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Chatterleys. Everyone is thrilled to have the family back here.”
    “How kind,” Hermione murmured, sipping her tea. She reached for a gingerbread cookie. “Isn’t this adorable,” she said. “It’s a gingerbread boy with a little blue crown on his head. The Chatterleys were royalty in England, you know. Although Frederick, poor dear, was the youngest of seven sons, so he decided to make his way in the colonies.” Hermione took a delicate bite of the cookie, eliminating the crown.
    “That’s just the sort of story everyone wants to hear,” Olivia said, trying to sound enthusiastic but not gushy. “I know you’re both tired and jet-lagged after your long trip, but I was wondering…it might cheer up your husband if he could meet some Chatterley Heights citizens—carefully selected, of course—and tell a few of his stories about the family. Maddie and I could provide decorated gingerbread cookies and make sure the visits are short.”
    “Oh, I don’t know.…” Hermione glanced up at the ceiling as if worried her husband might hear. “There are some individuals here who have been rather cruel to Paine. He was quite upset last evening when he saw two of them gathered in your store.”
    “That was a long time ago.” Remembering Paine’s exchanges with Karen Evanson and Quill Latimer the evening before, Olivia wondered who had been cruel to whom. “I’m sure they regret any unkindness. Besides, I’ll give you a list of potential guests, and you can cross off anyone who might upset your husband.”
    Hermione nibbled through her gingerbread boy’s head and shoulders.
    Olivia sensed it was time to back off. She had done her duty. If the Chatterleys insisted on privacy during the celebration weekend, Karen would have to accept it. “Well, I’ll let you continue to settle in, Mrs. Chatterley. I should get back to work.” Olivia picked up Spunky, who wriggled as if he wanted to stay. “If I may, I’ll call again before Saturday and show you a list of people who would love to meet you and Mr. Chatterley. You are free to alter the list or say no to the whole idea.”
    “How thoughtful,” Hermione said as she rose to show Olivia out. “And do call me Hermione.” At the front door, she added, “You know, I do think I could arrange a little visit with us. Do bring me a list of visitors and let me work on convincing Paine. I think it would be good for him to meet some people.”
    Olivia paused on the stoop for several moments after the front door latch clicked shut. She had not expected Hermione to make such an abrupt turnaround. She’d gone from timid to confident in a matter of minutes. Olivia began to wonder which Chatterley really ran the family.

Chapter Three

    Olivia sighed with relief as she entered The Gingerbread House, having completed her obligation to “reason” with the Chatterleys. She vowed she would never again allow Mayor Karen Evanson to order her around. Although Olivia had to admit the visit had been intriguing. She’d been left with a number of questions. Such as, which Chatterley was the real force to be reckoned with in the family, Paine or Hermione? And was Paine Chatterley a smooth, manipulative character, as he’d seemed the evening before, or was he depressed and irritable? Or both? Not that these were earth-shattering issues. Interesting, though.
    Unlike Olivia, who felt energized, little Spunky was exhausted. He’d allowed Olivia to carry him all the way back to the store. As soon as his little paws hit the floor, he headed for his chair by the window for a nap. “Lazy bum,” Olivia said with a fond pat on the head. Spunky curled uptighter. Olivia reminded herself this was how he normally acted after a long walk, only…maybe she was being paranoid, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask Bertha to help keep an eye on him. If he wasn’t perkier soon, she could drive him over to Chatterley Paws and let the town’s veterinarians, Gwen and Herbie Tucker, look him over.
    Bertha