“You have time, then. I already sent the cookies out to Mike with Earl and Carrie.”
“Mike knew that, but he just called me to ask me to bring out more. Another four cars couldn’t stop in time. It’s turning into a big accident scene, Hannah.”
“Oh, dear!” Hannah poured a cup of coffee for Norman and walked over to the bakers rack to see what she could send with him. “Is anyone badly injured?”
“Mike said it wasn’t that bad yet. He was just worried that the situation might escalate.”
“That’s always a possibility.” Hannah removed several trays of cookies and began to package them. “Does Mike want more coffee?”
“He said it couldn’t hurt. I’ll go tell Lisa.”
“Okay.” Hannah finished packaging the cookies for Mike and packed up a half-dozen for Norman. As she turned, she glanced out the kitchen window and began to frown.
“What’s wrong?” Norman asked, coming back in from the coffee shop.
“It looks like rain outside.”
“I know.”
“Let’s just hope it blows over.”
“That’s exactly what Mike said. Rain is the last thing we need at the scene of an accident.” Norman walked back to his stool at the work station and picked up his coffee cup. “It’s lonely in the mornings without you, Hannah. I guess I’m getting too used to having you stay with me.”
Warning bells went off in Hannah’s head and she refrained from saying anything at all. It was cozy and comfortable staying with Norman, and she loved the fireplace in the master bedroom. Still, it was temporary and she missed living at her condo. Having Norman move to the guest bedroom made her feel guilty. If only the bad memories would fade for her and for Moishe, she could go back to her own place.
“Did you feed the cats?” she asked, taking a plate of cookies to the work station and setting them down on the stainless steel surface.
“Of course I did. Moishe wouldn’t let me forget to feed him! And come to think about it, neither would Cuddles. I think she’s learned a trick or two from Moishe, because she’s not happy unless she gets her breakfast on time.”
Hannah began to smile. Her cat, twenty-three-pound Moishe, demanded his breakfast and howled about it if he didn’t get it soon enough. He also demanded his treats when they got home from work, his bedtime snack of fish-shaped, salmon-flavored kitty cookies, and his daily ration of tuna. “I think we’ve raised two spoiled cats.”
“I think you’re right.” Norman reached out for a cookie. “What are these, Hannah?”
“Butterscotch Delight Cookies.”
“They’re pretty with that drizzle of icing on top.” Norman bit into his cookie and began to smile. “And they’re really good! Do you mind if I take the rest of these with me, Hannah?”
“I don’t mind at all. Just save some for you and don’t let Mike eat them all.”
“I won’t. I’ll go get the coffee from Lisa and head out to the highway, then. Do you want me to pick you up from work tonight?”
“Sure. Come over when you’re through for the day.”
“Dinner at home? Or out?”
Hannah came close to frowning. That sounded a bit too domestic for her. She’d been staying at Norman’s house for three weeks now and perhaps it was time to make a change.
“I could use a hamburger,” Norman said. “How about one of Rose’s patty melts?”
“That sounds good to me,” Hannah said quickly.
“Thanks, Hannah. See you later, then.” Norman grabbed his jacket, put it on, and opened the back door. “I’ll be here by four.”
“That’s good for me,” Hannah told him.
After Norman left, Hannah went back to her baking. The Lemon Curd had cooled enough for her to use it. She’d already spooned on the cream cheese mixture and now it was time for the Lemon Curd. Once each Danish had its Lemon Curd in place, she folded over the corners of the puff pastry, brushed on the egg wash, and sprinkled sugar on top. It didn’t take long at all to bake them, and less than a half hour later, she was through baking. She should probably bake another couple of batches of cookies since she’d sent so many out to the accident scene, but she needed a cup of coffee first. Once she’d poured it, she walked back to the work station, sat down on her favorite stool, and gave a long sigh. She hadn’t slept well last night and she was tired. Perhaps she’d rest her eyes for a moment and then she’d decide which cookies to make next.
BUTTERSCOTCH DELIGHT COOKIES
DO NOT preheat oven—This cookie dough must chill before baking.
Ingredients:
8 ounces (2 sticks, ? pound) salted butter
? cup white (granulated) sugar
? cup brown sugar (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
? teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs, beaten (just whip them up in a glass with a fork)
3 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
2 cups butterscotch chips (I used Nestlé)
Directions:
Hannah’s 1st Note: You can mix these cookies up by hand, but it’s easiest with an electric mixer.
Prepare your cookie sheets by spraying them with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray. Alternatively, you can line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl on HIGH for 1 minute (60 seconds).
Let the melted butter sit in the microwave for an additional minute. If it’s not completely melted, microwave it in 20-second increments with 20-second standing times until it is melted.
Set the melted butter on the kitchen counter to let it cool a bit.
Put the white sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer.
Sprinkle the brown sugar on top of the white sugar.
Add the teaspoon of salt.
Turn the mixer on LOW and mix until the sugars and salt are well blended.
With the mixer still running on LOW speed, add the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, then mix it in.
With the mixer still running on LOW speed, add the baking soda and the baking powder. Mix thoroughly.
Add the eggs, mixing after each addition.
Shut off the mixer and scrape down the inside of the mixing bowl.
Turn the mixer back on LOW speed again and add the melted butter.
Mix the melted butter in thoroughly.
Measure out the flour and add it to your mixing bowl in half-cup increments, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
Turn off the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and take the bowl out of the mixer.
Use a mixing spoon to mix in the 2 cups of butterscotch chips (that’s one 12-ounce package). Give the cookie dough a final stir by hand.
Cover the dough with a piece of plastic wrap and set it in the refrigerator to chill.
Let the cookie dough chill for at least 45 minutes. (Overnight is fine too.)
When you’re ready to bake your cookies, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F., rack in the middle position. Leave your cookie dough in the refrigerator until your oven has come up to baking temperature.