Hannah turned to look at Lisa in shock. Christmas was a very busy season for them. They’d been discussing it over their first cup of coffee this morning, attempting to come up with a schedule that would let them have a little more time off to enjoy the holidays with their friends and families. And now Lisa had volunteered both of them for more work! The play was being performed three times, and the concession stand would be open before the performance, and during the first and second intermissions. They’d have to be there early to set up, wait on customers as they filed in, handle the intermissions, and clean up after the performances.

Why had Lisa done this? For a brief moment Hannah was puzzled, but then she understood the reason why Lisa had taken on this extra work. Now that Phyllis Bates had been cast as this year’s Mrs. Claus, Lisa wanted to be there to keep an eye on Herb. Herb and Phyllis would appear on stage together every night after the final curtain had fallen. They’d greet the children who were attending the performance, give them treat bags, and share a hug before they walked off-stage. Lisa wanted to be right there to judge her husband’s reaction to that very public hug. But Lisa had never been the jealous type of wife. Why was she so worried about Herb and Phyllis now? Hannah couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else wrong between Herb and Lisa, something that Lisa wasn’t telling her.

“Just what we need!” Hannah muttered under her breath, but she managed to maintain her pleasant expression as she turned to her mother. “Do you know how much candy the Lake Eden Players sold at their performance last year?”

“I don’t have a dollar amount, but I do know that all our local charities were extremely grateful for their donations.”

“Could you get us a copy of last year’s order from the candy company?” Lisa asked, clearly realizing why Hannah wanted that information. “We need to know the quantities to be certain that we make enough.”

“Of course you need to know the quantity. I should have thought of that. I’ll run over to Tory Bascomb’s temporary office and ask her.” Delores paused to take a bite of her cookie. “And by the way, dears . . . these cookies are fantastic. I love the fact that they have chocolate chips inside.”

“I’ll tell Andrea you said so,” Hannah promised. “More coffee, Mother?”

“No, dear. I really must go.” Delores got up from her stool. “I have a million things to do today. Have fun baking, dears. And be sure to save samples of any new cookies you try. I love to test new cookies for you.”

Hannah waited until the back kitchen door had closed behind her mother, and then she turned to Lisa. “Okay, Lisa . . . give!”

“Give what?”