by Joanne Fluke
“And that means you can’t go home again.”
Hannah turned to look at him over her shoulder. “That’s right. I can’t leave Moishe at your house. He belongs with me. And maybe I’m anthropomorphizing, but I know he’d miss me.”
“You’re not anthropomorphizing. I’m convinced that Moishe would miss you if you went back to the condo without him. Actually . . . so would I, Hannah.”
“And I’d miss you,” Hannah said quickly, hearing the regret in Norman’s voice. “It’s just that it’s the first place I’ve ever owned and I . . . I love it. I’m visiting at your house. And even though you keep reminding me that we designed it together, it’s never felt like my home.”
“Let me see if I can figure out a way to make Moishe more comfortable with your place,” Norman suggested. “Do you know if it’s the whole condo, Hannah?”
“I’m not sure. I can’t get him up the stairs to find out! Mother and Doc had the whole place redone, and Michelle told me that the workmen are almost finished. It doesn’t look the same as it did when . . . you know.”
“I know. Have you been back since the time that Lonnie was the murder suspect?”
Hannah shook her head. “No, I’ve either been at Mother and Doc’s or at your place.”
“Are you anxious about coming back here tonight?”
Hannah climbed up a few more stairs while she thought about Norman’s question. “I don’t think so. I’m almost certain that I could handle coming back, but there’s Moishe to consider. There’s no way I’ll leave him behind.”
“Of course not! That’s one of the things I love most about you, Hannah. You’re loyal.”
Hannah gave a little laugh. “Sometimes I’m loyal to a fault. I won’t go home because my cat won’t go home. How silly is that?”
“It’s not silly at all. Give me a little time to think about this, Hannah. Maybe there’s a solution.”
“But if you found a solution, I’d move back. Is that what you want?”
“No, but your happiness is more important to me than my own happiness.”
That’s because he loves you so much, Hannah’s rational mind told her.
What a dumb thing to say! Her suspicious mind entered the internal conversation. Tell her something she doesn’t know, like she doesn’t know what love is because she’s never actually been in love.
How about Ross? her rational mind argued.
That wasn’t love. That was infatuation!
Hannah’s rational mind was silent. There was no arguing with something that was true.
“Hannah?” Norman reached out to touch her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Oh! Yes, I’m okay. I was just thinking about something.” Hannah hurried up the rest of the stairs and arrived at her threshold slightly breathless.
It felt strange to ring her own doorbell and even stranger when Michelle opened the door and invited them in. A few moments later, Hannah was seated on the new couches Delores and Doc had provided. Hannah had a glass of white wine, and Michelle had brought Norman’s favorite ginger ale.
“Mike and Lonnie should be here any minute,” Michelle told them. “Dinner’s ready now, but I’ll give Lonnie and Mike something to drink before we eat.”
Hannah glanced over her shoulder at the dining room table. It was set with her dishes and wineglasses. Dinner smelled wonderful and Michelle was a gracious hostess, but Hannah couldn’t shake the strange feeling of being a guest in her own condo.
“I refrigerated the pies,” Michelle told her. “The bar cookies are okay on the kitchen counter, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they’ll be fine. I know I brought the pies for dessert at the table, but we can have the cookies later with coffee.”
“Perfect,” Michelle said, giving a little nod. “You think of everything, Hannah.”
Not everything, Hannah’s rational mind contradicted. Hannah hasn’t figured out how to get Moishe back in the condo yet.
You always take Hannah’s thoughts too literally, the suspicious part of Hannah’s mind argued.
Someone has to be literal around here, Hannah’s rational brain retorted. You’re just being picky! Again!
“Thank you, Michelle,” Hannah said aloud, ignoring her mind’s internal conflict. “I forgot the pie server I was going to bring.”
“That’s okay,” Michelle told her. “You have one here. I found it in the back of the silverware drawer.”
“So that’s where I put it! It’s the third pie server I’ve lost since I moved in here.”
