“Not together,” Hannah said quickly. “Sally told me she’ll probably have a room available for Norman if he wants it.”
“But how about the cats? If both of you stay out here, you’ll have to go back to Norman’s house to feed them and everything, won’t you?”
“I don’t think so. Mother said that she misses the cats and Doc’s grown really fond of Moishe. I’m going to ask Mother if she’ll keep the cats for the week. Doc’s been working long hours, and she told me that she was a little lonely. I’m just hoping that she can keep Moishe and Cuddles for the week.”
“That’s a good idea, Hannah, and she’ll probably agree. She told me that Stephanie Bascomb comes over every afternoon for tea and they both love to watch the cats try to catch ladybugs in the garden.”
“I know. Everyone gets a kick out of that, especially because the cats never catch them. And Doc says that Moishe always looks completely amazed when the ladybugs fly off.”
Andrea looked highly amused. “Moishe caught one the other day. Mother told me.”
“Oh, dear! I hope he didn’t eat it!”
“He didn’t. Mother said he just stared at it for a minute and then he reached out and nudged it until it flew away.”
“Hello, ladies!” A male voice broke into their conversation. “I’ve got a question for you.”
It was Sonny Bowman, and Hannah watched as Andrea began to blush slightly.
“What can we do for you?” Hannah asked him.
“I need some information. Which one of you made those Caramel Pecan Rolls?”
Since Andrea looked totally flustered by the handsome fishing show star, Hannah answered. “Both of us did, along with a little help from Sally. Do you like them?”
“They’re great! I’ve already had three and I’ll probably have another one for dessert. Are you going to make them again tomorrow morning?”
“We can if you want them,” Andrea recovered enough to say.
“I do. Make three extra for me, will you?”
“We’d be happy to,” Hannah said quickly. She wasn’t sure if Sally had planned to serve them again tomorrow, but she was almost certain that Sally would agree with a request from the fishing competition celebrity.
“Of course we will!” Andrea chimed in.
“Package them up for me. I’m going to take some out on the boat with me after the buffet.”
“Do you want a few more for Joey?” Andrea asked him.
“No. He can get his own if he wants them. Besides, he’s going out early to find the best spots. He’ll pick me up after the breakfast buffet.”
“So Joey’s not coming to the breakfast buffet?” Hannah asked, drawing the obvious conclusion.
“No, he can wait until noon to eat. Joey needs to lose a little weight anyway. I don’t want anybody fat in the boat with me.”
Without another word, Sonny turned and walked toward a table where two attractive ladies were sitting alone. He pulled out a chair between the two and sat down, giving the women his famous smile.
“He’s a conceited you-know-what, isn’t he,” Andrea said, and it wasn’t a question. “It’s just too bad he’s so good looking. He didn’t even thank us when we said we’d make a package of rolls for him. And when we asked if he wanted a package for Joey, he looked positively amazed that we’d even suggested it.”
“I noticed that,” Hannah said, not going into detail but already deciding that she’d make an extra package of Caramel Pecan Rolls and leave them outside Joey’s room. “You said you watched his fishing show?”
“Yes. Bill likes it because he always goes to a different lake in Minnesota. He says it’s good advertisement for our state.”
“That’s probably true. Has he gone to Eden Lake before?”
“I don’t think so, and I’ve watched every episode with Bill. We always record it and watch it together.”
“I didn’t realize that you liked fishing that much.”
“I don’t. I watch because it’s something I can do with Bill. It’s time that we get to spend together. If I didn’t watch, he’d probably turn on the TV in his office and watch it there.”
Hannah was impressed. Her sister was doing her best to be a good wife.
“You ought to watch it sometime,” Andrea told her. “It’s just a crime the way Sonny treats Joey. I think they just chose Sonny because he looks really good on television.”
“You’re probably right. I’m sure it all has to do with demographics. Fishing shows are primarily a guy thing, but women will watch it for Sonny.” She glanced over at the table where Sonny was sitting with the two women.
“You’re right.” Andrea was obviously impressed with Hannah’s insight. “I encourage Bill to come home in time to watch the fishing show. Now that you mention it, a lot of wives probably do the same thing. And that means Sonny’s show does better in the ratings.”
“Exactly right,” Hannah said, turning to greet Sally, who was coming over to their buffet station. “Hi, Sally. How is it going?”
“Great, but I’m keeping an eye on Sonny’s table,” Sally said. “Just look at those two women. They are practically salivating over him!”
“We noticed,” Andrea answered her.
“Well . . . their husbands just walked in, and both of them looked a little upset that their wives hadn’t saved enough chairs for them. I wonder if I should go there and add another couple of chairs.”
“Wait a second,” Hannah said, noticing that Wally was heading for Sonny’s table along with a waiter carrying more chairs. “I think Wally just took care of things for you.”
The three women watched as Wally shook hands with the men and the waiter put the chairs in place. Right after the two men sat down next to their wives, Wally motioned to Sonny.
“You’re right,” Sally said, and they watched as Sonny said goodbye to the women and followed Wally from the room. “Is Wally going to chew Sonny out?” Andrea asked.
Sally shook her head. “I doubt it, but watch. I saw Wally motion to Joey right before he left with Sonny.”
“Very smart,” Andrea said, watching Joey get up from his chair and walk over to the table that Sonny had vacated.
“Look at the men now,” Sally commented. “They’re all smiles.”
“That’s probably because they have the chance to ask Joey fishing questions,” Sally suggested, beginning to smile. “Dick got a chance to talk to Joey last night and he said that Joey knows more about fishing than anyone else he’s ever met.” She turned to Hannah. “I hope you girls are going to make those rolls for Sonny in the morning. Personally, I can’t stand the guy, but I need him to convince Wally to come back here every year for a Walleye Fishing Tournament. We’ve already made more money this month than usual.”
“Don’t worry, Sally. We’ll make as many rolls as you want us to,” Andrea assured her.
“Yes, we will,” Hannah agreed. “Don’t worry, Sally, Andrea and I will make sure Sonny’s well taken care of!”
“We will?” Andrea asked, looking slightly shocked.
“Absolutely!” Hannah gave a mischievous smile. “Besides, there’s always arsenic.”
CARAMEL PECAN ROLLS
(The easiest Caramel Pecan Rolls you’ll ever make) DO NOT preheat your oven yet—these rolls have to sit in the baking pan for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before baking.