“That’s the way it should be.” Jody nodded. “I’ve decided that I can choose not to be like my mother. Someday I do want a baby, just not right now. I was so glad to see that negative sign I almost squealed. Does that make a lick of sense?”

“It does to me,” Mitzi said.

Jody followed Mitzi’s eyes to the clock. “It’s quittin’ time. I’m getting nervous about dealing with Gladys and Selena, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but Paula needs us,” Mitzi answered.

Before Jody could agree, the twins popped into the room. “Guess what, we got our room all fixed and the table is ready for our sewing machines. Do you think maybe we could get them tomorrow? We can’t wait to get started.”

Dixie went straight to the veil Jody had been working on. “That’s gorgeous. Whoever is wearing it should keep it for their daughters and granddaughters. When I get married, I’m going to wear my Granny Harrison’s veil. Grandpa said I could before he died last year.”

Tabby laid a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Grandpa was our hero. I can’t remember when he wasn’t there for us. That house where he lived—this might sound crazy, but sometimes we can still feel him when we go there. He was the one who told us if anyone bullied us, we should take a step forward and knock the hell out of them. I’m glad I did because it brought us here.”

“We’re glad you’re here, too,” Jody said.

“Hey, I’ve got an idea about the bridal fair. We could bring Granny’s veil. Y’all didn’t make it, but it could be a prop,” Dixie said.

“If your dad doesn’t mind, you could sure let us look at it,” Mitzi said. “It might give us an idea for a veil if someone asked for a vintage wedding dress. And I wanted to ask you—”

“Hey, do I have some pretty girls hidin’ in this place?” Graham’s deep drawl floated down the foyer.

Mitzi and Jody both followed the girls to the foyer. Jody stood back just a little and watched the expressions on all of them.

“Mitzi’s got something to ask us.” Dixie beamed as if the idea of Mitzi having something special up her sleeve truly tickled her.

“Oh?” Graham winked slyly at Mitzi, but it didn’t escape Jody’s watchful eyes.

“I hope it’s not that the bridal fair has been canceled.” Tabby’s eyes filled with tears. “I really want to wear that pretty dress and walk on the runway.”

“Nothing like that. And thank you for letting the girls join us and letting Tabby model for us.” Mitzi fidgeted with her hands, like she did when she was nervous.

“Couldn’t say no to an opportunity like that. What’s the news you’ve got for us?” Graham asked.

“We’re having cake and ice cream tomorrow evening. Would you and the girls like to come?” Mitzi tucked her hands in the pockets of her capri pants.

“Love to. Can we bring anything?” Graham asked.

His eyes went all soft and dreamy when he looked at Mitzi. Her cheeks probably looked like she had too much blush. Could it be possible that there really was chemistry on both sides? Had this gone beyond a one-sided crush?

“Not a thing,” Jody answered for Mitzi. “We’ve got it all covered.”

“Well, then, let’s go home, ladies. You can tell me all about your day while we have supper,” Graham said. “Thanks for the invitation and we’ll look forward to being here.”

They’d barely made it out the door when Jody elbowed Mitzi. “You still like him, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do, but a lot of good it’ll do me. If he ever does get into a relationship, it’ll be with a cute little thing like Rita,” Mitzi said.

“Never say never,” Jody warned. “Let’s lock up and go over to Gladys’s house. It might be the last time we ever see it standing, because after today, it might explode into flames.”

“You got that right.” Mitzi nodded.

When Paula turned the corner, Mitzi’s van was already parked next to the curb, and there was Selena’s little VW bug right behind it. Paula pulled in, ate a couple of antacids to calm her nervous stomach, and got out of the car. Maybe she should put this off until tomorrow or the next day, or after she’d had the baby.

Mitzi and Jody met her at the sidewalk leading up to the small-frame house with red roses climbing up the porch posts. Paula usually loved the sweet scent of the flowers, but on this day they almost gagged her.

Jody looped her arm in Paula’s. “I’m not pregnant. I took a test today and it’s negative.”

“I almost stopped and bought a test for you. Glad I didn’t.” Paula dreaded going into the house. The outside always looked like something out of a gardening magazine, and there wouldn’t be a spot of dust on the inside. But if it was true that the heart of a home was the mother, then the core of that place was rotten.

“You okay?” Mitzi asked.

“No, but I will be in a little while.” Paula sat down on the porch swing. “I need just a minute. I used to sit here for five minutes when I came home from school to get settled before I went in the house, and I still do every time I come over here. That’s Selena’s new car out there. Y’all know that she’s always driven a small car, liked tiny jewelry rather than the big clunky stuff like I wear, and now she’s all taken up with little dogs. She has a Chihuahua that she carries in her purse, so get ready for it.”