Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke Page B

like I got here just in time,” Ross said, taking Hannah into his arms. “I need to talk to you, Cookie.”
    He sounded serious and Hannah looked up to try to read his expression. “What about?”
    “The Food Channel competition. Why didn’t you call to tell me that they changed the date?”
    Hannah felt a sudden stab of guilt. “I’m sorry, Ross. I should have called you right away. Andrea told me that and she was right. It was just I . . . well . . . it never occurred to me to call you at work.”
    “But didn’t you think I’d want to know?”
    Hannah sighed and admitted defeat. “I didn’t think. That’s the problem. I’m over thirty, Ross, and I’ve never been married. I’ve always been alone, and I guess I’m just used to handling things on my own. It’s a big change, but I really am sorry, and . . .” she stopped as she realized that tears were gathering in her eyes. “I . . . I’ll do better. I promise I will.”
    “Oh, honey!” Ross hugged her tightly. “It’s okay. I know you’ve never been part of a couple and it takes some time to get used to it. Don’t worry. We’re not joined at the hip, or anything like that. The only thing it took was a little arranging.”
    “Arranging?”
    “Yes. I didn’t want to tell you until it was firm, but KCOW is sending me with you to New York. I’m going to film a special about your experience as a contestant in a national baking competition.”
    Hannah was so surprised, she stopped feeling guilty. Instead, she was flabbergasted. “You mean you’re going with Michelle and me?”
    “Not just me. P.K.’s going along, too. He’s their best cameraman, and they want him to get the experience. He told me he met you?”
    “Yes, he did.” Hannah smiled. “He was the night engineer at KCOW then.”
    “He told me. He said he met you during the Hartland Flour Competition and he helped set up some outtakes for you to watch.”
    “Does he still wear a ponytail and an earring?”
    “Not anymore.”
    “I really liked him, Ross. We got to talking and he told me that someday he wanted to direct.”
    “He still does. He also wants to make independent films, and I’m training him. That’s why I’m taking him along with us to New York. He’ll be my second cameraman, but he’ll also be learning about producing independent segments.”
    “That’s just wonderful! I’m so glad you’ll be with me in New York, Ross. I didn’t like the thought of leaving you right before the wedding.”
    Ross gave her a quick kiss. “Were you worried that I’d get cold feet?”
    “No, it’s not that. I just knew I’d be lonely without you.”
    Hannah’s answer generated another, much longer kiss. Hannah was just wishing that they were already married and Ross could stay when she heard footsteps coming down the hallway.
    “Oh! Sorry!” Michelle said, walking into the room and noticing Ross on the couch. “I didn’t know you were here, Ross. I was coming out to make sure I turned off the oven after I warmed the dessert. I’ll just check and go right back to bed.”
    “You don’t have to do that,” Ross said, smiling at her. “I have to leave in a couple of minutes anyway, and I’ll see you both for breakfast.” He paused and began to smile. “Say, Michelle . . . you don’t happen to have any of that dessert left, do you?”
    Michelle laughed. “As a matter of fact I do. I was thinking about having a piece myself. How about you, Hannah?”
    Hannah smiled. “Have you ever heard me turn down dessert?”
    “No!”
    Both Michelle and Ross answered at once, and then all three of them laughed.
    “If you cut it, I’ll warm it in the microwave,” Hannah offered. “It’ll be a perfect midnight snack.”
    “But it’s only eleven,” Ross pointed out.
    “That’s okay,” Hannah said. “At midnight I’ll probably be dreaming about how good it was.”

Chapter Eight
    T he recipe testing at The Cookie Jar had been a huge success. When Lisa had announced that