“I’m glad you told me. I’ll look for the other two the next time I clean out the drawers,” Michelle promised. “Don’t worry, Hannah. I’m putting everything back exactly where it was.”
“I wasn’t worried. Put things where you want them, Michelle. You’re living here now.”
“Temporarily,” Michelle said quickly. “It’s just until you come back, Hannah. And they’re almost finished with the redecorating. There’s one thing I think you’re going to love, but I promised Mother and Doc that I would let you see it for yourself.”
Hannah exchanged glances with Norman. She wasn’t sure she really wanted any changes, but perhaps she’d like them.
“Who did you interview today?” Michelle asked. “Don’t tell me about the interview itself, because then you’ll have to repeat it for Mike and Lonnie, I just want to know who you talked to first.”
“Andrea and I talked to Stephanie at noon. Mother invited her over for lunch, and Stephanie asked us to be there.”
“Well, that’s good. Who else did you interview?”
“Grandma Knudson and Claire. They were there when Andrea and I got back to The Cookie Jar. Lisa told me that Grandma Knudson and Claire wanted to talk to us.”
“That must have been interesting!” Michelle held up her hand. “I’m dying to hear about it, but don’t tell me now. It’s almost time for . . .” She stopped speaking when the doorbell rang. “Mike and Lonnie must be here.”
“Don’t get up. I’ll get it,” Norman said, rising to his feet and heading toward the door.
“I don’t know why Lonnie didn’t use his key, but . . .” She stopped speaking and frowned. “You don’t mind that I gave Lonnie a key, do you, Hannah?”
“I don’t mind at all,” Hannah reassured her. “You told me that Lonnie would be staying here with you. I expected that you’d give him a key.”
Michelle looked relieved. “Thanks, Hannah. I really should have asked you first.” She turned and smiled as Mike and Lonnie came in. “Hi, guys. You know where the beer is, Lonnie. Get one for Mike, will you? And the red wine’s on the counter. Pour a glass for yourself.”
“Thanks, honey.” Lonnie walked over to the couch to give Michelle a kiss. “Come to the kitchen with me, Mike. I’ll get out a beer for you, and you can open it while I pour the wine.”
When Mike came back with his favorite beer, Cold Spring Export, he and Lonnie sat down, they joined Norman and the three men began talking. Hannah and Michelle listened to their conversation for a moment, and then Hannah turned to her sister.
“Do you need any help in the kitchen, Michelle?”
Michelle looked at her blankly for a moment and then she began to smile. “That would be great, Hannah. You can help me put the salad together.”
The moment the two sisters got to the kitchen, Michelle motioned Hannah to a spot away from the kitchen door. “You wanted to ask me something?”
“Yes, and I’m glad your sisterly radar is working tonight.”
Michelle smiled. “What is it, Hannah?”
“There’s one thing I’ve been thinking about. I was just wondering if Mother and Doc replaced my bedroom furniture.”
“Yes, every single piece of it.”
Hannah gave a relieved sigh. She’d been thinking about the bedroom she’d shared with Ross and how jarring it would be if everything still looked the same. “So everything’s new?”
“Everything. It’s delft blue now with white cu
rtains.”
Hannah began to smile. “Mother’s suggestion, I’m sure. Delft blue has always been her favorite color.”
“I know. It looks nice, Hannah. It looks totally different, and they even rearranged the new furniture. Would you like to see it?”
“No,” Hannah said quickly. “I don’t think I’m quite ready for that yet. Maybe I’ll take a look the next time I come out here.”
“That’s fine with me,” Michelle said, heading to the refrigerator to get the large salad bowl that rested on the bottom shelf. She set it on the counter and handed Hannah a pair of salad tongs. “Here, Hannah. You can toss the salad while I clean the cherry tomatoes I’m going to put on top.”
“The salad dressing is already in the bottom of the bowl,” Hannah guessed, knowing that her sister used the same technique she did when she was making a salad for company.
“That’s right. All you have to do is toss it and put the tomatoes and purple onion rings on top.”
