Page 56 of The Pink House

She paused and listened intently, but heard no response.

Hannah headed down the steps to the sidewalk, then abruptly came to a stop. What if Lisa had fallen and even now was lying on the floor, unable to get up? What if…

“Her friend picked her up,” Geraldine called from across the street. “They’re going to the symphony tonight.”

Instead of shouting back, Hannah crossed the street, coming to a stop on the sidewalk in front of Beverly and Geraldine’s home. “Thanks for letting me know. I told Charlie that if his mom ever needed anything while he was out of town, I’d be available. I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

“Come join us.” Geraldine gestured to a wicker rocker that was identical to the one she sat in.

“Us?” Hannah asked.

“Beverly is inside getting sun tea and cookies. When we saw you come out of your house, I told her to bring an extra glass.”

“That was nice of you.” Hannah climbed the steps to the porch, but hesitated when she reached the rocker. “I don’t want to take her seat.”

“Beverly likes the swing.” Geraldine gestured with one hand to the white lacquered swing swaying gently in the breeze. “That’s her favorite spot. I may even join her there once she—”

“Yoo-hoo, could someone open the door for me, please?”

“I’ll get it.” Hannah motioned Geraldine down and hurried to the screen door.

Beaming, Beverly stepped out onto the porch with a pitcher of tea, three glasses of ice and a plate of what Hannah recognized as Berger cookies.

Her mouth began to water as she thought of the cookies’ cakelike bottom topped with a thick fudge spread.

“I haven’t had a Berger in years.” Hannah’s gaze returned to the pretty plate. The sweet treat, originating at a Baltimore bakery back in 1835, was considered by many to be the state cookie of Maryland.

“Then this is your lucky day.” Beverly smiled. “Because of blood-sugar issues, one is my limit, so there’s plenty here for you and Geraldine.”

“Let me set this down for you.” Hannah lifted the heavy tray from the older woman’s hands and placed it on a white wicker table that matched the porch chairs.

Beverly smiled. “Thank you, hon.”

“Did Geraldine tell you that Lisa went to the symphony with her friend?” Beverly bent over the tray, fussing with the contents.

“She did. I was worried—”

“And that Charlie is out on a date?”

“No, no, she didn’t mention that.” Hannah gratefully took the glass of tea that Geraldine handed her and dropped down into the rocker. “A date? Anyone I know?”

Beverly, who’d made a beeline for the swing after grabbing a cookie on the way, paused. “Ashleigh Christopher. She’s a history teacher at one of the high schools. I believe they’ve gone out before.”

Beverly looked to Geraldine and got a confirmatory nod.

“That’s nice.” Even as her heart twisted, Hannah told herself it didn’t matter to her who Charlie dated. “We’re just friends.”

She started, not having meant to say the reassurance out loud.

When the two women shifted their gazes to her, Hannah smiled weakly.

“Charlie and I,” she clarified, though who else could she have been talking about? “We’re just friends.”

Geraldine and Beverly exchanged glances.

“That’s nice,” Beverly said when the silence stretched. “I mean, it’s nice when neighbors can also be friends. I view most everyone who lives on this block as my friend. Don’t you, Geraldine?”

“Most everyone,” Geraldine agreed.

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