With Andrea and Michelle helping, the dinner was served in practically no time at all. Once they were all seated and the serving dishes were on the table, everyone helped themselves family style. There were praises for the salad, the Oodles of Noodles casserole, and the Smothered Chicken.

“Smart move with the extra chicken breasts, Hannah,” Michelle said under her breath as both Mike and Lonnie helped themselves to third helpings of chicken.

“Thanks,” Hannah said in the same quiet tone of voice. During the meal, conversation had been at a minimum. The comments that were made were either praise for the food, or requests for a tablemate to pass a serving dish for another helping. When everyone put their silverware down and wore expressions of hunger satisfaction, the three sisters cleared the table, made the coffee, and carried it to the table.

“What are these?” Norman asked when Hannah brought out a plate of cookies.

“Triple Chocolate Cookies. It’s a new recipe so you have to tell me how you like it.”

“Then I’d better take an extra so that I give it a fair test,” Delores said, and since she hadn’t yet taken a bite, Hannah knew she was reacting to the fact that the cookies were chocolate.

The taste test was a huge success. Hannah knew because no one offered an opinion until they’d eaten at least three cookies. Then the comments were all superlative and she made a mental note to add the cookies to their menu at The Cookie Jar.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

“I really can’t believe this,” Delores said, after Hannah had brought more cookies and Michelle had refilled their coffee cups.

“Believe what?” Michelle asked her.

“We haven’t had to put our feet up once tonight for a Moishe and Cuddles chase.”

“Moishe’s tired, Mother,” Hannah explained. “He walked for miles this afternoon.”

“He got out?!” Delores was clearly shocked.

“No, Mother. He exercised.” Hannah turned to Michelle. “You explain.”

“I was using Hannah’s new exercise machine right before you got here. I had it turned to the treadmill setting, and Moishe hopped on right in front of me and trotted along.”

Mike’s eyes narrowed in disbelief. “You’re joking . . . right?”

“No. He really did it. I called Hannah and she came in to watch. Moishe likes walking on that treadmill. He likes it so much that he got a little perturbed at me when I shut it off.”

Mike turned to look at Hannah. “True?”

“True. I’ll use it tomorrow morning and we’ll see if he’ll get on it with me again.”

“You’re going to exercise?” Delores asked in the very same tone she would have used if she’d inquired whether her eldest daughter was truly going to the moon.