And that was when the white knight arrived, striding into the clerk’s office. “Let me,” Norman said, silencing Delores with a glance and taking her arm. “I’ve got this handled.”

Hannah watched in amazement as he turned to the clerk and gave her a smile. “Sorry for the trouble. They didn’t realize how the system works, but I’m here to make Miss Swensen’s bail.”

“Thank you, sir,” the clerk sounded very relieved. “Ten percent of the bail for Miss Swensen is five thousand dollars. You’ll have to put up collateral for the rest.”

“I’m prepared to do that,” Norman said. Then he opened his wallet and drew out several cashier’s checks. “I have one for five thousand dollars right here,” he told the clerk, handing it over. “And if you give me the papers, I’ll sign over my house for collateral.”

The clerk examined the check and quickly wrote out a receipt. Then she handed Norman some papers, which he signed. “You’re all set, sir. Miss Swensen may leave the courthouse.”

My hero! Hannah thought, remembering the caption from a silent movie they’d seen only a few nights ago. The handsome hero had rescued the beautiful young woman that the villain had tied to the railroad tracks. She’d called him her hero as he’d untied her and lifted her into his arms. While it was true that she wasn’t a beautiful young woman and Norman wasn’t a handsome young man, he was still her hero.

The clerk stamped the papers and then she nodded at the officer in the other room. “Miss Swensen’s bail has been met. Once you read her the restrictions and she collects her personal items, she is free to go.”

“I’ll meet you out front,” Norman said, coming up to pat her shoulder. “Do you need help with your things?”

I can manage. Just keep the motor running for a quick getaway before the judge changes his mind, Hannah thought, but she didn’t say it. Instead she said only, “I can manage. Thank you, Norman.”

“You’ve got a nice boyfriend,” the officer said as she helped Hannah collect her things. There wasn’t much. The only things she’d brought with her were her purse and the blanket that Norman had given her. Everything else was still at the sheriff’s station, and Lonnie had promised to take it to Michelle and Lisa at The Cookie Jar.

It took only a minute or two to hear the restrictions of her bail. And then she was walking out the front door of the courthouse, free at last, and Howie was there to meet her.

“Lisa sent these for you,” he said, handing her one of the distinctive bags they used for takeout cookies at the shop. “She told me to tell you they were Fresh Blackberry Cookies.”

“Thanks,” Hannah said.

“Did you turn over your passport?” Howie asked.

“I don’t have a passport. Should I have a passport?”

“Not now. You couldn’t get one now. But don’t worry about it. You weren’t going anywhere anyway, were you?”