Free Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke Page A

the Jell-O plopped cooperatively onto its platter. “There’s one more salad, isn’t there?”
    “Just a big bowl of greens tossed with Claire’s French Dressing. I’m going to put a couple of Ellie’s Dilly Onion Rings on the top and leave the rest in a bowl for those that want them.”
    “How about Reverend Knudson’s Quick Pickle Salad?”
    Edna thumped her forehead with the heel of her hand. “Bless you, Hannah. The Reverend’s too nice to say anything, but no the rest of the congregation. I’d never hear the end of it if I forgot to put those out!”
    “Okay, Norman.” Hannah gave him the high sign as she placed the last dish on the table.
    “It looks great, Hannah. Kurt wants to know when you’re going to get a chance to eat.”
    “Soon, I hope.” Hannah glanced over at the table where Kurt was sitting and saw that he had a fully laden plate. “I see he’s sampling some of the dishes.”
    “He’s had a bite of everything so far, I think.” Norman moved into a better position for a shot of Andrea’s Jell-O molds. “Just let me get a couple of overviews of the table, and then you can cue in Mayor Bascomb.”
    Once Norman had taken his last few shots and stepped back from the table, Hannah waved at the mayor, who wasted no time inviting people to sample the next course. The diners converged, and within a few seconds people were filling their plates and soup bowls. Hannah noticed that Norman was taking shots of the line that had formed, and when he’d finished that, he moved to the tables and took shots of the Lake Eden citizens, who were clearly enjoying their dinner.
    Hannah held her breath as Norman approached Martin and Brandi’s table. She hoped he’d brought plenty of film, because there was no way a photographer could resist snapping multiple shots of a woman who was that photogenic. Come to think about it, any man, with or without a camera, would have lingered as long as humanly possible to bask in the light of a beauty like Brandi.
    But Norman only snapped one picture and moved on, surprising Hannah so much, she gasped out loud.
    “Are you all right?”
    “Fine,” Hannah said, whirling around as she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Michelle!”
    A smile spread over Hannah’s face and she stepped forward to hug her baby sister. A sophomore at Macalester College in St. Paul, Michelle wasn’t exactly a baby anymore, but she was Hannah’s younger sister. “What are you doing here?”
    “I just came for the food,” Michelle quipped, hugging Hannah right back. “Don’t worry, Big Sis, I didn’t cut any classes. I hopped a bus this afternoon and Lonnie picked me up at the Quick Stop.”
    Hannah glanced around and spotted Lonnie Murphy talking to his brother and sister-in-law several tables away. Even though the youngest sheriff’s deputy was carrying on a conversation, he kept glancing over at Michelle.
    “Is that him?” Michelle asked.
    “Is who what?” Hannah asked, not caring that they’d just broken at least two cardinal rules of grammar.
    “Winthrop Harrington II. Over there with Mother.”
    “That’s Winthrop.”
    “He looks pretty buff for a guy in his sixties.”
    “Late forties. He’s younger than Mother.”
    ”She didn’t mention that.” Michelle frowned slightly at this news. “Have you met him yet?”
    “Just a few minutes ago. When you get a second, go over and introduce yourself. I want to get your take on him.”
    “Will do. I’ve got to meet the man who’s responsible for Mother’s shoes.”
    “I just noticed them. They’re really sexy sandals with thin little straps and high heels, the kind that just kill your feet. Only a woman on the make wears shoes like that.”
    “On the make?” Hannah asked, feeling a little like a parrot as she repeated Michelle’s words again.
    “You know . . . a woman who’s trying to attract a guy. It’s pretty obvious Mother’s trying to attract Winthrop. And from where I’m sitting, it seems to be