“Maybe, but I’m not sure. Ron went to the dentist for that cracked tooth I told you about, and that was why he was running late. I’ll get back to you the minute I know more.”

Hannah hung up the phone and then she picked it up again to punch out her mother’s number. She couldn’t put Delores off forever. As she listened to the empty ringing, she began to smile. Her mother was out and she left a brief message. “Hi, it’s Hannah. I’m just returning your call. Guess you must be out. I’ll see you later at the Regency Romance Club meeting.”

Hannah had just hung up when Lisa stuck her head around the side of the swinging door. “Your sister’s here, Hannah.”

“Send her back here with two mugs of coffee,” Hannah instructed, walking to the counter to pile a half-dozen White Chocolate Supremes on a plate. There weren’t many left and she suspected that Lisa’s new recipe had been a success. Then she sat down on a stool and wondered what new crisis had brought Andrea to The Cookie Jar for the second day in a row.

“Hi, Hannah,” Andrea greeted her. “Here’s your coffee.” She plunked down the two mugs of coffee, saw the cookies, and grabbed one before she even sat down. “These new cookies are heavenly. Everybody’s raving about them and they’re all sold out up front. Lisa gave me the last one while I was waiting for you.”

Hannah smiled. “I’m really glad they went over so well. Lisa worked a long time on the recipe.”

“They’re Lisa’s?” Andrea looked surprised. “That’s funny. She didn’t say a word about it to me.”

“She wouldn’t. Lisa’s still a little shy about her baking.”

“Well, she doesn’t have to be. These are winners.” Andrea reached for another cookie.

“What brings you in, Andrea?” Hannah mentally prepared herself for another sibling crisis. “I just got off the phone with Bill and he sounded fine. Tracey’s okay, isn’t she?”

“Tracey’s fine. Everything’s fine. I don’t have another showing until three and I just dropped in to say hello.”

Hannah raised her eyebrows. Andrea never just dropped in. “I’m busy tonight, but I can be home by eight-thirty. Is that too late to drop Tracey off?”

“Why would I want to drop Tracey off?” Andrea looked confused. “What are you talking about, Hannah?”

“You don’t need a sitter tonight?”

“No.” A dull flush rose to Andrea’s cheeks. “I’ve really been taking advantage of you, haven’t I?”

“Of course not.” Hannah shook her head. “I enjoy spending time with Tracey. She’s a great kid.”

“I know, but when I came in, you just assumed that I needed something. I’m not a very good sister, Hannah. I take and I take, but I never give back.”

Hannah was uncomfortable. This was getting altogether too serious to suit her. “Oh yeah? You urged me to open The Cookie Jar. I’d call that giving back in spades.”

“You’re right. I did suggest it.” Andrea looked pleased for a moment. “But I really should do more for you, Hannah. You help me out all the time and I never know how to return the favor. If you’d just ask me for something, I’d do it.”