Cream Puff Murder (Hannah Swensen, #11)(17)

“Really?” Hannah was puzzled. “But peppermint schnapps tastes like peppermint. It doesn’t taste like chocolate…” Hannah hesitated as she realized she’d never actually tasted peppermint schnapps. “It doesn’t taste like chocolate, does it?”

“No, but it should. It would be a lot better that way.”

Hannah waited until Phil had taken the last bite. Then she whisked away the napkin and slid one of her distinctive bakery boxes in front of him.

“Is that it?” he asked her.

“Yes. Take a peek and tell me what you think.”

Phil opened the box and stared down at the giant-sized cookie inside. When he looked up he was grinning from ear to ear. “That’s perfect, Hannah!”

“Lisa and I thought so. The roses around the edge were her idea, and she wrote on the words. She said that any wife who got a cookie that said I Love You in chocolate frosting from her husband couldn’t possibly be down in the dumps.”

“I really hope Lisa’s right.” Phil gave a little sigh. “I just hate to see her this way. She used to smile and laugh all the time.”

“She’ll smile and laugh again,” Hannah said, crossing her fingers for luck. “But that cookie’s not all I have up my sleeve. I think Sue needs a break from your condo and from Kevin, so I found her a job.”

“A job?!” Phil began to frown. “But she’d never agree to go back to work. Neither one of us wants Kevin to grow up with a babysitter!”

“Oh, there’s no need for a babysitter,” Hannah said, reaching out to pat Phil’s hand. “Kevin gets to go right along when Sue goes to work.”

“You’re talking about an employee nursery like some of the big companies run?”

“Not at all. I’m talking about a teacher’s aide job at Kiddie Korner. Janice Cox needs a helper, and it’s only Monday through Friday in the afternoons. Sue would work from noon to four, and Kevin would come along to play with the other kids in Janice’s class.”

Phil leaned back and blinked. “That sounds ideal for Sue. But isn’t Kevin too young for Kiddie Korner?”

“Yes, he is. Janice would never take him as a regular student, especially for all day. But she thinks it would be good for the other kids to have a toddler around in the afternoons. It would be like a play date for Kevin, but with older children.”

Phil took another sip of his coffee. “That sounds good, Hannah. I know Sue likes Janice. They talk after church practically every Sunday. I’m sure she’d like to help Janice out, and it would be something new she could do with Kevin, something that gets her out and away from the condo.”

“Exactly. Did I mention that there’s a salary?”

“Sue gets out of the house, Kevin gets new friends, and there’s a salary?”

Hannah laughed at the utterly amazed look on Phil’s face. “That’s right. I don’t know how much the salary is, but it’s something. And whatever it is, Sue can have a little money of her own.”

“Egg money.”

“Exactly. I know you earn good money, Phil. And I know you tell Sue that it’s her money, too. I’ve heard you say it. But Sue might like to have a little something of her own to spend.”

“I can understand that. I’d feel that way if Sue had the job and I stayed home with Kevin. It would be a little strange to have to ask my wife for money to buy her a birthday present.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” Hannah gave him a big smile. “Janice told me she’ll call Sue tonight and make her a formal offer…if it’s okay with you, that is.”

“You bet it’s okay. When would Janice want Sue to start?”

“Yesterday. She’s really shorthanded all by herself. I know she’s been advertising the position, and a few people have applied, but most of them want full-time work.”

“Well, part-time is perfect for Sue.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“I’m going to do my best to talk Sue into it.” Phil got to his feet and picked up the box with Sue’s cookie. “Not that she’ll need much encouragement from me. This is just perfect for her.”

“Tell her I’ll see her down at Kiddie Korner one of these days. I promised I’d bring more cookies.”

“Okay. Thanks again, Hannah. You really ought to hang out a shingle and charge for solving problems right along with your cookies.”





MINTY MELTS

Do not preheat oven yet. Dough must chill before baking.



1? cups melted butter (3 sticks, 3/4 pound)

2? cups white (granulated) sugar

2 beaten eggs (just whip them up with a fork)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

3 drops red food coloring (or more if needed)

4 cups flour (there’s no need to sift it)



1/2 cup white sugar for later



Hannah’s Note: In the original recipe, these cookies are partially dipped in chocolate. If I don’t feel like dipping and drying all those cookies, I take a little shortcut you might want to try someday. Right before I mix the flour into the cookie dough, I add a 12-ounce (2 cups) package of miniature chocolate chips. (If they don’t have the mini-chips in your store, you can use regular and chop them up in smaller pieces with a knife or in a food processor.) Once the flour is mixed in, chill the dough and bake according to the original directions.