“What will the doctors say?” I was fairly certain doctors frowned on visitors climbing into bed with their patients.

“Nothing. Frances has taken away their ability to say anything except, ‘yes, ma’am.’”

I climbed into the bed with my husband and rested my head on his shoulder.

He stroked my messy hair, and I snuggled closer.

I breathed him in. He might be tired, but he was whole and healthy. Only the bandage on his wrist and the paleness of his cheeks suggested he’d had a run-in with a snake. “Our next vacation, we’re going somewhere far away. No one we know. No one who speaks English.”

He chuckled. “You mean you didn’t have fun?”

“Fun?” I’d melted in the heat. Found two dead bodies. Been insulted by a crate. And ended up rolling in the dust with a murderer. “Are you kidding?”

The door opened, and Perry stuck his head through. “Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to invite Anarchy to our Thursday card game.” He looked over his shoulder as if he worried Mother would catch him disturbing us and snatch him baldheaded. "It’s a friendly game.” He winced. “Actually, it’s not that friendly. Larry plays like the fate of the world depends on him winning. And Dan chews on a cigar and eggs him on.”

I strongly suspected Dan was not alone in that.

“Insults are thrown. Bourbon is consumed. And everyone has fun. Except for Larry. You'd think someone who likes to win as much as he does would learn the rules. Can you come?” He looked at Anarchy expectantly.

“I’d like that.”

“Great. Seven o’clock. The men's grill at the club. See you there.” He glanced again over his shoulder, then stepped into the room. “I have to know. Did you ever suspect me?”

“Not for a moment,” I replied.

Perry directed a devilish grin at Anarchy and raised a questioning brow.

“What Ellison said.”

“Uhuh.” His grin widened. “You might want to work on that poker face before Thursday.”

I couldn’t let him leave. Not yet. “Perry, what Mother said about Thatch? She’s seldom wrong.”

“Already taken care of. But thank you for caring. You’re a good friend.” He winked, then withdrew before Mother could catch him.

“What did I get myself into with this card game?”

“No idea. Women aren’t allowed. Perry likes you.” As far as I knew, no new players had been added to the Thursday night group in years.

“I’m a likable guy.”

I tilted my head and kissed his jaw. “Yes, you are.” I’d worried about Anarchy fitting into my world. Seemed like he was doing just fine.

“What were we talking about before Perry came in?”

“Fun weekends. Which this was not.”

“Before that?”

“What your doctor would say if he found me in your bed.”

“Before that?”

“I don’t recall.” I would not incriminate myself.

“I told you to be careful.”