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attractive, crepeyeyelids gave away her age. Her eyebrows had little worry hooks in them near her long, straight nose. I had only seen her with her hair pulled back in a flawless French twist that emphasized her features. I suspected she had been very beautiful when she was younger. She gave the impression of someone who had been through a lot. Maybe it was her nose, or the way her lips pulled together in a vaguely disapproving pout, but she made me feel like I should sit up straight and behave.
    Martha smiled when she said, “Seems like people are always off their stride when it comes to special events like this.” She lowered her voice. “Callie was running late today. I think she might have had a date last night.”
    Velma appeared perplexed. “I didn’t see her with anyone.”
    It did not escape my attention that Francie nudged Velma’s foot with her own.

CHAPTER SIX
    Dear Natasha,
    I threw a tea party and my know-it-all neighbor said it was inappropriate to serve tea without proper tea knives. I’ve heard of teaspoons. Are there tea forks and tea knives?
    â€”Uncouth in Knife River, Minnesota
    Dear Uncouth,
    Indeed there are such things as tea knives. The dessert fork may be used as a tea fork. Every properly equipped household should have tea knives. They are approximately seven to eight inches long and may also double as breakfast knives.
    â€”Natasha
    â€œMaybe she went out with Hunter,” said Francie.
    â€œWho’s Hunter?” asked Nina.
    â€œHe’s almost as handsome as Robert but in a different way,” said Francie. “He’s adorable. Sophie, I had my eye on him for you, but he’s simply taken with Callie. The way helooks at her! Oh my. I’d have made sure you met him, Sophie, if you didn’t have Alex.”
    â€œI know exactly who you’re talking about. I didn’t think he would show today because of the auction but he’s here.” Martha nodded toward the back and winked at Velma and Francie. “Callie deserves a nice man in her life. But poor Natasha! Small wonder she’s not very capable today. Robert had to set up the auction preview for her over at his shop. Natasha is so agitated she hasn’t been able to concentrate on the auction or the tea at all. Sophie, it was kind of you to take her in last night. Imagine almost being killed by someone in your own home!”
    Almost killed? That story had grown a little bit.
    â€œAnd you didn’t tell me about this?” demanded Francie. “I live right next door to you. That could have been me.”
    Martha excused herself and hurried off.
    I filled Francie in on the events of the night, trying to make it sound a little less disturbing. Evidently my sanitized version didn’t work because Francie declared, “As soon as I get home, I have to look for my husband’s old shotgun.”
    Nina’s eyes widened in alarm. I knew why. All we needed was Francie running around the neighborhood with an old shotgun.
    I patted her hand. “Don’t you worry. We’ll all look out for you, Francie.” Hurrying to change the subject, I said, “Martha has created an amazing place here.”
    Nina whispered, “I hear she runs it like she thinks she’s still a military wife.”
    â€œHer husband might be retired from the military, but I think some habits die hard,” Velma said.
    Francie sipped her tea. “I don’t care how she does it. I’m just glad she opened The Parlour.”
    â€œDo you come here often?” I asked.
    â€œEvery day. This is our regular table, so we can watch Robert’s shop across the street. Now I don’t want you girls making a big deal out of it but I have a birthday coming up day after tomorrow, and I’d like to have a little afternoon tea here. Would you do me the honor of coming?”
    â€œOf course we will!”
    Nina nodded eagerly. “And how old will the birthday