Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #24)(46)

Hannah took a deep, steadying breath. “But you did see him again.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t until years later when I was married to Tom. I didn’t know anything about it, but several of Tom’s clients had invested in one of Ross’s independent films. It turned out to be Crisis in Cherrywood.”

“How did you get the lead in the film?” Mike asked.

“Ross called me. He apologized for fighting with me back in college and told me that he didn’t blame me for calling off our engagement.”

“But you didn’t call it off, did you?” Hannah asked her.

“No, Ross did by leaving that note saying that he thought it would be best if we didn’t see each other again.”

“What else did he say?” Mike asked her.

“He asked me if it was possible for me to let bygones be bygones and audition for the lead in his film.”

“And you said yes?” Hannah was amazed that Lynne would even have talked to Ross after what she’d been through.

“Not at first, but I told Tom and he urged me to try out for the film. He said it was important to his clients and it might be a real break for my acting career. He promised me that he’d go with me to Lake Eden and be with me the whole time. And he was.”

“Did Tom know why you and Ross broke up?” Hannah asked.

“No, not really. I told him about my black eye, but I downplayed the rest. I said we’d called off our engagement because it just hadn’t worked out.”

“Hello,” Sally said, coming up to their table. “Could I interest you in trying my newest white wine?”

Mike shook his head. “Sorry, Sally. I’m working tonight. Just coffee for me, please.”

Sally turned to Hannah and Lynne. “How about it, girls?”

“As long as it’s not a sweet wine, I’m game,” Lynne answered.

“Me too,” Hannah said. “What type of wine is it, Sally?”

“It’s a Fumé Blanc made by the Mondavi Winery. And don’t let the name put you off. It’s true that they’re known for their cheaper wines, but this one is top of the line. It has a hint of sweetness, but only a hint. And it’s as smooth as one of my Chocolate Cream Pies.”

“Chocolate Cream Pie?” Hannah was immediately interested. “I’ll be delighted to try your new wine, but please tell me more about your pie. I’ve never seen that on the menu out here.”

“That’s because it’s never been on the menu before,” Sally told her. “I’m trying it out on my customers for the first time tonight. And I knew that just mentioning it would intrigue you, Hannah. Everyone knows you love chocolate.”

“So do I,” Lynne said quickly. “Chocolate is number one on my list of favorite things.”

“Not me, can’t stand it,” Mike said, and all three women turned to look at him in shock.

“I’m joking,” he told them. “Don’t look at me like I have three ears and two heads. I love chocolate and you know it, Sally. I order your chocolate soufflé every time I come out here.”

“That’s true. And the last time you ate it I think you must have licked out the inside of the soufflé dish. It was so clean, I thought twice about putting it in the dishwasher.”

“Forget the entrée,” Hannah told her. “I’ll just pig out on dessert.”

“Not a bad idea,” Lynne echoed her sentiments.

Sally gave a little laugh. “It’s okay, girls. I’ll bring a whole Chocolate Cream Pie to your table right after you order your entrées. And I’ll join you for the chocolate fest.”

“Then you’d better bring two pies,” Mike warned her. “Four chocolate lovers and only one pie doesn’t compute.”

“Done,” Sally promised. “I hope you’ll try my new soup tonight. It was Dick’s idea and he named it Pub Soup.”

“That sounds interesting,” Hannah commented. “What’s in Pub Soup, Sally?”

“It’s a really easy recipe, just cheddar cheese, cream, garlic, and beer. But the flavors meld perfectly and it’s delicious.”

“And the beer is why it’s called Pub Soup?” Lynne guessed.

“That’s right.”

Mike looked very disappointed. “I’d love to try it, but I’m afraid I’ve got to pass. I can’t have any alcohol when I’m working.”

“Not even a quarter cup of beer? I don’t think there’s even that much in a bowl of soup, Mike.”

“Well . . . I guess that would be all right.”

“Not only that, the soup is made on the stove in a large pot. If the surface area of the soup pot is large, some of the alcohol evaporates.”

“How much?” Hannah asked. She’d often wondered about that when she used alcohol in baking.

“Twenty-two percent of the alcohol is gone in twenty minutes if the soup is heated to one hundred eighty degrees. According to the article I read, it all depends on the surface area of the pan and how long it’s cooked or baked.”

“You convinced me,” Mike said, putting on his famous grin, the grin that was so sexy, it always made Hannah feel slightly out of breath. “And I’m sure you convinced the ladies, too, especially since Lynne is staying here and I’m driving Hannah home. All Hannah has to do tonight is eat your fantastic food, drink your special wine, and get some really good, peaceful sleep.”