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could it do? Then again, I’d been bitten before by overstepping my bounds with my mother, so it might be wise to be careful. “I don’t see why not, but maybe we should clear it with Momma first. Now that she’s a politician, I’m probably going to have to start watching what I say about her, at least in public.”
    Emma grinned. “I can’t see her losing the race for mayor, can you? Everyone loves her, and the best Cam Hamilton can muster is ambivalence.”
    “I hope Momma wins, there’s no doubt about it. After all, it would look bad on me too, if she didn’t, since I’m her campaign manager.”
    “Can I volunteer?” she asked eagerly, her voice bursting with enthusiasm. “I just love politics.”
    “I’m sure we can find a place for you.” I started cutting out the donut and hole shapes with my rolling donut cutter. I’d found this particular cutter locally, and at a price I liked, though every time I used it I was reminded of a time when I’d been a murder suspect, which was not exactly the best memory I had. “We’re cleaning up Hannah’s, so we can use it as our headquarters after work this morning, and you’re more than welcome to join us.” I took a deep breath, knowing that I was on shaky ground, and then asked, “But don’t you have a new boyfriend taking up all of your time these days?”
    “Do you mean Chad? He’s history,” she said.
    That was news to me. “Since when?”
    Emma shrugged as she replied, “We broke up yesterday.”
    I frowned at the news. I hated when Emma’s heart was broken. “I’m so sorry.”
    She started cleaning up my mess as she answered, “Don’t be. He didn’t turn out to be the guy I thought he was.”
    “You’ll find someone,” I said. “You’re too special not to.”
    “I just hope I find someone as perfect as Grace did,” Emma said with a sigh. “I saw them out last night, and they looked like they were really in love.”
    That was pushing it; at least I hope that it was. To my mind, Grace had gone from being extremely picky to being overly accepting lately, though I’d never say that to her. “It might be too soon to say that, but I know that she’s awfully fond of him.”
    Emma laughed as I finished rolling the cutter over the last bit of dough, producing perfectly shaped donuts and holes and leaving only scraps behind. She said, “You sound like my grandmother. Is anyone really still fond of the person they’re dating in this day and age?”
    I swatted her with my towel. “Don’t make fun of me, young lady. After all, I’m still your boss.”
    With a big grin, Emma saluted and said, “Yes, ma’am. I mean, no, ma’am. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
    I handed her the cutter. “Would you mind washing this while you’re cleaning up?”
    “I’m on it,” she said.
    As Emma filled the sink with warm water, she said, “I don’t care what you say, Suzanne, you’ve got to admit it, Peter Morgan is kind of dreamy.”
    “He’s handsome, I’ll give you that.” I’d spent some time with Peter twice, and the three of us had even had dinner together as Grace kept staring at us both, willing us to get along. It made for a long meal, and I’d begged off the next time she asked. It was almost painful watching Grace hope for my approval, and while I didn’t have anything against the man, he didn’t bowl me over as he had Emma. Maybe his charm reminded me a little too much of my ex, Max.
    “Come on, he’s awesome,” Emma said.
    “Fine, he’s awesome.” I didn’t want to argue with her, so it was time to change the subject. “How is your father going to manage to wait a week before he can put out his next newspaper?”
    Emma laughed. “You’re kidding, right? He’s in his office now getting ready to put out a special edition. The headline’s going to be trumpeting your mother’s candidacy.”
    That was news to me, and I had to wonder if Momma had heard yet. “Funny, he didn’t even interview her about it, at least not