“It’s red and it’s thick, and it looks kind of sticky.”
“Oh,” Hannah said. “I’m not sure what it is, but I really hope it’s spaghetti sauce.”
They got to Lake Eden in less than fifteen minutes, just as Mike had predicted. Mike took the corner by the rectory at a speed that was definitely unsafe, and squealed to a stop in front of the church. “Stay there,” he told her. “I’ll get your door.”
Mike ran around to open her door and Hannah clambered out. “Get inside!” he told her. “I’ll park in the back and come in that way.”
Hannah didn’t need any further urging. She raced up the steps of the church, intent on getting inside as quickly as she could.
As she barged through the doors, she heard several of the ushers gasp, but she didn’t stop in her headlong rush down the aisle. “I’m here!” she called out, heading straight for the front of the church. And that was when she saw the cameras.
Every single one of the Food Channel cameras was trained on her, documenting her dash into the church. No one said a word and Hannah stopped as she approached the front, as if there were some sort of invisible barrier. “Sorry I’m late,” she said as she faced the bank of cameras. “I was catching a killer.”
There was perfect silence in the crowded church for a few brief seconds, and then Grandma Knudson rose to her feet. “Relax,” she said, addressing the congregation. “That’s our Hannah for you!” And the moment she said it everyone including the members of the Food Channel film crew, burst out into laughter.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Hannah apologized, “but Chef Duquesne’s killer tried to attack me and I had to hide from him in a Dumpster, and then the garbage truck came, and . . .”
“Not now, Hannah,” Grandma Knudson interrupted her. “Claire? Take Hannah to the parsonage and get her into the shower, clothes and all. I don’t even want to think about what’s in her hair.” She turned to Hannah. “Go, Hannah. Your sisters will bring you your wedding gown.”
As Hannah meekly followed Claire to the side door of the church, she heard Grandma Knudson address the congregation again, “Come with me, everyone. We’re going down to the basement for refreshments before the wedding ceremony, instead of after. We’ll drink coffee and eat cookies while Hannah gets herself presentable. I made plenty of cookies and that’s good. From the looks of Hannah’s hair, it’s going to take a while.”
Chapter Thirty-three
In less than fifteen minutes, Hannah was squeaky clean. She’d dropped her clothes in a garbage bag, and they were now agitating in Grandma Knudson’s washer.
Hannah had just dressed in the lovely underclothes that Claire had chosen for her to wear, and she was sitting in a chair in front of Claire’s dressing table while Andrea applied her makeup and Michelle blow-dried her hair.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“Relax,” Claire said. “We’re almost through. And before you even think to ask, I called and told Sally’s assistant chef that the wedding was delayed, and we wouldn’t be out there until ten-thirty. He said not to worry, that everything would hold, so you can put that right out of your mind. And I called Bob on his cell and he promised me that he’d keep the wedding service short and sweet.”
“Thank you,” Hannah said, grateful that she had such a good friend and such loving sisters. “Do you think everyone’s terribly mad at me?”
“Not at all,” Claire said. “You just gave everyone the most exciting wedding they’ve ever attended.”
Michelle laughed. “That’s right. The Lake Eden Gossip Hotline is going to have something to talk about for months to come.”
Hannah looked up at Andrea. “How about Mother? Is she terribly angry with me?”
“I’m sure she’s not,” Andrea answered. “She’s probably the center of attention at the church right now, and you know how Mother loves to be the center of . . .”
“What’s wrong?” Hannah asked her sister, who was staring out the window toward the church.
“It’s Mother. She just came out the side door of the church and she’s on her way over here.”
“Where’s my Hannah?” Delores called out, the moment she came in the back door.
“In here,” Claire called out. Then she turned to Hannah. “She certainly doesn’t sound mad. She sounds . . . like a mother who’s been worried about her daughter.”
Delores burst into the room and rushed over to Hannah. “Oh my!” she exclaimed. “You look just perfect, Hannah!”
“I had a little help,” Hannah told her, smiling at Claire and her sisters. “I’m almost ready, Mother.”
“Good! I’ll help Grandma Knudson round up everyone and get them back in the pews.” Delores took a step toward the door, but she turned back to give Hannah a kiss on the cheek. “That’s from Ross. He told me to say he loves you so much, he can’t see straight.”