“Okay, Mike. That’s enough,” Doc Knight called out, walking up to the open window of Hannah’s truck. “I need to take Hannah and Lisa back to The Cookie Jar now.”

“But I’m not finished taking . . .”

“Yes, you are.” Doc glanced at Hannah. “Do you have dry clothes at work?”

Hannah nodded. Her teeth were chattering so hard it was difficult to speak.

“All right then. I left the heater on in my car and Lisa’s already inside. Leave your keys for Mike, hop out, and go join her. I’ll be there in just a second.” He turned to Mike. “You’ll make sure that Hannah gets her truck back when you’re through with it?”

“Yes, but I really need to . . .” Mike started to object, but Doc shook his head.

“Whatever you need to do, you can do later at The Cookie Jar when they’re dry and warm. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for two cases of pneumonia compounded by severe shock, would you?”

“Of course not, but . . .”

“Good!” Doc opened Hannah’s door and helped her out. “Come along, Hannah. You need to leave right now, doctor’s orders.”

“Oh, Hannah!” Delores gave a little cry of distress as Doc led Hannah and Lisa into the kitchen.

Here it comes, Hannah thought, taking a deep breath in preparation. Her mother was going to chew her out royally for not only finding another dead body, but actually causing his death. “I’m sorry, Mother,” she said.

“Sorry for what?”

“I promised you I wouldn’t find another dead body.”

“Don’t be silly, dear. I was talking about murder victims. I’m just so glad you’re both all right!”

“So am I, but I feel terrible about hitting that man. I was trying to avoid a branch in the road and I didn’t see him.”

Delores rushed over to give Hannah a hug in spite of her daughter’s drenched clothes and wet hair. “Just remember that it was an accident. You certainly didn’t mean to hit that man. When Doc called me he said it was raining so hard and visibility was so bad, he almost hit your truck.”

“I should have pulled over and stopped,” Hannah said, stating the obvious.

“But you couldn’t,” Lisa reminded her. “You were trying to get around the bend and under the trees so that we wouldn’t be struck by lightning.”

“This is not the time to lay blame,” Delores said, and Hannah recognized the no-nonsense, mother-knows-best tone of voice. “Hannah?” She pointed to the tiny bathroom off the kitchen. “You get straight into that shower and get warm. Then put on dry clothes and come out here.”

“But Lisa should . . .”

“I turned on the oven for Lisa. You know how much heat that puts out. All she has to do is stand in front of it while you shower and dress and then she can do the same.”

Doc walked over to give Delores a hug. “No wedding talk today, Lori. The girls are too upset.”