That had been many weeks ago. “What exactly are you referring to?” Madison undid her seat belt. “We’re talking all the time.” Not that she minded. In the past, she hadn’t liked to talk much. Perhaps it hadn’t been the talking she didn’t like but the topics of conversation.

She and Sherry spoke about literally anything, especially about things that were important to them, like when Madison did something Sherry had a problem with or the other way around. It had taken some getting used to, but over time Madison had started seeing the benefits of talking about problems instead of ignoring them or drowning them in booze. Deep down, she even had to admit that she liked talking with Sherry. A positive side effect of it was that the more they spoke, the fewer misunderstandings they had and the more convincing they were as a family.

“Right?”

Madison blinked. “What was that?”

Sherry unbuckled her seat belt. “Have you heard anything I just said?”

“I, uh, yeah. But I’m not sure that I got it a—”

“Madison, admit that you haven’t listened.”

“I did. Really. Um…”

Sherry waved her off. “Save your breath.” She pushed open the passenger door. “I was talking about our agreement not to overdo it in public.”

“Overdo?”

Sherry raised her hand and ticked off the list on her fingers. “No passionate kissing, no groping, no sexual innuendos or—”

“Wait a minute. You make me sound like a pervert who can’t stop touching you.” Since Lillian’s birthday a few weeks ago, she and Sherry hadn’t kissed at all. And the only touches between them had been accidental—at work exchanging dishes or when she helped Sherry into her coat after their shifts. Or while they had been watching movies or playing board games with Jake or Rita Mae.

Now that she thought about it, she remembered more fleeting touches. Like when they passed each other in the hallway or the kitchen. And then there had been this one time when she’d woken up with her head on Sherry’s shoulder. Thankfully, Sherry hadn’t woken up to see it, and Madison had moved away instantly. Okay, maybe not as fast as she could have.

How strange that she could recall every single touch between them. In the past, she had never paid attention to things like that. But considering how sensitive Sherry was about touches, it probably made sense. “Haven’t I behaved like the perfect gentlewoman since we talked about it?”

“True, but except for working at the Archer, we haven’t been out in public together since.” Sherry exited the car and waited until Madison had gotten out too before she said, “I just wanted to mention it again.”

“You’ve made your point clear. Let’s go.”