Alma chuckled. “I never did myself. I don’t like worms or sitting in a boat in the broiling sun. Whew. Just thinking about it makes me tireder than I already am.”

It had been about all Mary Beth could do to not jump up and take over the job of tidying up the already clean kitchen. Alma had insisted on helping out. There wasn’t a speck of grease or a crumb in sight, and all the dishes had been put away.

“I hope he gets whatever’s bugging him out of his system. Sometimes I think I indulged Bobby Joe too much when I was raising those boys,” Alma said thoughtfully. “Even before the accident, he didn’t seem to be as grown up as Parr was at the same age.”

Mary Beth nodded politely. She didn’t want to get into it, not on such a scorching day. The air conditioners were set on maximum but the house still felt a little too warm. At least she could wear a scoop neck tank without having to worry about the ruby necklace being remarked on. Though she missed it, now that the chain was broken.

She was still going to have it fixed. Just not at the jeweler’s in Iminga.

Alma finished wiping imaginary spots and eased herself into a chair, heaving a sigh of satisfaction.

“There. Nice to be able to sit down in something that isn’t a wheelchair.” She smiled. “I like being able to walk on my own. Slow and sure, that’s me.”

The blood clot at the base of her spine had diminished and then vanished. Most of the time Alma didn’t need her cane.

“Please don’t overdo it.”

Alma winked at Mary Beth. “That’s not likely with you around watchin’ and worryin’. But I like to make myself useful.”

“You don’t have to do a thing in our house,” Mary Beth reminded her. “But if you insist . . .”

“It’s good for me.” Alma looked out the window as if her mind was elsewhere for a few moments. “Now, Mary Beth, you can say no, but I did want to ask you a favor.”

“Go right ahead.”

Alma folded her arms and leaned on the table. “I had a mind to go out to Brickell, the town where the boys and I used to live.”

“Oh.” Mary Beth was startled by the idea.

“Would you like to go? I’ve been meaning to get my affairs in order—” She broke into laughter at the expression on Mary Beth’s face. “Don’t worry. I plan to be around to annoy everyone for years to come. I’m not dying.”

“I didn’t mean to suggest that.”