“Yes, it’s right next to the cake on the dessert table. Norman wanted us to bring out some of the prettiest desserts early s that he could take photos, Kurt Howe was really impressed when he saw your knife. He told me to tell you that it’s gorgeous.”

“I think so, too. And Luanne is a real genius for finding it. I tell you, she goes through all those estate sale flyers with a fine-toothed comb. This one just said, ‘old silver cake knife.’ When Luanne told me she had a hunch it might be something good, I sent her down to St. Paul for the auction. And the rest is … .history!”

“How droll, my dear,” Winthrop said, chuckling appreciatively and patting Delores’s hand. Hannah knew she had to excuse herself soon or she’d say something she’d later regret.

Perhaps it was one of those unspoken mother-daughter communications, but Delores seemed to sense that her eldest daughter had reached the end of her patience, and she stepped in quickly. “I hate to speed the departing guest, but I know you’re busy, dear. I just wanted you to meet Winthrop. You’ll get to know each other much better over the holidays.”

“Right,” Hannah said, trying not to react to the hint that Winthrop would be taking part in their family celebrations. “See you later, Mother. Winthrop? Charmed, I’m sure.”

My daughter, the humorist, Hannah imagined her mother saying, as she walked away. She resisted the urge to go back and really quiz Winthrop about his intentions, and she settled for catching Andrea’s eye. Her sister was sitting with Martin and Brandi, looking about as comfortable as an overdue pregnant woman suffering from terminal boredom could look. Hannah gave a her a high sign that meant she’d relieve her in a few minutes and they’d compare notes about Winthrop. Andrea nodded, catching Hannah’s drift perfectly. They’d always been able t communicate without words, perhaps the result of living with a mother who always had to have the last word on everything.

Hannah glanced toward the kitchen doorway to see Edna gesturing for her. It was time to set out the food. She hurried into the kitchen, and moments later she was carrying out dishes according to Edna’s instructions. Once the appetizer table was ready and Norman had photographed it, Mayor Bascomb told everyone that they were welcome to dig in. the crowd converged and Hannah rejoiced in the oohs and ahhs of the admiring diners as they sampled Spinach Rollups, Busy Day Pâté, Fiesta Dip Platter, and Caviar Pie. There were dozens of appetizers on the groaning board, including Baked Brie, Bill Jessup’s Misdemeanor Mushrooms, Mrs. Knudson’s Herring Appetizer, and Seafood Bread Dip, one of the appetizer recipes Carrie Rhodes had submitted for the cookbook.

Hannah took a thin sliver of her Spinach Quiche. Since they had plenty of entrées, Edna had cut it into as many thin slices as possible and arranged them on a platter as an appetizer. Then she walked over to join her sister, who had gone up to the appetizer table with Martin and Brandi and was still sitting with them.