“Not a clue. One minute they seemed ready to steam themselves straight—I’ve never seen so many passionate glances between two people. The next thing I know—whoosh—John is gone and Leigh is depressed. Kids. They can’t even get a simple marriage right.”

“The printer can add wedding to the invitations, can’t he?” Kate asked.

“I think we’re past all that. I’m picking them up tomorrow, and the party’s in two weeks. But I could sure get on the phone.”

“Well,” Peg said, “what if you fake a real heart attack and make Leigh’s marriage to John your dying wish?”

“I feel guilty enough just faking a heart condition. Last time I had a physical the doctor asked me if I’d be an organ donor.” Jess sighed. “I’m thinking of coming clean about the whole thing.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Leigh said. She stood just inside the kitchen doorway. “Oh, Mom, how could you be so sneaky?”

“Leigh!” Jess had the good grace to slap a palm against her chest as though a coronary might be impending after all—but Leigh was unimpressed.

“Shame on you, Mom. As if my problems aren’t tough enough.”

“I was trying to help,” Jess said.

“She was,” said Peg, ever so earnest. “She honestly was!”

“Peg put her up to it,” Kate tattled.

“Abby was the one who actually got the idea,” Peg confided.

“Oh, stop it,” Leigh said. “You’re all giving new meaning to the term busybody.” She shook her head. “Shame on you all.”

“Leigh,” Jess said. “I am sorry, darling. I’m ashamed of myself.”

“What were you thinking of?”

“I was thinking that you and John are perfect for each other, and I got a little…a little… ”

“Carried away,” Peg said. “But it’s mostly my fault, Leigh. I egged her on.”

“Me too,” said Abby.

“I warned her from the start,” Kate said.

“You should all be grounded,” Leigh said, exasperated. “No wonder he ran for his life.”

“But why, Leigh?” Jess asked. “What happened?”

“Oh, forget that! I’d be a fool to give you any encouragement at all! I’ll be out for a while longer. I want to take a little think-time. Watch the boys?”

“Of course, Leigh,” Jess murmured. She just stared at the doorway until she could hear the sound of the car. Then she turned to her friends. “When I figure out which one of you talked me into this… ”

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Fishing,” Leigh mumbled, driving along a narrow, mountainous road. It just figured.