Free When the Cookie Crumbles by Virginia Lowell Page A

assuming.”
    “Or maybe she was just trying to get rid of you.”
    “So cynical of you, Del. But you have a point. Did you call the Chatterleys to check on Karen’s story?”
    “I tried. I called the old number, the one from the mansion’s museum days, but it’s been disconnected. The phone company said they’ve had no new request to provide service for the mansion. So I sent Cody over to knock on the door. No one answered. He went around back, too, and looked in some windows, but there was no sign of life. I’m hoping the Chatterleys skipped town to avoid our celebration altogether.”
    “That’s what I’d do,” Olivia said. “But I also know how determined Karen can be.”
    “Either way, I’m stuck,” Del said. “I’ll have to show up at the mansion Friday morning and see what happens. IfKaren is right and the Chatterleys do allow the press to invade their privacy, I’ll hang around to keep the peace. If Karen misunderstood, I’ll have to cart her off and disperse the reporters.”
    “Sounds like a fun time,” Olivia said, laughing. “Stop by the store afterward. I’ll feed you gingerbread cookies and coffee, and you can vent.”
    “Not so fast, Livie. I am to convey a message to you from our mayor.”
    “Gee, maybe later. I think I hear Maddie calling for—”
    “You are to be at the mansion Friday morning at seven thirty sharp. Karen plans to drill us until eight, at which time she, and she alone, will knock on the mansion door. You’ve been assigned to help Karen coordinate the interviews. She said something about you being the only more or less levelheaded committee member.”
    “What she means is I’m the only committee member she thinks she can control,” Olivia said. “I’m in a mood to prove her wrong.”
    “Livie, you know that if you refuse to show up, Karen will blame me. And she is not without political influence.”
    “I think you’re tough enough to handle her. Besides, I do, in fact, have a store to run. I know Karen doesn’t take that seriously, but you should.”
    “And I do,” Del said. “I will try my very best to get you back to The Gingerbread House by opening time. Karen also instructed me to remind you to arrive in costume. I’m envisioning you as a serving wench.”
    “Thanks, but Maddie already claimed that role. We wouldn’t want too many serving wenches wandering around.”
    “Livie, there’s no such thing as too many serving wenches.”
    “Good-bye, Del.” Olivia flipped her cell shut.

Chapter Five

    After a busy, productive Thursday morning in The Gingerbread House, Olivia felt ready to tackle anything Karen decided to throw at her. During a lull, she used her burst of energy to straighten and restock shelves. Olivia had displayed three of Sadie Briggs’s embroidered aprons, all of which had sold in one morning. She hung three more aprons on an antique oak coat stand in the cookbook nook. On each, she pinned a new price tag reading “$125.00.”
    “Such lovely work,” said a familiar voice behind her.
    “Mom, you startled me.”
    “Sorry, Livie. It must be the moccasins. Bertha said you were in here.” Ellie’s attire was, for her, understated: a long, soft faux-suede skirt, in dark brown, and a light brown T-shirt that read, “Will Protest for Food.”
    Ellie chose one of the aprons, decorated with a riot of spring wildflowers, and ran her hand over the embroidery. “Sadie’s work is exquisite. These are underpriced,” shesaid, checking the tag. “Not that I could afford it, of course, but I know several well-to-do women who would snap these up at twice the price.”
    “Is this your way of telling me you aren’t leaving me millions?”
    “Livie dear, if I ever have millions, you may rest assured that I will spend them.” Ellie retrieved a piece of paper from a small pocket at the waistband of her skirt. “I can’t stay long, I just need to pick up some emergency supplies for the gingerbread houses. Maddie called and gave me a