said, trying to fight the inevitable heat his mere presence—not to mention his sinful gaze—sparked. “Just a sample.”
“More than happy to share with you, darlin’.”
She had to look away, because she was smiling like an infatuated schoolgirl. They’d shared plenty these past few days. Thinking about all those erotic moments made her blush even deeper.
Unfortunately, as she tried to get her riotous emotions under control, her gaze landed on Lydia, who was watching their table a little too close for comfort.
What was that woman’s problem?
Knowing she wouldn’t get the answer she sought at that moment, but deciding to press Jack about it later, she jumped into the conversation at the table.