“Sorry. I was just thinking about something. I’d love some pork chow mein, Norman. It’s my favorite. I’ll get us some plates and silverware while you call Mike and tell him what you know.”

Fifteen minutes later, Hannah was stuffed beyond belief. “I’m sorry, Norman. I can’t eat anymore,” she said, looking down at her half-finished plate. “It’s really delicious and I want to eat more, but I think I’m going to burst if I do.”

“We don’t want that,” Norman said, chuckling. “Just sit here and keep me company, Hannah. You don’t have to eat. If I know Winnie, she fed you half to death.”

“I think the Graham Cracker Cake finished me off.”

“I’ve had that!”

“You have?”

“Winnie gave us lunch when Doc Hagaman and I went out to take care of Tina’s tooth.”

“Tina?” Hannah was confused. As far as she knew, Winnie didn’t have any grandchildren named Tina. And even if she did, why would he go out to the ranch with Norman?

“Tina is Winnie’s prize milk cow. Dr. Bob tranquilized her and I pulled her tooth. It was an interesting experience. I’d never worked on a cow before.”

Hannah laughed. “That’s Lake Eden for you. So far you’ve treated Mr. Whiskers, the guinea pig at Kiddie Korner, and Tina, Winnie’s milk cow. What’s next? False teeth for sharks?”

“I wonder if that’s possible,” Norman said, and Hannah began to laugh. Norman joined in until they heard someone come through the swinging door from the coffee shop.

“What’s so funny?” Lisa asked, smiling at them.

“False teeth for sharks,” Hannah answered, and the perplexed expression on Lisa’s face sent them both into another paroxysm of laughter.

“It’s not false teeth. It’s dentures, or appliances,” Norman corrected Hannah. “You have to learn to use the correct dental term.”

“Appliances?” Lisa looked thoroughly puzzled. “You mean like refrigerators? And washers?”

“No, like false teeth or bridges.” Norman could barely speak, he was laughing so hard. “That’s what dentists call them. I know that it sounds a little weird when you put it that way, but that’s what we call them.”

“Okay,” Hannah said, “It’s a different terminology. What do you call that little rubber sheet you put over the tooth in a patient’s mouth when you work on it?”

“It’s a dam.”

“It’s a dam nuisance,” Lisa said. “I hate those little rubber sheets.” And then all three of them cracked up again.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES