a match to it. I think I’ll do the same thing with that
newspaper. It’s not even local.” Gertrude ran out of
breath, but not for long. She glared at Joe.
Judith proffered her own tray. “Here. I’ve lost my
appetite.”
As Gertrude sat down in the armchair Joe had va-
cated, Judith cast a longing look at her husband. Joe
simply shook his head.
“Hey,” Gertrude cried, “where are my dentures?”
“In your mouth,” Judith responded a bit testily.
“Oh.” Gertrude began to eat. After swallowing a
mouthful of omelette, she stared at her daughter.
“Where’s that danged cat?”
“In your room, remember?” Judith said.
“Maybe not,” Joe put in. He gestured at Judith.
“Let’s go look for him.”
Judith started to protest, caught the gleam in Joe’s
eyes, and agreed. They’d search for Sweetums.
“Take your time eating, Mother,” Judith called over
her shoulder as they headed for Gertrude’s adjoining
room.
Hand in hand, Judith and Joe hurried out of the
suite.
If life wasn’t perfect, this was the next best thing.
About the Author
Seattle native MARY RICHARDSON DAHEIM began
reading mysteries when she was seven. She began her
writing career about the same time, but after getting a
journalism degree, she put her skills to use on
newspapers and in public relations. Publishing novels
was always her goal, and she finally hit the racks with
her first B&B mystery in 1991, adding the Alpine series
the next year. Daheim received the Pacific Northwest
Writers Association’s Achievement Award in 2000. She
lives with her husband, David Daheim, in Seattle.
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Praise
“MARY DAHEIM
IS THE REIGNING QUEEN
OF THE COZIES”
“Delightful mysteries.”
“Daheim writes with wit, wisdom, and a big heart . . .
Judith and Renie are sleuths to treasure.”
Carolyn Hart
