“Sure.”

Norman said goodbye to Herb and Lisa and they started across the room. They were just crossing the space that would be used for dancing, when Hannah heard someone call her name.

Hannah stopped in her tracks and turned toward the warm and friendly voice. It was Benton Woodley and he was smiling at her.

“Who’s that?” Norman glanced at Benton and then he turned to regard her curiously. “An old boyfriend?”

“Yes, but not mine. Come on, Norman. I’ll introduce you.”

It only took a moment to perform the introductions. As Benton chatted with Norman, Hannah wondered if he’d gone to the same charm school as his mother. He was polite, he seemed interested in hearing about Norman’s practice, and he told her that she looked ravishing. The spoiled, know-it-all rich kid had grown up to be the perfect host.

“I’m glad to hear that you’ve reopened your father’s practice, Norman. One never knows when one will need dental work.” Benton sounded sincere and Hannah had the urge to laugh. She was willing to bet that if Benton ever needed dental work, he’d fly off to the fanciest, most expensive dentist in the country. “And how are you, Hannah?”

Hannah smiled her best party smile. “Just fine, Benton. I haven’t seen you for years. Are you just here for the occasion?”

“No, Father’s been a bit under the weather.” Benton lowered his voice and moved a step closer. “I’ve come back to help him run the business.”

Hannah remembered the dark circles under Del’s eyes. Perhaps Benton was telling the truth. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“No, it’s just that he’s been working too hard. Now that I’ve moved back home to lend a hand, he should be fine.”

“You’re staying here?” Hannah was surprised. She seemed to remember that Benton had hated Lake Eden when he’d lived here.

“For a while. And it’s wonderful to be back. I’ve always liked the ambience here, such a friendly, small-town feel. And that reminds me, I ran into Andrea and her husband a few moments ago and she mentioned that you’d opened a business. It sounds like such a quaint little shop. I’ll have to make a point of dropping in soon.”

Hannah bristled. Her business was a business, not a “quaint little shop.” The tone in Benton’s voice suggested that it was something a socialite might do as a hobby. Hannah opened her mouth to tell him that she’d worked very hard to make The Cookie Jar profitable, but she remembered about tact just in time. “It’s been nice chatting with you, Benton, but we have to rush off to find Mother.”

Norman waited until they were several feet away. “You want to find your mother?”

“Of course not. I just wanted to get away from Benton before I wrung his neck.”

Norman grinned. “‘A quaint little shop’?”

“You got it.” Hannah was impressed. For a dentist, Norman was quick. “Let’s go find Andrea. I really need to talk to her.”