“Really?” Andrea nudged Hannah and gestured toward the dance floor. “Take a good look and tell me that again.”
Hannah scanned the couples on the floor and located Delores dancing with Joe Dietz. Their mother was looking up at Joe and smiling in what Hannah thought could be a mildly flirtatious way. “What’s Mother doing with Joe Dietz? I thought she was dancing with Bud!”
“She was, but not anymore. Joe cut in on Doc Knight.”
“Doc Knight? How did Doc Knight get into the picture?”
“Doc cut in on Bud.”
“But it can’t be more than a minute since Mother left the table! Are you telling me that she’s had three dance partners already?”
“Yes, and number four is on the horizon and approaching fast. Look to your left.”
Hannah followed Andrea’s direction and watched as Pete Nunke walked out on the dance floor and made a beeline for Delores and Joe Dietz. There was no doubt that Andrea was correct when Pete tapped Joe on the shoulder.
“See what I mean?” Andrea asked.
“I see.”
Both sisters watched as Joe tried to wave Pete away. There was a moment of good-natured banter between the two men and then Delores said something to Pete. His response caused her to throw back her head and laugh in obvious delight, leaving no doubt that she relished being the belle of the ball at her best friend’s wedding.
“Mother’s very popular tonight,” Andrea said as Delores went into Pete’s arms.
“Yes, she is.”
“From where I’m sitting, she looks as if she’s enjoying every minute of it,” Andrea commented, “and it looks like it could be a little more than simple friendship to me.”
Hannah sighed. Her sister was right. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on Mother…especially since all the bachelors and widowers in Lake Eden seem to be doing the same thing!”
Chapter Two
She was being crushed between two boulders…except they weren’t boulders. They couldn’t be boulders. Boulders were hard and cold. These were softer, and they were warm. She couldn’t be certain what material they were made of, but she was totally restrained by whatever it was.