Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1)(50)

“I see. Well, let’s go over and say hello.”

Lisa and Herb had staked out a four-person table, and Hannah and Norman joined them for a moment. The two men immediately started talking about the traffic problem on Main Street, and Hannah turned to Lisa. “You look wonderful, Lisa. Are you having a good time?”

Lisa smiled, and Hannah noticed that her eyes were sparkling with excitement. “I saw your mother and Mrs. Rhodes. They asked if I’d seen you.”

“If they ask again, lie.”

Lisa laughed. “You can’t avoid them forever. Mrs. Rhodes told me that she wants to take pictures of you and Norman for a memento.”

“I know. That’s one of the reasons I’m avoiding them.”

“Grin and bear it.” Lisa leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Doesn’t Herb look handsome in his suit?”

Hannah glanced over at Herb. He was wearing a black suit with a Western cut and it reminded her of something Marshal Dillon might have worn at a fancy wedding on Gunsmoke. It fit so perfectly, Herb could have been one of the mannequins in the display window of an old-fashioned men’s clothing store. It was quite a change from the rumpled tan uniform that he usually wore. “He certainly does.”

Just then a tall figure in another impeccably cut suit caught her eye and Hannah’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t believe it! There’s Benton Woodley!”

“The Woodleys’ son?”

“Yes. I thought the heir apparent was still back east, trying to buy his degree at some Ivy League school.”

Lisa stared at Hannah curiously. “You sound like you don’t like him very much.”

“I don’t. Or at least, I didn’t.” Hannah sighed deeply as she remembered the buckets of tears that Andrea had shed when Benton had dumped her. “Andrea used to date him when she was in high school. I wonder if she knows that he came back for the party.”

“Maybe you should tell her. I know that she’s married now, but it’s always uncomfortable to run into an old boyfriend.”

“Good idea. Have you seen her tonight?”

“She was over by the buffet tables a couple of minutes ago.”

“Thanks, Lisa. I’ll see you later.” Hannah stood up and waited for a break in the conversation. When it arrived, she tapped Norman on the arm. “I have to find Andrea. Would you like to come with me?”

“Sure.”

Norman said goodbye to Herb and Lisa and they started across the room. They were just crossing the space that would be used for dancing, when Hannah heard someone call her name.

Hannah stopped in her tracks and turned toward the warm and friendly voice. It was Benton Woodley and he was smiling at her.

“Who’s that?” Norman glanced at Benton and then he turned to regard her curiously. “An old boyfriend?”

“Yes, but not mine. Come on, Norman. I’ll introduce you.”

It only took a moment to perform the introductions. As Benton chatted with Norman, Hannah wondered if he’d gone to the same charm school as his mother. He was polite, he seemed interested in hearing about Norman’s practice, and he told her that she looked ravishing. The spoiled, know-it-all rich kid had grown up to be the perfect host.

“I’m glad to hear that you’ve reopened your father’s practice, Norman. One never knows when one will need dental work.” Benton sounded sincere and Hannah had the urge to laugh. She was willing to bet that if Benton ever needed dental work, he’d fly off to the fanciest, most expensive dentist in the country. “And how are you, Hannah?”

Hannah smiled her best party smile. “Just fine, Benton. I haven’t seen you for years. Are you just here for the occasion?”

“No, Father’s been a bit under the weather.” Benton lowered his voice and moved a step closer. “I’ve come back to help him run the business.”

Hannah remembered the dark circles under Del’s eyes. Perhaps Benton was telling the truth. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“No, it’s just that he’s been working too hard. Now that I’ve moved back home to lend a hand, he should be fine.”

“You’re staying here?” Hannah was surprised. She seemed to remember that Benton had hated Lake Eden when he’d lived here.

“For a while. And it’s wonderful to be back. I’ve always liked the ambience here, such a friendly, small-town feel. And that reminds me, I ran into Andrea and her husband a few moments ago and she mentioned that you’d opened a business. It sounds like such a quaint little shop. I’ll have to make a point of dropping in soon.”

Hannah bristled. Her business was a business, not a “quaint little shop.” The tone in Benton’s voice suggested that it was something a socialite might do as a hobby. Hannah opened her mouth to tell him that she’d worked very hard to make The Cookie Jar profitable, but she remembered about tact just in time. “It’s been nice chatting with you, Benton, but we have to rush off to find Mother.”

Norman waited until they were several feet away. “You want to find your mother?”

“Of course not. I just wanted to get away from Benton before I wrung his neck.”

Norman grinned. “‘A quaint little shop’?”

“You got it.” Hannah was impressed. For a dentist, Norman was quick. “Let’s go find Andrea. I really need to talk to her.”