Michelle nodded. “You bet I do! Don’t worry, Hannah.”
Hannah watched as Andrea tried her best to keep a little space between herself and Sonny. “And to think Andrea told me she thought Sonny was handsome this morning!”
“He looks pretty gross now,” Michelle said, pushing back her chair. “I’d better go rescue Andrea before she coldcocks him. She’s been working out at the gym, and I want to get to her before she decides she’s had enough.”
They all saw Andrea shoot Michelle a grateful glance as she stepped onto the dance floor. Michelle smiled at her sister and gave Andrea the okay sign. “I’m cutting in,” Michelle said, grabbing Sonny’s arm and pulling him away from Andrea.
“What . . . wha’s goin’ on?” Sonny asked, giving Michelle a blank look.
“You’ve got me now,” they heard Michelle say. “Let me teach you how to dance, big boy!”
“Whoa!” Sonny began to laugh. “I got a tough girl now! A regular little . . .”
“Don’t say it!” Michelle interrupted him. “I wouldn’t want to have to wash your mouth out with soap.”
“Hoo-hah!” Sonny said with a laugh. “I like ’em mean, babe!”
“Dance,” Michelle ordered, pulling him around the floor. “Somebody said you were a star. Is that right?”
“Tha’s right. Fishin’ star.”
Michelle managed to step away slightly as Sonny attempted to pull her closer. “No handling the merchandise,” she said. “You pick it up, you have to buy it and you don’t have that much money.”
“Where did she get that line?” Lonnie asked, and Hannah could tell he was trying not to look shocked.
“It’s from a play she was in at college,” Hannah told him.
“What play was that?” Lonnie asked, but he still looked a bit rattled by this new side of Michelle.
“It was a one-act play and Mother and I drove down to Macalester to see it. She directed it, and she also played the lead. I don’t remember the exact title, but I think it had something to do with beach blankets. Mother and I were a bit shocked, and Michelle thought that was hilarious.”
“I’m back!” Andrea said, gasping for air as she flopped into her chair. “That was awful! I think I need a drink!”
“Finish mine,” Hannah said, shoving her miniature martini glass over to Andrea.
“Thanks!” Hannah watched as Andrea downed the rest of the martini in one gulp. “He’s really awful!” she said. “I hope Michelle will be all right.”
“She will be if Hannah gets out there,” Delores responded. “Michelle’s trying to get a little breathing space, but Sonny keeps leaning over her and trying to kiss her.”
“I’m going to . . .”
“No, you won’t,” Mike said quickly. “Stick to the plan, Lonnie. The ladies have got it all figured out.”
“That’s right,” Hannah told him. “You’re going to sit there while I go take care of it, and Michelle will come right back to the table.”
Norman looked slightly concerned and he turned toward Hannah. “Are you okay, Hannah?”
Hannah patted his shoulder as she stood up. “Don’t worry, I got this, Norman. He’ll never know what hit him!”
Lonnie didn’t look convinced but he stayed seated as Hannah headed for the dance floor.
There were several other couples out on the dance floor, and Hannah skirted them to get to Michelle and Sonny. “My turn,” she said, grabbing Sonny by the shoulders and turning him around to face her.
“Not . . . not same,” he mumbled, almost falling as she picked up his arm and released Michelle from his grasp. “Back to the table,” she hissed to her sister. “Lonnie’s getting anxious.”
“Very glad to see you,” Michelle said quickly, taking her opportunity and running with it. “Good luck, Hannah.”
“Han . . . nah,” Sonny said, squinting at her. “I know you. Rolls.”
“That’s right,” Hannah said, grabbing his shoulders and turning him toward her. “Dance.”
“Roll . . . girl,” Sonny said again, wavering a bit on his feet. “Make more.”
“You’ll have them tomorrow morning,” Hannah promised, shoving him around the floor. “Move your feet, Sonny. Don’t pass out on me. I’m not going to catch you.”
“Catch me, catch me if you can,” he mumbled, but he did move his feet. And that’s when she saw Delores standing up at the table.
“I didn’t have that much time on the ice,” she said, echoing one of her favorite hockey expressions. “Just don’t fall down yet, Sonny, and spoil Mother’s fun.”
Delores was smiling as she came across the room with Doc, Mike, and Lonnie. “My turn,” she said to Sonny, lifting his arms, putting them around her shoulders, and tromping on his foot.
“Owwww!” Sonny groaned. “Wha’s you do tha’ for?”
“For this,” Doc said, motioning to Lonnie, who grabbed Sonny’s left arm, and Mike, who grabbed Sonny’s right arm.
“Owwww!” Sonny complained again, limping a bit as the two men half walked, half carried him across the room. “Say bye-bye, Sonny,” Delores said, escorting them as far as the door.
“Looks like Doc’s got a D.R.I.,” Hannah said, sitting down next to Norman.
“Dance-related injury?” he guessed.
“Either that or Delores-related injury. They both apply.” Hannah turned to Delores. “Nice footwork, Mother.”
Delores smiled. “Thank you, dear. Here comes Sally with our drinks.”
Sally arrived at their table slightly breathless. “You did a really good job handling Sonny,” she told them, setting the tray on the table and distributing the glasses. “Dick said Mike called down to say they were on their way back. He’s keeping your appetizers warm and he’ll bring them over when everyone gets here. And by the way, tonight’s drinks are on us. We appreciate all the help you gave us with Sonny.”
“Joey called Wally to tell him what happened, and Wally thanks you, too.”
“Where is Wally?” Hannah asked, realizing that the organizer of the fishing tournament wasn’t in attendance.
“He had to drive up to Brainerd tonight. They’re opening a new store tomorrow and he promised them he’d be there for the opening. He’ll be back tomorrow afternoon, though.” Sally looked up as Doc, Mike, and Lonnie returned to the bar. “Here come the rest of your group. I’ll go help Dick bring the appetizers. He can hardly wait to see what Doc thinks of his Baked Scotch Eggs.”
It only took a few moments to serve the appetizers, and Doc began to smile as he bit into his Baked Scotch Egg. “Perfect,” he said. “I like these even better than the deep-fried kind.”
“And they’re healthier, too . . . aren’t they, dear?” Delores asked him.
“I suppose they are,” Doc said quickly. “I never thought about that before. Scotch Eggs are so good, I didn’t really care.”
“And that’s why Doc’s a great doctor!” Sally said.
“Agreed,” Hannah added. “It’s one of the reasons we all love him. Doc always says that sometimes eating great food is worth sacrificing a few calories or grams of cholesterol.”
BAKED SCOTCH EGGS
DO NOT preheat oven until you have read Hannah’s 1st Note.