“So he’s a rich social climber and she’s a destitute blue blood who married him for his money?”

“You got it. I couldn’t have put it any better myself.”

“You’re going to their party, aren’t you?”

Hannah thought of her new dress and smiled. “Of course I am. I do all right, but I’m still on a jug-wine and jelly-glass budget. This is my one chance to sip Dom Pérignon out of fine crystal.”

“Do you have a date?”

“You must be kidding!” Hannah was amused. “Think about it, Norman. You saw Mother in action on Tuesday night. Would she try to set me up with every guy in town if I already had a date for the biggest party of the year?”

Norman shrugged, but he was grinning. “I guess not. Would you like to go to the party with me, Hannah? It’ll get you off the hook with your mother.”

Hannah wished she hadn’t been so flippant. Her big mouth had gotten her into trouble again. Now Norman knew she didn’t have a date and he was asking her for one. And she really didn’t know what to say.

Norman reached out and patted her hand. “Come on. It’ll be mutually beneficial. I’ll drive so you can drink all the Dom you want, and you can introduce me to all the people you think I should know.”

Hannah thought fast. There didn’t seem to be any graceful way out, and going to the Woodleys’ party with Norman might not be so terrible. He was funny, he seemed to like her, and it might make her mother back off a little.

“Okay, it’s a deal.”

Hannah drew a deep breath of relief when Norman escorted her back to the waiting room and Andrea was there. Her sister was seated on the new couch, idly flipping the pages of National Geographic.

“Hi.” Andrea gave them a guileless smile. “Did you have a nice lunch?”

“Very nice.” Norman smiled and then he turned to Hannah. “The Woodleys’ party starts at eight. Shall I pick you up at seven-thirty?”

“Seven-thirty is fine.” Hannah saw the startled look that Andrea gave her out of the corner of her eye, and she knew she’d have to do some explaining. “Do you need my address?”

“I’ve got it. It was nice to meet you, Andrea. Perhaps we’ll see you at the party?”

Andrea put on a smile for Norman’s benefit. “You will. Bill and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Goodbye, Norman. It was nice to meet you, too.”

They walked out to Hannah’s truck in total silence, and Andrea got into the passenger seat. But as soon as Hannah had slid in behind the wheel and closed the door, Andrea reached out to grab her arm. “You were just kidding around, weren’t you? I mean, you’re not actually going to the party with him!”

“Yes, I am,” Hannah confirmed it.

“But you can’t!”

Hannah started the engine, glanced behind her to make sure that no cars were coming, and pulled out into the street. “Why not?”