going to take a little vacation.”
“Vacation?” Hannah repeated the word. Her mind was spinning and she couldn’t seem to think of anything else to say.
“That’s right. Your mother got a call from Lynne Larchmont yesterday. Lynne made an offer on Tory Bascomb’s condo, and the mayor and Stephanie accepted it.”
Hannah blinked several times, trying to process this new, surprising information. “That’s . . . great.”
“Exactly what your mother said. And once she told me about it, I urged her to call Lynne back and tell her that you two will fly out to Los Angeles to help Lynne get things packed up for the movers.”
“You mean . . . Mother and me?”
Doc nodded. “Precisely. I made the plane reservations for both of you last night. You’ll be at Lynne’s house by the end of the week.”
“But . . .” Hannah stopped talking when Doc held up his hand.
“I know that Friday is Valentine’s Day, but I’ve already talked to Marge and Nancy, and they’d promised to fill in for you at The Cookie Jar. Lisa assures me that they can handle anything that might come up, Michelle has agreed to stay at your condo with Moishe to oversee the work that’s being done there, and Cyril will drive you to the airport in one of his limos.”
Hannah just stared at him blankly. It seemed that Doc had thought of everything.
“Here,” Doc said, handing her a prescription blank. “I’ve prescribed a vacation and you will go. I won’t listen to any objections. You’re my patient and you’ll follow my recommendation. And besides, I love you, Hannah.”
Tears sprang to Hannah’s eyes. There was no doubt in her mind that Doc loved her. She gave a little nod, and then she managed a smile.
“Good!” Doc got up and walked around his desk to give her a hug. “There’s another factor, too.”
Hannah stared at him with some trepidation. “What’s that?”
“You’re not the only one who needs a vacation.”
Hannah took a moment to digest that comment. “You mean . . . you’re going to Los Angeles with us?”
“No, but your mother’s going. And that means I get a vacation. You’re doing me a big favor, Hannah.”
Hannah couldn’t help it. She burst into laughter. This wasn’t the first time she’d been delighted that her mother had married Doc.
Doc smiled, and then his expression sobered. “You have no idea how worried your mother has been about you. It’ll do her a world of good to spend some time in California with you and Lynne. And, to be perfectly honest, it’s going to be a lot less stressful around here with both of you gone.”
“Mother’s been that worried?”
“Yes. You’ll go, won’t you, Hannah?”
“I . . .” Hannah dipped her head in a nod. “Yes, if you really think I should.”
“I do. Helping Lynne pack will give you something else to think about, not to mention that your mother will be fascinated with the lifestyle in California. Lynne told her that she lives in a place called Brentwood and quite a few celebrities live there. Your mother doesn’t think I know, but she has several subscriptions to those celebrity, tell-all magazines. And that’s our secret, okay?”
“Okay,” Hannah agreed. Perhaps it would be best to get away and gain a new perspective.
“Lynne’s very excited about moving here to Lake Eden, Hannah. She said she’s looking forward to being around real friends.”
Hannah began to smile. “Well . . . in that case . . . What time do we leave?”
“On Friday morning. Get things settled with your crew at The Cookie Jar and then meet with Michelle. She can bring you whatever you need from the condo.”
Quite unexpectedly, Hannah felt a surge of excitement. The world suddenly seemed less dreary, even though the skies were gray and overcast and snow was predicted. “Thank you, Doc,” she said. “I’m going to drive over to Mother’s and ask her advice on what I should pack.”
Chapter Two
“Wake up, Hannah.”
Hannah awoke with a jolt as she heard her mother’s voice. “I’m too tired to go to school,” she protested.
Delores laughed and so did someone else. And then a voice that Hannah didn’t recognize said, “Your mother ordered coffee for you. Better wake up and drink it before it gets cold.”
Hannah’s eyes flew open and she focused on a tray table with a cup of coffee. She picked it up, took a sip, and saw the stewardess standing in the aisle of the plane. “Sorry,” she apologized. “For a minute there, I didn’t know where I