“I don’t cry very often. Doing it pretty must come only with practice.”

Julie drew out a bottle of wine and unearthed Erin’s corkscrew from the flatware drawer. “Just hang on, sweetie. A glass of vino and all the chocolate you can eat will make you feel better. I also got rocky road ice cream and takeout from Chopstick Suey. Your favorites: sesame chicken, orange chicken, spring rolls, and fried rice. Not a vegetable in sight. Well, little vegetable bits in the spring rolls, maybe, but otherwise dinner will be a heart attack waiting to happen. Just the way you like it when you blow your diet.”

With a hollow plunk, she popped the cork out of the wine bottle, grabbed two goblets from a shelf above her head, and poured their wine without ceremony. After handing Erin a glass, she said, “Bottoms up. I’ve never met a bottle of wine yet that can’t cure all my problems, at least temporarily.”

Erin clinked her glass against Julie’s. “To good friends who come running with chocolate and wine.” Forcing a smile, she lifted her goblet. “Here’s to you, and here’s to me. Best of friends we’ll always be.”

“I’ve heard that toast. Don’t say the rest, or I’ll take my goodies and go home.”

With a laugh, Erin helped put place settings on the table. Normally, she didn’t bother, but Julie was a stickler for proper food presentation. They sat across from each other and began opening takeout cartons. Afternoon sunlight slanted through the bay window to splash gold over the tabletop.

“Yum.” Erin knew her voice sounded flat, but she couldn’t help it. “Give me a few minutes. If I talk about it now, I’ll cry in my orange chicken.”

Julie took a big swallow of wine. “Do not cry just yet. I want to have my mouth full of melting milk chocolate before you start. I can handle almost anything then.”

That drew a genuine laugh from Erin. “Before I cry, I want a full tummy. I was too upset at the reception to eat. I didn’t even try my potato salad, and it’s my favorite recipe.”

“I tried it.” Julie gave her a thumbs-up. “Phenomenal.”

“I left it in the trunk of my car,” Erin said.

“Oh, no! It’ll get warm and ruin!” Julie shot up from the chair. “I’ll go get it.”

“You can’t. My car is at the Timing Light. The fuel pump cocked up its toes after I left the ranch. Then, thanks to Wyatt, the whole front end got smashed, so now it’ll need body work, too. Buck offers payment plans, thank God.”

Julie slowly resumed her seat. “Smashed? How did that happen?”

Erin held up a hand. “I’ll tell you about it as soon as I can blubber on a full stomach.”

When they finished eating, they adjourned to the living room and sat in two recliners turned slightly toward each other with an end table between them. Julie had brought the wine, Erin the goblets, and they were all set for a hen session.