Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke Page B

“No way she’s stuck. She just got a brand-new SUV with enough power to go through a lot more snow than what we’ve had today.”
    â€œI forgot about that. A big piece or an even bigger piece, Ed? It’s made with butter from Lake Eden cows. Well, maybe she changed her mind and she’s not coming.”
    â€œYou think?” Hannah felt a surge of hope.
    â€œNot really. She loves the chance to impress people and there are a lot of people here. Let me put that in a parfait glass, Eleanor. It’s so pretty that way. I thought for sure she’d show. Do you think I ought to try to call the bakery and ask her if she’s coming?”
    Hannah thought that over and then she shrugged. “It can’t hurt. Maybe she’s tied up or something.”
    Sally gave Hannah a sharp look as she spooned caramel sauce on top of a serving of custard. “ Whipped cream on that, Joyce? I didn’t think so. I thought I remembered you liked it plain. Mike’s not here yet, either. And didn’t you say he asked you to save the first dance for him?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo you think they might be together?”
    â€œYour guess is as good as mine,” Hannah said, visions of Shawna Lee and Mike in a clinch to end all clinches dancing on the screen of her mind.
    â€œ You don’t have to choose, Barbara. You can have a little of each. Just as soon as this line ends, I can call the bakery.”
    â€œWhat good will that do?”
    â€œIf she answers, I’ll listen for the sound of someone else in the background. You know…like breathing or coughing, or anything like that. Do you want to know? Or would you rather not know?”
    â€œI want to know if you don’t hear anyone in the background, but don’t tell me if you do.”
    â€œGot it.” Sally waved over a waitress to take her place. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”
    As Sally headed off to the phone in the kitchen, Hannah was already regretting her words. She really didn’t want to know if Mike was with Shawna Lee, at least not right now. And she’d set herself up without realizing it. If Sally came back and said nothing, it would mean she’d heard someone in the background. Why hadn’t she instructed Sally not to tell her, either way? That would have been the smart thing to do.
    â€œYour truck’s parked in the lot,” Andrea said, arriving at the cake station without Hannah noticing her.
    â€œAndrea!” Hannah gasped, jumping slightly and feeling a bit foolish for doing so. “You startled me.”
    â€œSorry. Here’s your key ring. The limo driver thought your heater was broken, but I told him it was always like that. What’s the matter? You look like you just lost your best friend.”
    â€œI may have. At least one of them.”
    â€œMike?” Andrea asked, proving that as the consummate wedding consultant, she knew precisely which guests had not arrived. When Hannah nodded, she reached out and patted her hand. “I noticed that, and she’s missing, too. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re together. Don’t forget that Mike had to work. If there was an emergency, they might have asked him to stay on longer at the station.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œWell, that could be it.”
    â€œAbsolutely. And since he’s right near the phone and he knew I’d be disappointed when he didn’t show up for the dance he asked me to save for him, he called out here and told me he’d be late.”
    â€œHe did?” Andrea asked, starting to smile. “Well, that’s okay then!”
    â€œI was being sarcastic. He didn’t call. And it’s not okay.”
    â€œWell…try to lighten up a little. This is a wedding and everybody’s supposed to act like they’re having a good time, whether they are or not.”
    As Andrea walked away, Hannah thought about what her sister