Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke Page A

any attention to me. And later, when I judge the pies, I might spill something on it. It’s gorgeous, Lisa. When Claire says she has something that would look great on you, she means it.”
    â€œI know. She picked out the dress I wore for the wedding. And that reminds me of Marge. Just so you won’t be surprised, Marge submitted a pie for the baked goods contest tonight.”
    â€œShe did?” Hannah was surprised. Marge baked wonderful cakes, but she wasn’t known for her pies. “What kind of pie did she bake?”
    â€œShe used one of Mom’s apple pie recipes. I couldn’t do it myself because I’m your partner and that makes me a professional baker. But Marge tasted it, and she thought it was so good she wanted to enter it.”
    â€œI can hardly wait to taste it. But Lisa…I can’t give it any special consideration just because it’s your mother’s recipe.”
    â€œI know that, and so does Marge. We just wanted to tell you that it was coming.”
    â€œThanks, Lisa.”
    â€œHerb and I are going out to the fair at six with Marge and Dad. Do you want me to take the boxes of cookies to the Cookie Nook booth?”
    â€œThat would be great.” Hannah was glad to be relieved of the task. “Then I’ll have time to stop by the hospital and bring Edna some cookies.”
    â€œI’ll pack them up for you. How many do you need?”
    â€œSix dozen assorted ought to do it.”
    Lisa’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s a lot of cookies for just one person.”
    â€œOh, it won’t be just one person. I told Doc’s secretary I’d bring cookies, and she’s probably told the nurses by now. They’ll be in and out of Edna’s room until the whole six dozen are gone. Edna’s going to get round-the-clock nursing care, even if she doesn’t need it.”

Chapter Eight   
    H annah couldn’t seem to keep the smile off her face. Michelle had taken second place in the bathing suit competition, and she was proud of her baby sister. That was enough to make anyone smile, but she had a second reason. Hannah was having a great time tasting pies. She liked them almost as much as she liked cookies.
    All in all, it had been a good day. Hannah cut off the tip of an entry, a piece of peach pie with a little vanilla custard in the filling. The crust was tender and flaky, the peaches still held their shape and weren’t overbaked, and the custard was so rich and creamy it could have gone solo and starred in its own pie.
    â€œI take it you like this one?” Pam asked, pulling Hannah out of her reverie.
    â€œYes, it’s delicious.”
    â€œWe could tell. You were practically purring when you tasted it.” Pam turned to Willa. “What do you think?”
    â€œI’m still deciding. I need another taste to be sure.” Willa ran one hand through her hair, a gesture Hannah had seen her make before when she was considering the merits of a particular entry. But instead of causing her hair to tangle, as it had in the past, Willa’s new layered haircut bounced right back into place.
    â€œHave I told you I like your new haircut?” Hannah asked.
    â€œYes. I told Bertie I wanted a new look, and this is what she came up with. I really like it, too. And it’s a good thing I do, because I’m going to be eating nothing but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the next month and a half.”
    â€œThat’s a new outfit, isn’t it?” Pam asked, turning from the sideboard, where she was cutting into the next pie, to look at Willa.
    â€œYes. Everybody down at the Cut n’ Curl said my new look wouldn’t be complete without a new outfit. I bought it this morning right after I got my hair done.”
    â€œIt’s a gorgeous dress,” Hannah said a bit enviously, “and it’s perfect for you. Claire has something like it down at Beau Monde