Free Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

She’d always associated that leather desk chair with her father. Then she thought of her condo and how it was already full to the brim with other things that Delores had given her. “I don’t think so, Mother. I’d like it, but I don’t have anywhere to put it.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought. I’ll ask Andrea and Michelle, but I don’t think they’ll want it, either. And I really hate to just…toss it.”
    â€œI don’t want you to just toss it, either. Do you think it’d help if we found it a good home?”
    Delores thought about that for a moment. “I think it would. Do you have any prospects in mind?”
    â€œNot really, but I’ll think about it and…Norman!”
    â€œNorman?”
    â€œHe might want it. His new house has an office, and as far as I know, he doesn’t have any furniture.”
    â€œOh, that would be perfect!” Delores looked delighted. “I’d like to give it to Norman.”
    â€œEven if I don’t end up marrying him?” Hannah couldn’t help asking.
    â€œEven if you don’t. When can you ask him if he wants it?”
    â€œI’ll ask him tonight. He’s waiting for me at my condo. I’m going to help him pick out a dishwasher.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful, dear.”
    Delores gave another smile that rang alarm bells in Hannah’s mind. Her mother seemed much too pleased about the fact that she was helping Norman pick out kitchen appliances. “It’s just a dishwasher, Mother. It’s not any more than that.”
    â€œThat’s all right, dear. Good marriages aren’t made overnight. Your father and I dated for several years before we married.”
    Hannah bit her tongue. Sometimes it was better not to say anything.
    â€œIs that for me, dear?” Delores asked, glancing at the foil-wrapped package Hannah still held in her arms.
    â€œYes. It’s the chocolate cherry coffeecake that took third place at the baked goods competition tonight.”
    â€œIt sounds marvelous! I’ll have some when I take my next break. And that reminds me…you don’t have anyone staying in your guest room, do you?”
    â€œNo.” Hannah readied herself for a major imposition. Her mother had mentioned something about a cousin three times removed who’d wanted to visit Lake Eden.
    â€œOh, good. Would you mind terribly if Michelle stayed with you?”
    â€œYou mean…our Michelle?”
    â€œYes. It’s just that I’m so busy right now. I really don’t have much time to spend with her, and poor Michelle must be lonely with only the television for company. I thought it might be more fun for her if she…”
    â€œThat’s fine, Mother,” Hannah agreed, before Delores could continue. “I’d love to have Michelle stay with me.”
    â€œWonderful! Go out there right now and have her pack up her things. Tell her she can use my car for the week. Then she’ll have her own transportation, and you won’t have to drive her around.”
    â€œBut won’t you need your car?”
    â€œNo. The only place I’m going is out to the fair, and I can ride with Carrie. We signed up for the same hours at the booth.”
    â€œAll right, Mother.”
    â€œTell her to come in and say goodbye before she leaves. I’d come out, but I still have several more pages to write before I’m through, and then I need to get some sleep. I’m burning the candle at both ends to get everything done.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll tell her.” Hannah stood up, but before she could take a step, her mother stopped her.
    â€œIt’s not that I don’t want her, dear. Make that clear, will you? It’s just that with working at Granny’s Attic and supervising the booth at the fair, I don’t have time to get things done around here. And that reminds me…you are going to be at the Historical