Hannah should have guessed that Luanne would be too proud to accept an outright gift. But there were ways around pride and as she stared at the table, Hannah had an idea.

“Believe me, it’s not charity.” Hannah gave what she hoped was an exasperated sigh. “I promised to help Andrea clean out the garage this weekend and cart all of Tracey’s toddler things to the dump.”

Luanne looked shocked. “To the dump? You should take them to the thrift store, Hannah. I’m sure somebody would be glad to buy them secondhand.”

“I know, but this stuff has been stored for a couple of years and Andrea’s too busy to go through it. It’s easier for her to just dump it.”

Luanne looked thoughtful. “It’s a shame to think of all those things just going to waste. I could go through it for Andrea. Helping Hands always needs contributions.”

“Would you? We could just haul it out here and you could sort it out one box at a time. But you have to promise to pull out anything that you can use for Suzie. You deserve it for doing all that work.”

“I’ll be glad to do it.” Luanne sounded pleased at the prospect. “Sit down at the dressing table, Hannah.

Luanne gestured toward an old-fashioned vanity that was painted a pretty shade of blue. Its mirror was darkly spotted with signs of age, and a sampling of Pretty Girl cosmetics was arranged on the top. A battered old folding chair with a matching coat of paint sat in front of the vanity, and Luanne whisked a stuffed rabbit off the seat. Once Hannah was seated, she smiled. “You said you needed some lipstick?”

“Yes, I do.” Hannah told herself that she wasn’t really lying. She’d already decided to buy some cosmetics from Luanne. Anyone who worked this hard to make a life for her mother and daughter deserved her help.

“What color did you have in mind?” Luanne asked.

“This color.” Hannah reached into her purse and drew out the bag that contained the cup. “Do you have anything that matches this?”

Luanne stared at the cup for a moment and then she sighed. “You can’t wear that color, Hannah. It’ll clash with your hair.”

“Oh, it’s not for me,” Hannah launched into the story she’d prepared. Bill had warned her not to mention the investigation, but Hannah had thought of a way around that restriction. “My mother just loves this shade. She was helping me take out the trash the other day and she spotted this cup with the lipstick on it.”

Luanne looked relieved. “Then it’s for your mother?”

“That’s right. She told me she used to wear lipstick like this and she can’t find it anywhere in town. I thought I’d surprise her with it the next time I go over there for Carb Tuesday.”

“Carb Tuesday?”

“That’s what I call it. I have dinner with Mother every Tuesday night and she’s crazy about sweets. Last night we had Hawaiian pot roast with pineapple slices and candied yams.”