“We had to rescue him from Shep and Beau. They believe in sharing the love, as you know.” Sheila’s comment was addressed to Mary Beth, who smiled in return. “And hey, thanks for filling up the basket,” Sheila added.

“Oh, it was fun. The garden is amazing.”

“It’s out of control. Alma, are there more tomatoes?”

“Two,” Alma said, looking into the basket. “No, three. Mary Beth, would you like a sandwich? We had lunch in town.”

“Sure.”

In five minutes, she was seated across from Parr, not meeting his gaze as they both ate. The two other women did most of the talking. Parr finished ahead of Mary Beth and took his paper plate to the trash can.

What a good boy. If they only knew. Mary Beth turned her head to chat with Alma instead of looking at Parr. “How was the flea market?”

“All my stuff sold fast,” Sheila announced. She was making ice tea from a powdered mix in a pitcher filled with ice cubes and water. She moved to the sink to rinse the long spoon. “Mary Beth, are these your rings?”

“Ah—yes.” Mary Beth looked at Alma, forcing down a flash of guilt before she spoke. “I took them off before I went into the garden.”

Sheila picked up the glittering rings and held them out in her palm. “Here you go. You don’t want to lose those.”

Mary Beth slipped them on, avoiding Parr’s gaze as long as she could. The conversation turned to other things and she joined in. When she looked at him again, his expression was serious.

He looked into her eyes, then down. Mary Beth reached up a hand and touched her neck. He had to be thinking of the ruby pendant. She hadn’t gotten a chance to tell him it was broken. He hadn’t noticed at the pool, but maybe he’d assumed she wouldn’t wear it in the water.

If he had given it a thought at all. The searing sensuality of that encounter came back in a rush.

Mary Beth got up, confused and too warm to stay in the kitchen. She’d finished her sandwich anyway and did the same as Parr, taking her paper plate to the trash can.

“That was delicious,” she said to Alma. “And now I’d better find my phone. Will you all excuse me for a bit?”

“Of course, honey. We’ll be out on the porch.” Sheila set several glasses on a tray and added the pitcher of tea. “Come on, Parr. It’s your turn to get me caught up on your life. Alma says you’re involved in a bunch of new business ventures. Are you rich yet?”

“Working on it.”

After dinner was served and the dishes done, Alma and Sheila stayed inside to watch a tearjerker movie as Parr and Mary Beth wandered out to the porch. They took either end of the wicker sofa.

“You stay on your side,” Mary Beth murmured. “And I’ll stay on mine. I don’t want to tempt fate.”