“That’s all I get?” Lily asked. “Just a grin and a nod?”

“Come on. We’ve been expecting it,” Teena told her. “We just knew if you ever came home even for a weekend visit that the two of you would hit it off.”

“It was just a kiss, and that doesn’t mean wedding bells,” Lily told them.

Sally opened her mouth to say something but didn’t get the first word out before the jingling bell above the door announced a customer.

“Good morning, Ruth-Ann!” Sally called out. “What brings you out in the middle of the week?”

Ruth-Ann came straight to the counter. “I had to run some school errands for Mr. Stewart and thought I’d stop in to buy more of Granny Hayes’s cute little earrings. They’re the big thing at school right now.” She adjusted the mirror beside the display so she could see herself, and held one up to her ear.

She held up another earring. “I like these better. I heard that Holly had a falling-out with the Sanchez twins, and that Holly is now best friends with Faith Torres.” Ruth-Ann laid two pairs of earrings on the counter and fumbled in her purse for her credit card. “I would never have put those two together. I guess opposites really do attract.”

“I guess they do.” Lily exhaled slowly.

“Is Holly devastated that she won’t get to go to the quinceañera party?” Ruth-Ann asked.

“Not in the least.” Lily rang up the sale and ran the credit card. “And I’m really glad, since I don’t have to buy a fancy dress for her to wear.”

“I went to one for Janie Green when I was fifteen,” Ruth-Ann sighed. “It was even better than our high school proms or the school Christmas party we throw for the teachers every year.”

Teena headed for the door. “I’m showing a house at nine, so I have to be going. See y’all later.”

The minute Teena was out the door, Ruth-Ann leaned across the counter and whispered, “I also heard that Ryder Smith is getting married real soon because his girlfriend is pregnant. Do y’all know the date?”

Lily shrugged as she handed Ruth-Ann the sales slip to sign. “Thank you. I know Granny Hayes will be tickled that her earrings are selling so well.”

“They’re really cute.” Ruth-Ann headed toward the door, then turned back. “We really must do lunch or go shopping sometime, Lily.”

Lily nodded but didn’t commit to anything. She eased down into the chair that Teena had vacated, and sighed. “I told Mack about the kids in confidence.”