“I won’t, dear. I doubt lunch will take that long. Doc ordered poached salmon from the hospital kitchen and you know how I feel about salmon. I’ll probably just push it around my plate and eat two of the lime bars for dessert.”

When they’d said their goodbyes and hung up, Hannah headed back to the workstation and Norman. “Mother said Doc doesn’t know who the man was. She’s going to ask Doc if anybody else recognized him when they brought him into the hospital. She’ll call me when Doc gets back to the office after his meeting.”

“What was that about pirates?” Norman asked and then he looked a little sheepish. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help but hearing your end of the conversation.”

“That’s okay. Winnie Henderson is giving a pirate party for her grandson’s birthday and she ordered some designer cookies.”

“Cookies that look like pirates?”

Hannah shook her head. “That would be much too hard unless I had a pirate cookie cutter and Lisa frosted them. And I don’t. I think all it has to do is remind him of pirates.”

Norman drained his coffee cup and stood up. “Sorry, Hannah. I’m not going to be much help on this one. I can stay for another few minutes if you need me, but I have a noon appointment at the clinic. Rose McDermott’s coming in for an impression. She has a couple of bridges that need to be replaced.”

“Would you like to take a couple of cookies with you?” Hannah asked, noticing that he’d eaten everything she’d placed on the plate.

“No thanks. I don’t want to spoil my dinner. And that reminds me . . . would you like to go out to the Lake Eden Inn for dinner tonight?”

Hannah’s mouth watered even though she wasn’t a bit hungry. It was an instinctive thing. Sally Laughlin, the chef at the restaurant in the Lake Eden Inn, was one of the best cooks she’d ever met.

“It might do you some good to get out,” Norman said, noticing her hesitation. “How about if I bring Cuddles out to play with Moishe when I come to pick you up?”

“Great!” Hannah agreed and it wasn’t just the thought of Sally’s cuisine that prompted her decision. She had to tell Sally that Delores hated poached salmon and they’d better start thinking of other choices for the menu at the wedding reception.

“Six-thirty?” Norman asked.

“Perfect.” Hannah crossed the kitchen floor to open the door for him. “I’ll be ready and so will Moishe.”

Norman stopped, turned in the doorway and pulled Hannah into his arms. “It wasn’t your fault and no one will blame you. Remember that.”

“I’ll try,” Hannah promised as he kissed her good-bye. She always felt safe and cherished in Norman’s arms, and after he’d gone out the door, she closed it behind him and gave a contented sigh. She really ought to marry Norman. He made her feel wonderful and he was perfect for her.