“This is my first usual stop Monday morning. Have to catch up on everything with Sally. Your mama and I used to have coffee out at her place every Monday morning. When she passed and Sally put in the store, I started coming here. It helped, and now that you’re here”—Polly gave her a quick hug—“it’s almost like Vera is back with me. If I don’t see you before then, I’ll be back next week.” She put on her jacket and picked up the thermos. “If you need anything or even want to talk, just give me a call.”

“I appreciate that, and thanks for everything.” Lily stood up, gave Polly another hug, and walked her to the door.

She had a couple of browsers in the middle of the morning, and then a very serious buyer right after that. She felt better after she’d rung up a $500 sale for a few pieces of antique crystal. At noon, she was about to have another doughnut when Teena breezed into the shop.

“You might not recognize me because I haven’t been much of a friend since you came home,” she teased as she took off a long black leather coat, “but I’m Teena.”

“I guess I haven’t been such a good friend, either, because I haven’t called you. Everything has been crazy what with getting the kids settled in and school, and the fancy new job.” Lily giggled and took Teena’s coat, hung it on a rack just inside the door, and motioned toward the doughnuts. “We’ve got instant coffee if you want some.”

“No thanks on the coffee. I like sweet tea better. I just talked to Sally. She said to tell you she’s bringing pizza for dinner today.” Teena crossed the floor in a few long strides—Lily had always envied Teena’s long legs—and hopped up on the counter. “It’s been hectic at home and at the real estate business. I haven’t even been to church in two weeks because I had property to show on Sunday morning, so let’s catch up. What’s this I hear about you and Mack dating?”

“We’ve got to start getting together at least once a month like we did when I was in Austin.” Lily sidestepped the question about Mack.

Teena shook her head. “We don’t have to do that. I’m in and out of this place a couple of times a week. Sometimes I bring lunch with me; sometimes Sally has it delivered. We’ll be seeing each other more now that you’re here every day and my crazy world has settled down. Kudos on the new job. Sally’s needed help for quite a while now.”

The bell above the door jingled, and both women looked that way. Lily even inhaled deeply to see if she could catch a whiff of pizza, but it wasn’t Sally.