Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #4)(84)

"You'll understand what I meant once you see it. I got the idea from the animated floats they build for the Rose Parade. It's really a terrific concept."

"I'm sure it is," Hannah said, but she had to work to keep the smile on her face. If The Cookie Jar float was anything like the floats in the Rose Parade, Andrea had taken on a project that was much too difficult for a group of preschoolers and seniors to handle. It was bound to be a disaster, but it was too late to back out now and she was going to say she loved it, no matter what happened. She owed it to her sister.

Andrea reached out to squeeze her arm. "Don't look so worried, Hannah. It'll be great, you'll see. It was almost working when I left to come here."

"Great. I'm sure it'll be perfect." Hannah pushed back her chair. "The crowd's lining up out there. We'd better claim a piece of sidewalk before all the good spots are taken."

"No problem," Norman said, rising to take her arm. "Come on, everyone. Just follow me and I'll show you to your seats."

Hannah was surprised as Norman led her through the crowd. They usually stood up to watch the parade. Then she saw the row of folding chairs that had been set up near the

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curb. Their names were printed on signs hanging from the backs, and Hannah felt like an honored guest as she took the chair with her name.

"This is a great idea, Norman." Hannah smiled over at him.

"Thanks," Norman said, glancing down at his watch. "Only five minutes to go. I'd better get my camera ready."

There was flurry of activity as Lisa dispensed her disposable cameras and told everyone how to use them. She'd just finished when the vintage convertible carrying Mayor Bascomb and his wife rounded the corner. He was wearing a white straw boater with red, white, and blue ribbons around its brim, and she was dressed in a white dress with red and blue stripes. The parade had begun. The Cookie Jar float-would be next.

Hannah applauded as the boys and girls from Tracey's class marched around the corner. They were wearing sandwich boards shaped and colored like cookies, and each one was carrying a white wicker basket lined with red and blue paper napkins. As Hannah watched, they scattered into the crowd, offering the patriotic cookies that Hannah had baked and Lisa had decorated.

"They're darling," Hannah said, snapping a picture of Bertie Straub as she accepted a cookie from one of Tracey's classmates. "Whatever you do, Norman, don't miss getting a shot of Tracey."

"I won't. Andrea already cued me in. I'm supposed to catch her at the apex."

"What apex?"

"You'll see."

The applause grew in volume and Hannah turned to look as two Jordan High students rounded the corner carrying a sign that read first-place winner.

"I told you we'd win!" Lisa shouted, running over to hug Hannah. Then she rushed over to hug Andrea, and all three of them laughed in excitement.

The applause grew even louder as Mike's Jeep began to

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round the corner. The kids and seniors had draped red, white, and blue bunting on the sides. Mike looked incredibly handsome in a shirt that was printed in an American flag pattern. Hannah's breath caught in her throat for a moment and her heart raced in her chest. To think that the most handsome man ever to set foot in Lake Eden chose to date her was very close to getting everything on your Christmas list. Reluctantly, she tore her eyes away from Mike and took her first look at The Cookie Jar float.

Hannah was aware that her mouth had dropped open, but she couldn't help it. The float was a masterpiece, a giant cookie jar done in red, white, and blue. As Hannah watched, the cover flipped back and Tracey rose from the depths, her smile as wide as Eden Lake.

"Oh!" Hannah gasped, staring at her niece in awe. Tracey was wearing a Lady Liberty costume, complete with torch and crown, and she was as cute as a button. She started to wave regally at the crowd, but her enthusiasm got the best of her when she spotted Hannah.

"Hi, Aunt Hannah!" Tracey yelled out. "Do you like it?"

"I love it!" Hannah shouted back, and then Tracey began to sink slowly out of sight inside the giant cookie jar, reaching up at the last minute to close the lid behind her.

"Do you really love it?" Andrea asked, looking a bit anxious.

"It's completely stupendous, marvelous, and fantastic," Hannah assured her. "And Tracey looks just adorable. I saw Mike driving, but where's Bill?"

"Can't you tell? Bill's down in the cookie jar, lifting Tracey up and down against counterweights."

"Of course. The mechanics." Hannah grinned at her sister. "Now I understand."

"I knew he'd get the kinks worked out. Tracey's standing in a box that Bill attached to counterweights. We were going to use hydraulics, but it made too much noise."

One by one the floats passed by. Hannah didn't think any

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of them could compare to The Cookie Jar float. She applauded with everyone else as the wheelchairs from the convalescent home came into view, the spokes of their wheels decked out with red, white, and blue crepe paper. Even the walkers were decorated with streamers and stars, and Jack Herman led the seniors in his Uncle Sam costume.

"Didn't Dad look wonderful?" Lisa asked, racing back from the street where she'd taken her pictures.