“That’s me. Or maybe I should say, ‘That was me.’” Sally gave a little sigh as Candy pushed through the kitchen door and held it for her.

Hannah looked up from the tray of Lovely Lemon Cookie Bars she was cutting and nodded to Sally. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be decorating for the party.”

“I would be if I had some help. But I don’t.”

“I don’t understand. You said you were going to hire three high school girls.”

“I did, and all three of them called to cancel this morning. One’s sick, one’s grounded because she got home late from her date, and the third one slipped on the ice and broke her thumb. I managed to find one girl who said she’d help out, but she can’t do it alone.”

Hannah glanced at Candy. “Do you want to help Mrs. Laughlin and this other girl decorate for the party?”

“Sure, if you can spare me. But I don’t know if I’d be any good at decorating.”

“If you can throw tinsel at a tree and make it stick, you’re good enough for me,” Sally told her.

“Okay, then.” Hannah grabbed Candy’s parka and tossed it at her. “I’ll pick you up in the lobby at five-thirty so we can drive back to the condo and get dressed. Sound good?”

Candy nodded. “Fine with me.”

Thanks, Hannah,” Sally said, and then she turned to Candy. “And thank you, Candy. My car’s parked in front and the clock’s ticking. Let’s go do it.”

“Candy? Meet Sonny.” Sally turned to the girl who was waiting in the lobby for them when they arrived at the inn. “Sonny? Meet Candy.”

“Hi, Sonny,” Candy said, giving the other girl a tentative smile. She was a little overweight and she wore a knit slacks-and-sweater outfit that was much too good for putting up decorations, but she looked friendly enough.

“Glad to meet you,” Sonny said, returning the smile.

“Sonny has the pictures,” Sally told her. “My husband hired a photographer to take photos of the decorations last year. We want it just the same, except we decided to use multicolored lights on the trees instead of white. And we want gold balls instead of silver.”

“Got it,” Sonny said, and Candy was glad. Since she hadn’t seen the pictures, she didn’t really know what Sally was talking about.

“Come with me and I’ll get you started,” Sally said, and the two girls followed her to the dining room. She flicked on the lights and gestured toward the boxes that were stacked against the back wall. “Everything you need should be in those boxes. The busboys set up the tables this morning, and all you have to do is put on the tablecloths and the centerpieces. And that reminds me…on the centerpieces, take off the silver bows and replace them with gold.”

“Where will you be if we have a question?” Sonny asked.

“In the kitchen. Just go out the door we came in and turn right. It’s at the end of the hallway behind the swinging doors.”