Lola clapped her hands in delight. “And the show goes on,” she said.

“Give ’em hell,” Mandy said.

Not to be outdone, Anthony said, “Break a leg!”

“You make it sound like I’m going…oh, never mind. Do I look all right?”

“You look fabulous, sweetie. Remember what I said, when you look good, you feel good, and you come out on top. Plus, you smell heavenly.”

“That’s all fine and well and good, but what is it you think I can accomplish? Why am I doing this again?”

“Go!”

Atlas barked as he was led out the kitchen door. The time was 7:58.

“Now we wait,” Lola said as she poured warm syrup over her pancakes.

It was eleven minutes past eight when Cady walked into the bakery. The place was jammed, so much so she had to take a number. The soda-fountain tables were filled with mothers who had just dropped their children off at school and were there for two reasons only, to gossip and to eat the sugary sweets. The double line at the bakery counter was full of businessmen dressed in suits and ties and late-morning joggers in sweats and sneakers. She waited patiently, aware of eyes boring into her back. The big question was, what to buy. It wasn’t until she placed her order and was about to walk over to the cash register that she realized she hadn’t brought her purse with her. Her face turned fire red.

“Allow me. It’s the least I can do,” Boomer Ward said quietly.

“Boomer! Oh, thank you. I can’t believe I left my purse in the car. If you follow me outside, I’ll give you back the money. Hey, I’ll share what I bought. My dog’s in the car, though.”

“Ozzie is in my car, too. We could sit on a bench outside and eat these great-looking apple turnovers. One more coffee,” he said loudly.

“That sounds like a plan. Oh, look, there’s Amy.” She smiled and waved, as Amy glowered. She did wave a limp hand in her direction, however.

Outside in the early-morning sunshine, Boomer cupped her elbow in his hand and guided her to a bench outside the bakery. “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I don’t know what the hell got into Ozzie. Tell me how much I owe you for the dress, and I’ll give you the money. By the way, you don’t stink. You smell as good as you did last night. I really am sorry, Cady.”

“It’s okay, Boomer. We both reacted to whatever it was with the dogs. I’m having a hard time thinking of you as Mac. I think you’ll always be Boomer to me.”

“Boomer’s fine. I like apple turnovers. The bakery has the best coffee in town. So, what did you think of the article in the paper?” He jerked his head backward. “They’re all buzzing in there, you know.”

Cady laughed. “I know.”

“I’d love to stay here and talk to you, but I have a meeting. I imagine they’re going to chew me out about the picture and want a detailed accounting of what went on last night. How about dinner tomorrow. I’ll leave Ozzie home if you leave your dog home. Now, how much do I owe you for the dress?”