Charlotte leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I’m going to eat a burger with you, and if I lose a single wrinkle, I’ll pay for a patent.”

“It’s a deal.” Jennie Sue stuck out her hand.

Her mother shook it, and Elaine appeared at the table with two menus and a couple of glasses of water. “Good to see you, Charlotte. What can I get you ladies today?”

“Two burger baskets. No onions on either, and mustard. Fries and two Cokes, not diet. And save us a slice of chocolate cream pie. We’ll share it to save on fat grams,” Jennie Sue ordered.

“Are you insane?” Charlotte asked as soon as Elaine moved away from the booth.

“Maybe so.” Jennie Sue nodded. “After all, what sane woman would leave a virtual mansion to live in a garage apartment, clean houses, and work in a bookstore for a living when she could be living in luxury?”

“Why are you doin’ it, then?” Charlotte asked.

“Because it makes me happy,” she said. “I like having friends that are real and who don’t turn their backs on me.”

“Like Cricket? Are you callin’ that woman a real friend?” Charlotte’s mouth set into a firm line.

“She’s not my friend yet, but she’s honest. Whatever she’s got to say comes right out—to my face.” At least they’d made a couple of fun memories before the aliens decided Charlotte Baker was much too complicated for them to do anything with.

Charlotte pulled a paper napkin from the dispenser and laid it in her lap. “You’re sayin’ that my friends talk about me behind my back?”

“Let’s discuss Belinda and this new thing with her and the church. Do you honestly think that the whole town doesn’t know that she’s pregnant and that her two daughters do not belong to Lonnie? You can’t tell me that the Belles haven’t been talkin’ about her. Don’t you think that when she’s in the room, you become the headline of the day instead?”

“They wouldn’t do that. How did you know about Belinda?” Charlotte asked.

“Yes, they would, and everyone knows. Come on, Mama, do you have real friends?” Jennie Sue asked.

“Maybe not, but I’m comfortable in my world, no matter how mixed-up and crazy it is.” Charlotte caught someone actually taking a picture of her with a phone and waved. “You really think we might show up on a magazine cover?”

“Hell, no!” Jennie Sue sputtered. “We, and by that I mean you, are just a big fish in a mud puddle. You’ve got to be a whale in an ocean for anyone outside West Texas to give a damn about what or who you do.”

“I might learn to like this new daughter you are becoming,” Charlotte said. “The Wilshire women are probably turning over in their graves, but I like your frankness.”

“Thank you.” She wished she had that huge compliment from her mother written in calligraphy on fancy paper so she could frame it. Or better yet, engraved on stone to display proudly on a marble pedestal in her little apartment.

Charlotte only ate half a hamburger and two french fries, but that was a lot for her, so Jennie Sue didn’t push the issue. When they’d finished, the sun had pushed the dark clouds away and was shining brightly.

“Don’t you love the smell of fresh rain?” Jennie Sue said as they walked back to the bookstore.

“It’s so muggy that I’m sweating off my makeup,” Charlotte answered. “I’m not coming inside. I’ve got a committee meeting for a fund-raiser this afternoon. We are raising money for the next annual tea for the senior girls at the high school. I remember when you went to that tea. Your lovely blue dress may still be in your closet at home.”

“That was a long time ago.” Jennie Sue gave her mother a quick side hug. “Have a great afternoon and, Mama, I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Charlotte got into her car.

Jennie Sue was stunned speechless by the response. Charlotte had only said that a few times, and those had been when Jennie Sue was a little girl. She waved until the Cadillac turned three blocks down Main Street, and then she opened the store door and flipped the sign. She sank down on the sofa and shut her eyes, replaying her mother’s words several more times before she made herself get up and go back to work.

A bright ray of light showed how dirty the two front display windows were. A cute little bistro table with two chairs and a selection of books scattered on top sat in one bay window. At one time the other one had held a wingback chair with a book lying on it, but now it was a jumbled mess of boxes and books.

“I should have started there first,” she said. “The windows should invite people inside the store, not make them wonder if we’re having a garage sale in here.”

She started for some cleaning supplies but hadn’t gone two steps when Dill poked his head inside the store. “Who’s having a garage sale, and who are you talking to?”

Good Lord! Both her parents in the same day, and one right on the heels of the other—this had to be a sign of some kind. Jennie Sue crossed the distance between them and hugged him tightly. “I’m thinkin’ out loud. Come in, Daddy. Can I get you a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet tea?”

“Don’t need a thing except to see my baby girl.” He took a step back. “How are things going? I heard you’ve been out at the Lawson farm messin’ around with Rick.”

She pulled him over to the worn sofa and made him sit beside her. “Did you come to fuss at me for falling in love with a farmer? Not that I have or will. It was just one kiss on the lips and one on the nose. I did kiss him on the cheek when I left, but that doesn’t count, either.”

“No, honey, I did not. I wouldn’t stand in your way no matter who you fall in love with. Just be sure it’s love and not rebellion. You never did go through that thing that other kids do when they’re teenagers. So be careful. What I came to talk to you about is different. I don’t want to leave town without you having some means of transportation and money. Please let me set up a checking account for you and give you a car,” he said.

She shook her head. “No, thank you, Daddy.”

“Okay, then, have it your way. But when we get home, we are going to discuss a job in the family business. You can start at the bottom and learn every facet of it from there on up to the CEO position, if that’s what you really want,” Dill said.

Her mother said that she loved her, and her dad was about to take her side and give her a job. Oh, yes, sir. This surely meant she was supposed to stay in Bloom.

“And what does Mama say about this?” she asked with caution.

“You let me worry about Charlotte,” Dill answered. “I’ll have a few days in Vegas to warm her up to the idea. And besides, she called me on her way home after you two had lunch and told me that she admired you for your determination. I think she’s comin’ around already. I’m glad that I didn’t sell the company last year after all.”

“You really thought about it? What did Mama say?” Jennie Sue asked.

“She threw a fit,” he admitted. “I’m ready to retire. I realize I’m not that old, but I’m tired of the stress. I’d hand the whole company over to you today if I could.”

For the first time, Jennie Sue could see that her father had aged more than normal in the last year. More lines etched his face, and his eyes looked tired.

“I don’t want money or a car right now, Daddy. I’m doin’ fine with my two jobs, and Miz Lettie lets me borrow her truck when I need it. I’ll think about your offer until you get home. I could use the time. There’s a fair amount of pride in working for what I need,” she said.

Dill moved closer to her and draped an arm around her shoulders. “What turned you this way?”

“Percy. I was dependent on him for a living, and had to do what he said or else disgrace the Wilshire name with a divorce. After he left me and I lost the baby, I made up my mind that I’d finish my degree and no one would ever control me like that again,” she answered.

He pulled her closer to his side. “I love you, Jennie Sue, and I’m so proud of you. If you don’t want the company job, I’ll support your decision in whatever you decide to do.”