The card was dutifully set on top of the cookies inside a plastic container. “We’re not going to make a habit of this,” she warned her mother as Sophie ran to the coat closet.
“It doesn’t hurt to be kind to the neighbors. You never know when you might need their help,” Mia said. “We made a package for Molly, too.”
“Subterfuge,” Arianna said. “You’re not fooling me.”
Mia just smiled.
“You and Sophie could have delivered these.”
“I got tired.”
Too tired to deliver cookies—a likely story.
So embarrassing, Arianna thought as she followed her daughter out the door. If Alden answered, she was going to tell him they were from her mother.
“Let’s go to Aunt Molly’s first,” Sophie said, and started off down the street at a run.
Arianna followed with a sigh. After being on her feet for twelve hours, the last thing she wanted was a walk around the neighborhood.
“Whoa, what’s this I spy with my hungry eye?” Molly greeted them.
“Cookies!” crowed Sophie as Arianna handed over the plastic container.
“Mom’s been baking,” said Arianna.
“God bless her. I could use a sugar fix,” Molly said. “Come on in.”
“We can’t. We still have another delivery to make.”
“Covering the whole hood, huh?” Molly guessed.
“Only you and the new neighbor. He’s single and Mom thinks cookies are the way to his heart.”
“It’s one way, for sure,” Molly said. “I’ve seen him a couple of times. Nice eye candy.”
“Candy isn’t good for you,” said Arianna.
Molly chuckled. “Tell that to the Easter Bunny.”
“I love the Easter Bunny,” put in Sophie, jumping up and down.
“You know, it’s been long enough. You could give someone new a chance,” Molly said to Arianna.
“Oh, look who’s talking,” Arianna retorted.
“So maybe I’m not above looking.”
Arianna leaned against the doorpost. “Yeah? Is there something you’re not telling us? Maybe I should come in.”
“Get out of here and go finish your deliveries,” said Molly.
Hmm. Interesting. Was Molly playing post office with someone? Arianna smiled. She hoped so.
Okay, on to the next delivery.
She dutifully rang Alden’s doorbell, just in case he was home and his truck was in the garage and he was saving on electricity by only having one light on.
He didn’t answer. The only one home was his dog, who barked up a doggy frenzy in the hope that someone would break in and play with him.
