“Surely Shawn could do without Creek for a couple of hours, and Connor could get out of school a little early? Or maybe Teacher would stay at the gas station. There’s not ever a time when everyone is off work. I thought about Sunday, but that’s Madonna’s big day at Home Cookin, and Rev would never come then, though his service is over early. Starts at nine thirty, but he’s usually done in half an hour.”

“He has a church service? Where?”

“In the chapel,” she said, astonished that no one else in Midnight seemed to have learned this. “Where else? He has a nondenominational service in there every Sunday morning.”

Bobo gaped at her. “I had no idea. And it’s not on the sign. Does anyone ever go to it?”

“I do, pretty often. Though I’m not exactly a Christian. Once in a blue moon, someone else will come, someone he’s helped. But hold on, we’ve gotten off topic. Let’s circle back around to the picnic plan.”

“That might be a nice outing. I haven’t hiked over there in a long time. Since . . .” His voice trailed off.

Since before Aubrey left you. She restrained herself from gritting her teeth and growling. “We ought to do it. That would be nice for the new guy. Manfred.”

“You like him?” Bobo asked.

Fiji looked at him uncertainly. Was Bobo teasing her? Did he seriously believe she would enjoy, at twenty-eight, having a crush on the new kid in school?

After a second, she decided there were no overtones. Bobo was making a casual inquiry . . . at least, she was fairly sure. “He seems okay,” she said. “Unusual job, unusual guy. Lemuel sure took a shine to him.”

“Really?” Bobo looked surprised. “Huh. That’s good, I guess.”

She nodded. “I thought so.”

“Too bad Lem can’t go to the picnic, then.” Bobo appeared to be considering. “Nah, we couldn’t have it at night,” he concluded. “There’s no light out there at all. Even if we went on a full-moon night, it would be too dark to hike out there. Picnics are a daytime thing.”

“So we just need to pick a day and ask people,” she said. “What about next Monday? A week from yesterday? I’ll ask around.”

“Sure, great,” Bobo said. He did seem to be a little happier. “I can bring the beer and some soda.” He looked down at his watch. “I better go open the store. Not that anyone hardly ever comes in this early.”