“Your Ma’s cookin’ sure hits the spot,” Lou raved to John after dinner the night before Christmas Eve. “You Southerners know your vittles. Her corn dodgers are my favorite. My mouth waters every time I think about ’em.” He followed John out to the porch so John could smoke an after-dinner segar. Mrs. Surratt forbade smoking in the house.
“Well, Aunt Rachel was Ma’s cook for years, but since she’s back at the tavern, Ma’s been teaching her daughter Jinny how to cook. She’s purty good at it, I do say so myself.” John puffed on his segar.
“I never had garlic mashed potatoes before.” Lou rubbed his hand in a circle over his belly. “My bread basket is stuffed; couldn’t stop eatin’ ’em.”
“Yeah, just don’t try to kiss nobody for the next three days.” John smiled to himself, knowing Lou had nev
