Hannah watched the exchange and it made her feel good. Perhaps Andrea was becoming a little less materialistic. She certainly was becoming more maternal. Tracey had called her “Mommy,” and Andrea hadn’t objected to the label.

After Tracey had kissed everyone good night and left to go upstairs with Andrea, Delores motioned to Hannah. “Could you help me dress another salad, dear? We’re running out.”

“Sure.” Hannah followed Delores into the kitchen, but the moment they were out of earshot, she took her mother’s arm. “Spill it, Mother.”

“Spill what, dear?”

“The reason you wanted to get me alone. We weren’t running out of salad. The bowl was half full.”

“You always were the smart one.” Delores laughed. “I just wanted to know how you felt with two men competing for you.”

Hannah reared back on her heels and gave her mother a look that would wither baby grapes on the vine. “Are you crazy, Mother? Norman isn’t interested in me that way. We’re friends, but that’s as far as it goes. And Mike Kingston certainly isn’t. He’s just being polite to his new partner’s sister-in-law.”

“I don’t think so.” Delores didn’t seem at all swayed by that argument. “Norman told Carrie that you’re the first girl he’s felt comfortable with in years.”

“That’s nice, but it doesn’t spell romance. Norman’s just as comfortable around Andrea. As a matter of fact, I think he’s even more comfortable around her. They were huddled together in the living room for a long time, discussing what color Andrea should choose for her new carpet.”

“But Andrea’s married,” Delores pointed out, “and you’re not.”

Hannah couldn’t resist teasing her mother. “That’s true. Do you think that Norman would feel even more comfortable around me if I got married?”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it!” Delores sounded as outraged as she could, given the fact she had to keep her voice down.

“Sorry, Mother. It’s just that you’re always trying to push me into marriage. I’ve told you before, I’m perfectly happy being single.”

“That’ll change when you meet the right man.” Delores seemed very certain. “I think you’ve already met him and you just haven’t realized it yet. Norman’s a very good catch.”

“You make him sound like a trout.”

“It fits, dear.” Delores looked highly amused. “Norman’s swallowed the bait. Now all you have to do is reel him in.”

Hannah laughed at the mental picture that popped into her head, and Delores joined in. When they stopped laughing, Hannah gently admonished her. “If you stop trying to set me up with every man in town, we’ll get along much better. You’ve already got a grandchild and she’s perfect. And your son-in-law just solved a double homicide and got promoted to detective. Let’s just have a good time tonight and celebrate all the good things that have happened.”

“You’re right, Hannah,” Delores agreed. “But I still think both of those men are competing for you.”

There was no stopping Delores, and Hannah was almost ready to give up the fight, but not before she fired a parting shot. “If they’re competing for me, why hasn’t either one of them asked me out?”