I dropped the paper on the kitchen table and said, “G’morning! I’ll be right back.”

I all but ran to my room and threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and brushed my hair into a ponytail on top of my head. One of the few things Holly and I had in common was great hair. At least we were lucky about that. I hurried back to the kitchen, poured myself a cup of coffee, and sat at the table across from her.

“There’s an explanation,” I said and told her the whole story.

“You girls really are out of your minds. It will never work.”

“Why not?”

“Because according to Holly, he’s already in love with this horrible Sharon, whoever she is. What you need is a spy.”

“Why?”

“My dentist retired and moved to Florida. I need to find a new dentist. Get this woman’s last name and I’ll go see her, you know, nose around a bit. Save your virtue for the moment. Or at least try to. I’ll get the story on her. Go get your sister. We’ve got work to do.”

“Okay. But I’m bringing him dinner tonight,” I said.

“Then bring the boys over here to decorate cookies or something. That will give you some space to get a read on him. Your sister’s so naïve sometimes. She probably just saw them looking at each other with googly eyes. It’s a long way from googly eyes to the altar. Let me think this through a little bit. Leslie?”

“Yes?”

“This is the most exciting thing that’s happened around here in years!”

“Well, it certainly is a nice diversion for me. I have to get back in the game anyway. This is as good a place to start as any other.”

“Leslie?”

“Yes, Momma?”

“I know you. You’re hot-blooded. Try not to disgrace the family. Please?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

There was nothing like the safety and happiness of children to unite women in a cause, even if they had disparate personalities and goals. Holly, who stopped in to see about the kids after school, found Sharon’s business card on Archie’s desk and copied down the number and address for Momma. Momma made an appointment for the following day. Holly was shocked beyond belief that Momma was actually leaving the house and even more dumbfounded that she was getting involved in our scheme. I knew Momma’s life had become super dull since I married Charlie, but I kept that to myself. Holly was hurt enough as it was.

But Holly was a trouper. She worked her shift at Publix and brought home all the groceries we needed for a great meal.