Mary Beth turned her head, surprised by Alma’s obvious anger. She waited for the other woman to say something, but Alma didn’t. Her lips thinned and she stared straight ahead.

Without comment, Mary Beth pulled back onto the road and pressed down on the accelerator.

“Sorry about that. Not exactly a picnic spot, was it?”

Alma relaxed fractionally once the motel was behind them. Mary Beth could no longer see it in her rearview mirror, which meant Alma couldn’t see it in the side mirror either.

“Keep going. We can avoid Brickell if you take a left on the road just ahead. There’s a campground by the river about a mile out with tables and a comfort station.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Mary Beth slowed to make the turn, not inquiring why it was that Alma wanted to avoid Brickell. If she wanted to explain, she would, in her own good time.

Sheila had returned from the flea market by the time they pulled into her driveway, sated and a little sleepy from their outdoor meal. But Alma perked up again the second she saw her old friend on the porch, waving a welcome. The dogs were at her side, doing the same thing with their tails.

“I bought a peach pie,” Sheila trilled. “How about we have some with fresh coffee?”

“Save me a slice,” Alma said, getting out of the car and walking to her with the aid of her cane. “We ate too much as it is.”

“Where’d y’all go?”

“Down by the river. We had ourselves a picnic. But I would love a cup of coffee.”

“How about you, Mary Beth?”

She helped Alma up the stairs and went back, calling to Sheila. “None for me, thanks. I’m just going to take a minute and clean out the car.”

“You bet.”

The two older women went inside and Mary Beth slipped into the passenger seat. What she wanted to do was call Bobby Joe. He’d know the story behind the deserted motel. She located her phone in her purse but held it for a moment before she dialed his number.

He might not tell her. Maybe she should ask Parr.

Mary Beth paused to scroll through her messages. There was nothing new. She checked her missed calls, just in case he hadn’t left a voice mail. She didn’t see Bobby Joe’s number.

Oh well. It wasn’t like she had called him to see how he was doing. Alma was right about the two of them needing time apart. But she hadn’t guessed just how frustrated and fed-up Mary Beth was.

At this point, Bobby Joe was probably happiest without her around. She felt the same way.