“Let’s figure out how much candy the bags will hold and draw up a schedule of what to make when. And after we’re through, we can go out to the Corner Tavern for salads, garlic bread, cheeseburgers, and fries.”

“And maybe some of their Chocolate Coffee Cake for dessert?”

“Why not!”

Lisa began to smile from ear to ear. “That sounds really good to me, Hannah!”

As Hannah parked, Lisa grabbed the box with the Christmas gift bags for the children, and then she opened the passenger door.

“You’re in a hurry?” Hannah asked.

“Yes! Come on, Hannah. I’m so hungry, my stomach is growling just thinking about the fries and onion rings at the Corner Tavern. And the sooner we get started, the sooner we can drive out there and eat!”

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

The bar at the Corner Tavern was crowded, but Hannah found a spot near one end. She ordered a soda water with a wedge of lime and sat there waiting for Lisa to arrive. Lisa had stopped at home to feed her dogs, Dillon and Sammy, and let them out to run in the backyard for a few minutes. Hannah had driven out ahead of her to wait for a table for the two of them in the dining room.

The scent of good beef was in the air, and Hannah smiled as she thought of a hot, fresh cheeseburger and crispy golden French fries. The Corner Tavern was a mecca for hamburger and steak lovers. As a nod to their patrons who were cutting down on red meat, they had a vegetarian entrée on their menu, and several fish dishes. The owner’s wife, Nona Prentiss, had told Hannah that only two out of a hundred customers ordered a non-beef entrée, and Hannah believed it. As far as she was concerned, the Corner Tavern had the best beef of any restaurant in the area, perhaps even in the whole state of Minnesota. The reason most people went out there to eat was to get succulent beef, expertly cooked, and plenty of it.

“So, Hannah! How’s it going?” a voice called out, and Hannah spotted Bonnie Surma sitting at the bar.

“Everything’s fine, Bonnie,” Hannah responded. Just then, the man next to Hannah got up to follow one of the waitresses to a table, and Bonnie moved over to sit down on the stool the man had just vacated.

“Can I buy the best baker in Lake Eden a drink?” Bonnie asked, smiling at Hannah.

“Thanks, but I’m just having soda water. Are you meeting someone, Bonnie?”

“Yes, Trudi Schumann. We’re going to get a table in the back, as far away from the actors as we can get.”

Hannah thought fast. There was only one group of actors in Lake Eden. “Are you talking about the Lake Eden Players?”