Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1)(19)

“Pretty Girl theatrical foundation will cover anything from a bad bruise to a zit.” Luanne sounded proud of her products. “But you don’t need it, Hannah. Your skin is perfect. You must use just the right combination of moisturizer and night cream. If I were you, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Hannah stifled a grin. She wasn’t planning to change anything, especially since she’d never used a moisturizer or a night cream in her life. She washed her face with whatever soap was on sale at the Red Owl and never thought twice about it.

“Just lean back and relax, Hannah,” Luanne said in a professional voice. “By the time I get through with you, you’ll look better than you’ve ever looked before in your life.”





Chapter Six




When Hannah walked into the community center, the first person she saw was her mother. Delores Swensen was holding court at the far end of the room, surrounded by a circle of her friends. As Hannah watched, her mother reached up to pat her sleek dark hair and her tasteful diamond earrings glittered in the overhead lights. She was wearing the soft blue dress that had been in the window of Beau Monde Fashions and her purse and shoes matched perfectly. Hannah’s mother was still a beautiful woman and she knew it. At fifty-three, Delores was winning the battle against time and only Hannah, who’d helped her mother with her finances for several months following her father’s death, knew exactly how expensive that battle was. Fortunately, Delores had the money to spend. Hannah’s father had left Delores in very good financial shape and she’d also inherited from her parents. There was no way that Delores could run out of money, even if she resorted to costly tummy tucks and face-lifts.

Hannah sighed as made her way through the crowd. With the exception of her hair color, Andrea resembled Delores. And Michelle was another petite beauty. Both of her younger sisters had inherited their mother’s beauty genes. Hannah was the only one in the family to take after her father. She was cursed with his curly, unmanageable red hair and she was at least four inches taller than her sisters. When strangers saw Delores with her daughters, they assumed that Hannah was adopted.

Delores was laughing at something that one of her friends had said. Hannah waited until the group of ladies had disbanded and then she walked over to tap Delores on the shoulder. “Hi, Mother.”

“Hannah?” Delores turned to face her. Her eyes widened, her mouth opened in a round O of shock, and she dropped her purse to grab Hannah’s hand.

“What is it?” Hannah began to frown.

“I don’t believe it, Hannah! You’re actually wearing makeup!”

Hannah was puzzled by her mother’s reaction. She’d decided to wear the results of Luanne’s makeover to the fundraiser, but if she’d known that Delores would react with such gaping-mouthed astonishment, she would have stopped at The Cookie Jar and washed her face. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s such a change. I don’t know what to say.”

“I can see that.” Hannah bent over to pick up her mother’s purse. “I guess I should have washed it off before I got here.”

“No! It actually looks good. You surprise me, Hannah. I had no idea you even knew what eyeliner was.”

“I must have hidden depths.” Hannah grinned at her mother. “Tell me the truth, Mother. Do you really think it’s an improvement?”

“It certainly is! Now, if I could only convince you to dress better, you might actually…” Delores stopped speaking and her eyes narrowed. “I know you hate makeup and there’s only one reason you’d go to all this trouble. Tell me, dear. Did you do this for Norman Rhodes?”

“Norman had nothing to do with it. I drove out to see Luanne Hanks and while I was there, she gave me a makeover.”

“Oh.” Delores looked disappointed. “Well, I think it looks very nice on you. If you’d put on makeup and get all dressed up more often, it might make a real difference in your life.”

Hannah shrugged and decided to change the subject before her mother went into one of her lectures. “Have you seen Andrea? I really need to talk to her.”

“She’s here somewhere. I saw her over by the refreshment table a few minutes ago.”

“I’d better go and find her.” Hannah prepared to make her escape. “See you later, Mother.”

Hannah searched the crowd, but she didn’t see Andrea. She decided she’d look for her sister later and headed off toward the refreshment table, which was set up on the side of the room. She was shirking her duties and Lisa would probably be eager to get home to her father.

“Hi, Hannah. “Lisa smiled as Hannah came up to the table. “Everyone loves your cookies. Mrs. Beeseman’s been back four times.”

“That figures. She loves anything with chocolate. You’ve done a wonderful job, Lisa. If you want to leave now, I can take over.”

“I don’t have to leave, Hannah. My neighbor said he’d sit with Dad until I got home. Besides, I’m really having fun.”

Hannah had trouble believing what she’d heard. “You think serving coffee and cookies at a political fundraiser is fun?

“It’s great. Everybody’s coming over to talk to me and they’re really friendly. Go ahead and circulate, Hannah. You might be able to drum up some new business.”