“You were young and you had the whole world ahead of you, right?”

“Right.”

“And you dated guys your own age, or a little older, right?”

Hannah shrugged. “I would have, if they’d asked me.”

“Good enough. Anyway… there you are, surrounded by all these good-looking guys your age. Would you have fallen in love with a sick old man in a wheelchair?”

Hannah did her best to think of a scenario that would fit the situation, but she came up blank.

“I didn’t think so,” Andrea said, interpreting Hannah’s silence as assent. “Vanessa married him for his money. There’s no other explanation. Let’s just hope she shares all that cash with Shawna Lee and both of them stay put in Georgia!”

<4>

It wasn’t until the predictable eleven-thirty break that Hannah remembered Mike’s brownies. When she did, she let out a gasp that made Lisa rush to her side in alarm.

“It’s okay,” Hannah reassured her. “I just remembered Mike’s hot brownies, that’s all. I’d better call him and tell him not to eat them.”

“You mean because Shawna Lee’s leaving town and you don’t have to compete with her anymore?”

“That’s right. The green-eyed monster made me start the brownie wars, and I’m a little embarrassed.”

Lisa shrugged. “I don’t see why. Mike deserved it. Eh still deserves it. He didn’t have to suggest that you serve Shawna Lee’s brownies in here!”

“True, but I think I’d better keep the peace if I want a date for tonight.”

“There’s always that,” Lisa said with a grin, “especially since you bought a new outfit. Why don’t you call Barbara before she goes to lunch? She can snatch the brownies off Mike’s desk and toss them, and he’ll never have to know anything about it.”

“Good idea.” Hannah headed for the phone. A moment later, she had Barbara Donnelly, the head secretary at the sheriff’s station, on the line.

“Hi, Hannah.” Barbara sounded glad to hear from her. “All ready for the party tonight?”

“I’m ready. How about you? Your Irish Roast Beast’s being tested, you know.”

“I know. I’ve been on pins and needles about it all day. Did you hear about Shawna Lee?”

“I heard. Bill told Andrea and Andrea told me.”

“Some wives around here are going to be mighty relieved, that’s all I have to say. And at least she won’t be flirting with your guy anymore.”

“Which guy?”

“That’s a good one!” Barbara said with a laugh. “I forgot for a minute that you had two guys.”

“I’m not sure I’ve got either one of them, but I do need to talk to Mike.”

“He’s not here, Hannah. He came in about an hour ago, but before he could even hang up his jacket, he got a call to go out again.”

Hannah took a deep breath and asked the important question. “I put a package on his desk this morning. Do you happen to know if it’s still there?”

“Hold on a second and I’ll check.”