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was quite alarmed.”
    “Oh my!”
    “Dr. Bentley gave me a shot and some antihistaminepills. He said I should feel and look better in a day or two.” She slowly shook her head, then pulled her scarf over her face a bit more.
    “Poor Aunt Ethel.” Jane gently patted her aunt’s shoulder.
    “Believe it or not, my dear, I actually looked worse than this only a few hours ago.”
    “Good grief,” said Jane. “Why didn’t you call over here for help?”
    “I considered doing that, but I felt it was rather serious and I knew that our good doctor would make a house call. I thought it best to see a physician.”
    “Yes, it seems you were right about that.”
    “Anyway, it just hit me a few minutes ago that I had promised to show Belle the town today. I wanted to introduce her around and all. And I’m afraid I won’t be able to do that now.”
    “You could’ve just called over here to cancel, Auntie. I’m sure Belle will understand.”
    “Yes, I suppose. But I wanted to ask you a personal favor, Jane. You see, I thought perhaps you could step in for me. Belle is a sweet person, and I do so like her. I really do want to help her, despite my reaction to her beauty products. Anyway, I would like to assist Belle in establishing herself in Acorn Hill. And I thought that you, being notterribly busy since the inn isn’t full, well, couldn’t you step in for your poor old auntie?”
    “Oh, I don’t really think that’s a good—”
    “Please, Jane,” pleaded Ethel. “It will only be for a day or two at the most. And, as you know, time is of the essence. Belle needs to get started on her mission right away.”
    “Her mission?” Jane frowned.
    “Of finding a man.” She shoved a piece of paper at Jane. “I’ve made a list of all the people you can begin introducing her to.”
    “But, Auntie,” demanded Jane, “surely you don’t expect me to drag poor Belle about the town, introducing her to every available male and making complete fools of both of—”
    “I only expect you to use your head, Jane. Of course, you won’t let it be known that Belle is, well, on a manhunt. You must be more diplomatic than that. Just casually give Belle a tour of our dear little town and make it seem coincidental when you just happen to run into certain eligible bachelors. It’s really quite simple.” Ethel sighed heavily, as if this whole business was wearing her out.
    “Oh, Auntie, I really don’t think—”
    “That’s just the point, Jane. Don’t think. You’re always making a mountain out of a molehill, dear. It’s really not such a great deal to ask of one’s niece. In fact, while you’reat it, you might take some notes from Belle because she seems much more likely to wed than you.”
    Because of Ethel’s pitiful condition, Jane decided to control the urge to respond. What good would it do anyway?
    “So, you’ll do it for me then?” Ethel twisted her swollen and purplish lips into a crooked smile.
    “I’ll do what I can, Auntie. But no guarantees.”
    “And I’ll give Lloyd a call later this morning. Maybe he can be of some help to us as well. Thank you, Jane.” Ethel pulled her scarf closer around her face. “Now I feel the need to go and rest a bit. I think I shall put my feet up, perhaps have a cup of tea.”
    Jane softened toward her aunt. “And I’ll bring you some breakfast in a little bit.”
    “Oh, you are a dear.” Then Ethel went out the back door.
    Jane watched as her elderly aunt scurried toward her home in the inn’s carriage house. She walked in a hunched-back manner, as if she thought this posture might make her less visible as she quickly returned to the sanctuary of the carriage house. Poor Auntie!
    Then, as Jane noticed smoke coming out of the waffle iron, she thought,
Poor Jane!
Not only had her waffles burnt, but she had allowed Ethel to rope her into a perfectly silly scheme.
Really, what could I have been thinking?
    “Hello in there?” called Kenneth.
    “Come in, come