Hannah tossed the salad while Michelle cleaned the tomatoes and cut a purple onion into rings. Then both sisters arranged them on top of the salad and carried the bowl to the table. “Everybody dishes up their own?” Hannah guessed.
“No, I think I’ll have Lonnie dish it up while we get the bowls for the Ham It Up Mac and Cheese. You can dish those up while I bring in the little bowls with the accoutrements.”
“What accoutrements?” Hannah asked her.
“Almost the same as you put on the table when you serve chili. I’ve got chopped green onions, sliced black olives, some bacon bits, and extra grated cheese. There’s sour cream, too. That’s really good to put on top and stir in.”
“Do you have hot sauce?”
“Yes, I found your bottle in the pantry. The main dish is nice and spicy, though.”
“Not for Mike. Put it next to his place setting. He absolutely loves Slap Ya Mama.”
“I know. Lonnie told me about the bottle Mike carries in the cruiser. If they go someplace for breakfast or lunch that doesn’t have it, Mike sends Lonnie out to the cruiser to get it.”
Once everyone had come to the table and Lonnie had served the salad, Michelle dished up her Ham It Up Mac and Cheese. They passed around the bowls of accoutrements and conversation was kept to a minimum while they ate. Would you please pass the green onions? and Who’s closest to the bacon crumbles? were the main topics until everyone had eaten their fill, even Mike.
“Only three bowls, Mike?” Hannah asked, half in jest.
“Yeah, I’m saving myself for dessert. What is it, Michelle?”
“Ask Hannah,” Michelle told him. “I’m going to get it out of the refrigerator and cut it.”
“Cut it?” Mike asked, beginning to smile. “That means it’s either a cake or a pie.”
“Not necessarily,” Hannah told him. “It could be bar cookies or brownies.”
“Hot brownies?” Mike looked inordinately pleased. “I remember when you made those for me, Hannah. They were incredible! Did you make those again?”
Hannah shook her head. “Tonight it’s Sweet Orange Pie with my special Crème Fraîche.”
“What’s crème whatever-you-said?” Lonnie asked.
“It’s sweetened whipped cream with flavoring,” Hannah told him. “And it’s got a little sour cream mixed in to cut the sweetness.”
“Sounds interesting,” Lonnie declared. “I think I’m going to like it. I like oranges, and orange pie should be good. I don’t think I’ve ever had it before.”
“That’s probably because Hannah’s never made it before,” Michelle answered, making a trip to the table with three dessert plates, each containing a slice of Sweet Orange Pie with Crème Fraîche on top. “Does everyone want coffee?”
There were nods all around, and Hannah got up to help Michelle serve it.
“I like this pie, Hannah!” Norman told her, finishing his slice.
“So do I,” Lonnie agreed.
“Is there more?” Mike asked predictably.
“Yes, I brought extra for you,” Hannah told him. “I was hoping you’d like it.”
Mike grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks, Hannah. You always take care of me.”
Hannah glanced at Norman, who looked amused. He’d been jealous of Mike’s compliments at first, but then he’d realized that they were food-driven. Mike was a bottomless pit of hunger, and everyone here knew it.
“I’ll put on another pot of coffee and then let’s get started,” Michelle suggested, standing up to collect the plates.
“I’ll help you,” Hannah offered, also standing up. “I’ll put the dishes in the dishwasher while you put on the coffee.”
“You brought your murder book, didn’t you, Hannah?” Mike asked her.
“Yes, of course.”
“Then I can see your suspect list?”
“That depends,” Hannah said. “If you’re going to tell me what you learned so far, then you can see my suspect list. But if you’re going to keep information from me, I’m going to help Michelle clean up, and then Norman and I will go home.”
“We’ve already decided to share information with you,” Lonnie said quickly. “Mike and I talked about it on the way out here. We’re going to need your help on this one.”
“Why?”
