“Do you think it was foolish of me to do it?”
“Without a doubt it was,” Hannah said with a smile as she prepared to use one of her grandmother’s favorite phrases. “That was about as foolish as foolish can get. But honestly, Mother . . . if I’d been there, I would have done exactly the same thing.”
Delores laughed and then she stopped abruptly. “I think Mike was a little angry with me.”
“Of course he was. Mike’s a by-the-book cop and he likes to take charge. He probably told you to wait until he got there.”
“I did,” Mike said from the doorway, startling both of them. “She disobeyed a direct order from a police officer. Do you know that’s actionable, Delores?”
“I didn’t disobey your direct order. I didn’t hear you. The phone was squawking, but I couldn’t make out the words because I was busy trying to find Tori.”
“And now she’s telling me I squawk. Parrots squawk. Police officers don’t.” Mike reached out to pat Delores’s shoulder to show that he was teasing and then he took the stool next to hers. “I was just concerned for you, Delores. It could have been dangerous.”
“I know. If I’d thought it through, I might not have gone in alone. But I didn’t think. I was too worried about Tori to think. All I cared about was finding out if she was hurt and if she needed my help.”
“Water over the bridge, or under the bridge, or whatever that is,” Mike said, dismissing the subject. Then he thanked Lisa as she brought him coffee and reached over to take a cookie. “I don’t know about your mother, Hannah. First she disobeys my direct order and now she’s hogging the cookies. If there isn’t a statute on the books against that, there ought to be.”
The three women laughed and Mike took a bite of his cookie. He finished it in three gulps and reached for another. “There ought to be a statute against these cookies, too.”
“Why?” Hannah asked, knowing full-well that Mike was teasing again.
“Because not only are they criminally delicious, I can testify that they’re definitely addictive.”
“I’ll get more,” Lisa said, grabbing the empty platter and heading off to the bakers rack to refill it.
“Story time today?” Mike asked Hannah.
“Yes. Lisa told it yesterday, too.” She turned to her mother. “Did you hear Lisa yesterday?”
Delores shook her head. “No. I couldn’t bear to hear it. The whole thing was still too fresh in my mind. I’ll listen today, though. The audience might like to ask me a couple of questions.”
“I’m sure they will,” Mike said, standing up. “It’s been fun chatting with you ladies, but my coffee break’s over, and I have to get back to work.” He turned to Hannah. “Will you be home later?”
Hannah was surprised by the question. “Yes, of course I’ll be home.”
“What time will you get there?”
Hannah frowned slightly. It was a strange question for Mike to ask. “I’m not sure. I might have to stop at the store, but I should be home by five-thirty. Why?”
“Because Norman and I bought you a wedding present and we need to bring it out to you. Will Ross will be there, too?”
“He should be. He told me he’d be home by six at the latest. Would you and Norman like to stay for dinner? I’m trying out a new recipe in the crock pot.”
“You bet! Whatever it is, it’s bound to be good. I’ll check in with Norman later today and we’ll come out together.”
Mike hesitated and Hannah knew he wanted to say something else, but he must have thought better of it because he headed directly for the back door. He turned to give her a wave, and then he went out into the frosty early morning.
“I wonder what they bought for you and Ross,” Delores said. “Neither one of them asked me for suggestions.”
Hannah shrugged. “I have no idea, but I’ll tell you tomorrow, Mother.”
“That’s fine, dear. And I have to leave, too. I’m opening at Granny’s Attic this morning. Donald Meyers called and he wants to take a look at the hand crank sewing machine I have in the front window. He says he thinks it might be perfect for the leather work he does.”
Lisa set a full cookie bag in front of Delores. “Take these cookies, Delores. You can have them on your coffee break.”
“Thank you!” Delores smiled as she took the bag. “These cookies are going to be a real winner for you. I just know it. And, Lisa?”
“Yes, Delores.”
“I’m going to come in at noon to hear you tell your story.”
Hannah got up to escort her mother to the door. She opened it, expecting Delores to step out and hurry through the chilly morning to her antique store, but Delores stood there with her hand on the door.
“I have something to give you, Hannah. I didn’t want to do it in front of Mike. Andrea said she’s coming in this morning for coffee so I want you to bring her over to Granny’s Attic. Will you do that, dear?”
Hannah was puzzled. What did her mother have for her that she didn’t want Mike to see? “What’s this about, Mother?”
“I’ll tell you when you get to Granny’s Attic. I have to go now, dear. I need to call Michelle and wish her good luck with her play. She’s been rehearsing her cast for a month now.”
“When I talked to her last night, she mentioned that she had a final for her directing class.”
“That’s right. Everyone in the class had to stage a one-act play. They’re performing them today.”
“I’ll text her and wish her success,” Hannah promised. She still didn’t know what her mother wanted to show her, but she knew that asking for the second time would do little good. Instead, she gave her mother a parting hug. “Okay, Mother. Andrea and I will see you later.”
ORANGE FUDGE COOKIES
DO NOT pre-heat the oven yet. This dough must chill before baking.
1 and ? cups butter (3 sticks, 12 ounces, ? pound)
1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate (I used Baker’s)
1 and ? cups white (granulated) sugar ? cup orange juice concentrate (I used Minute Maid)
2 beaten eggs (just whip them up in a glass with a fork)