Blue sat next to her and took in the drawing on the notebook page. As the men chattered in the background, April explained what she envisioned. “I don’t want this porch looking like it belongs on a broken-down fishing cabin. I see big sunburst windows set above the screening to let in plenty of light and moldings to break up all the height, but I’m not sure what kind.”

Blue thought it over and began sketching some simple trims.

“I like that one,” April said. “Can you draw the end wall for me? With the windows?”

Blue sketched each wall as April described it. They made some adjustments and came up with a more balanced arrangement. “You’re good at this,” April said when the workers headed outside for a cigarette break. “Would you mind doing some interior sketches for me? But maybe I’m assuming too much. I’m not exactly sure how long you’re staying or what your relationship is with Dean.”

“Blue and I are engaged,” Dean said from the doorway.

Neither of them had heard him approach. He set his empty coffee mug by the stove and walked over to pick up Blue’s sketch. “She’ll be staying as long as I’m here.”

“Engaged?” April said.

He didn’t look up from the sketch. “That’s right.”

Blue could barely resist rolling her eyes. This was an obvious gotcha on his part. He wanted to remind his mother how little she meant to him, to show her he hadn’t considered her important enough to let her know he was getting married. What a totally crappy thing to do to someone on her deathbed.

“Congrats.” April set down her pencil. “How long have you known each other?”

“Long enough,” he said.

Blue couldn’t keep pretending that what April had witnessed a few short hours ago hadn’t happened. “Last night was an aberration. Just so you know, I was fully clothed when I went to bed.”

April’s eyebrow formed a skeptical arch.

Blue tried to look demure. “I took a virginity vow when I was thirteen.”

“A what?” April asked.

Dean sighed. “She didn’t take a virginity vow.”

As a matter of fact, Blue had done exactly that, although even at thirteen she’d had her doubts about keeping it. But she’d long ago made her peace with God, if not Sister Luke, who’d coerced her into the whole thing. “Dean doesn’t agree, but I think a wedding night should mean something. That’s why I’m moving into the caravan tonight.”

He snorted. April gazed at Blue for a long time, then at him. “She’s…lovely.”

“That’s all right.” He set down the sketch. “You can say what you really think. Believe me, I’ve said a lot worse.”

“Hey!”