Lisa’s expression changed to one mixed between sadness and irritation. “He hasn’t been home before midnight for I can’t remember how long, and there’s no reason to think tonight will be any different.”

Hannah was silent. She had no comment. She wished she hadn’t asked the question. She wanted to comfort Lisa, to tell her that everything would be okay, but she wasn’t sure that would be the case. Was it better to pretend that she wasn’t as concerned as Lisa was? She knew that Herb loved Lisa. But sometimes a momentary passion superseded a steady and abiding love. It wasn’t right, but it did happen and it would be fruitless to deny it. The better choice would be to pick up on something else Lisa had told her. And that was exactly what Hannah did.

“You made chocolate caramels?” Hannah asked, driving out of the snow-covered parking lot behind the school.

“Yes. I tried my great-aunt’s recipe last night. It worked, but I want to try it one more time to make sure. Then I’ll bring some for you to taste. I sent a dozen to work with Herb this morning, and he called me at The Cookie Jar to say he really liked them. He said he gave one to Phyllis and she wanted another, but he told her he was saving them for later.” Lisa gave a little smile. “At least she didn’t get everything she wanted from him!”

“Right.” Hannah decided that the safest thing to do was to change the subject. “If your caramels work out tonight, we can make some for the Christmas gift bags. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like caramels.”

“Neither do I,” Lisa concurred. “But I shouldn’t have mentioned them, Hannah.”

“Why not?”

Lisa gave a little laugh. “Because now I’m getting hungry. And I don’t think there’s much in the refrigerator at home except the bologna and cheese for Herb’s favorite sandwiches in the morning.”

“Now that you mention it, I’m getting hungry, too,” Hannah admitted. Then she thought back to her schedule for the day and gave a wry smile. “No wonder! I was so busy, I forgot to eat lunch.”

“Me, too. We had a big lunch crowd today and I didn’t even think of it. I guess I could have had a couple of cookies, but what I really wanted was meat.”

“I know that feeling.” Hannah drove down the alley and turned into the parking lot behind The Cookie Jar. “All I can think about is a double cheeseburger with crispy fries.”

“And maybe a salad with bleu cheese dressing and some cheesy garlic bread?”

“Oh, yes!” Hannah’s mouth began to salivate, and she swallowed. “I’ve got a proposition for you, Lisa.”

“What’s that?”