“Too many suspects,” Mike answered. “There are a whole lot of people who held grudges against Mayor Bascomb. Lonnie and I are the only ones working this case, and we’re going to need some help from you.”
Vindicated, Hannah’s rational mind crowed. You’ve been vindicated, Hannah!
Either that or it’s a trick to get a look at Hannah’s suspect list, the suspicious part of Hannah’s mind contradicted. Mike can be cagey. You know that.
He’s being serious this time. I’d trust him if I were you, Hannah. I think he really does need your help.
Hannah stopped listening. She’d made up her mind before they’d even arrived at the condo. “You can see my suspect list as long as I can see yours,” she told him. “Just let me help Michelle in the kitchen for a couple of minutes and then we’ll compare notes.”
HAM IT UP CROCKPOT SPICY MAC & CHEESE
(5-Quart Slow Cooker Recipe)
Ingredients:
1-pound (16 ounces) package elbow macaroni, uncooked
¼ cup (½ stick, 2 ounces) salted butter, melted
½-pound (8 ounces) block of sharp cheddar cheese (DO NOT get shredded cheddar cheese—it won’t work in this recipe! You must shred it yourself, right before you use it.)
12-ounce can evaporated milk (NOT sweetened condensed milk)
1 10.5-ounce can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs, beaten (just whip them up in a glass with a fork)
4-ounce can Ortega chopped green chilies
8-ounce brick cream cheese (I used Philadelphia
Cream Cheese in the silver package)
¼ cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
4 drops Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce (if you’d like it spicier, add 5 drops, or simply let each person add their own if they wish)
2 cups of half-inch-cubed ham
1 bunch green onions, cleaned and cut into pieces (you can use up to 2 inches of the stems above the bulbs)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Prepare your slow cooker crock by spraying the inside with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.
Directions:
Cook the macaroni for ONLY half as long as the package instructions. (My package said to cook for 8 minutes, so I cooked it for 4 minutes.)
Hannah’s 1st Note: You want this macaroni UNDERCOOKED because it’s going to cook more in the slow cooker and if it’s fully cooked now, it’ll turn to mush.
When the macaroni is through cooking HALF of the time given on the package, dump it out into a strainer or colander and run water over it to cool it and stop the cooking.
Place the drained half-cooked macaroni in a very large bowl on the kitchen counter.
Pour the melted salted butter over the macaroni and stir it around until it is coated with the butter.
Sprinkle HALF of the shredded cheddar cheese over the partially cooked macaroni and butter.
Open the can of evaporated milk and pour that over the grated cheddar cheese.
Open the can of condensed cheddar cheese soup and use a rubber spatula to remove the soup from the can and place it over the grated cheddar cheese.
Pour the whole milk over the cheddar cheese soup.
If you haven’t done so already, crack the eggs into a glass and mix them up with a fork. When they are well mixed, pour the eggs over the whole milk.
Open the can of Ortega green chilies, drain them, and sprinkle them over the top of the mixing bowl.
Open the 8-ounce package of brick cream cheese and cut it into chunks.
Place the chunks of cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
Measure out ¼ cup of heavy cream (whipping cream) and pour it over the chunks of cream cheese.
Heat on HIGH for 20 seconds. Let the bowl sit in the microwave for 30 seconds and then try to stir the cream cheese and heavy cream smooth. If you can’t, heat it in 15-second increments until you can.
Sprinkle Slap Ya Mama hot sauce over the cream cheese mixture and stir it in.
Pour the cream cheese, cream, and hot sauce mixture into your bowl.
Stir everything up in the bowl, mixing until all the ingredients are well combined.
There’s only one thing left to add and you’re done! Sprinkle the remainder of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of your bowl and mix that in until it’s well combined.
Empty the contents of your mixing bowl into the crock of the slow cooker.
Give everything a final stir by hand.
If you haven’t done so already, cut up enough ham to make 2 cups of half-inch cubes.
Add the 2 cups of cubed ham and the chopped green onions to the crock, and mix well with the other ingredients.
Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn it on LOW heat.