“No.”

“And you weren’t texting either?”

“No.”

“Oh, good. Dad says at least half of the accidents around here are caused by people texting.”

“You don’t have to worry about me texting, Tracey. My cell phone is old and I don’t think it has that capability.”

“You have a phone that can’t text?” Tracey asked, looking shocked.

“I think so. And even if it can, I don’t know how to do it.”

“I could teach you. I know how to text.”

Now it was Hannah’s turn to be shocked. “Your parents let you text?”

“No, but I know how. I watched some of the older kids and it’s easy. You just have to know all the abbreviations like LOL and TC.”

“I know LOL is laughing out loud,” Lisa said. “What’s TC?”

“Teacher coming. That’s for if you’re texting in class.” Tracey stopped and looked a bit apprehensive. “You won’t tell Mom I know how to text, will you, Aunt Hannah?”

“Not as long as you don’t do it when you’re not supposed to.”

“Oh, good. I dodged a bullet that time, huh?”

Hannah glanced at Lisa who was biting her lip to keep from laughing. “I guess you did.”

“Anyway, can I help you and Aunt Lisa bake? Bethie’s down for a nap and Grandma McCann can’t come to pick me up for at least a half hour.”

“Of course you can help. You can be our official stirrer. Lisa and I are going to test a recipe for Treasure Chest Cookies.”

“Oh boy!” Tracey said, clearly delighted as she ran to get the extra apron that Hannah kept in a drawer for her. “I think today is my lucky day because I’ve never even heard of a Treasure Chest Cookie before!”

TREASURE CHEST COOKIES
(Lisa’s Aunt Nancy’s Babysitter’s Cookies)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

The Cookie Dough:

½ cup (1 stick, 4 ounces, ¼ pound) salted butter, room temperature

¾ cup powdered sugar (plus 1 and ½ cups more for rolling the cookies in and making the glaze)

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons milk (that’s cup)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour (pack it down when you measure it)

The “Treasure”:

Well-drained Maraschino cherries, chunks of well-drained canned pineapple, small pieces of chocolate, a walnut or pecan half, ¼ teaspoon of any fruit jam, or any small soft candy or treat that will fit inside your cookie dough balls.

The Topping:

1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar