And now Cassidy was coming over for pizza. Pizza and wine. Or maybe a cocktail with Coke. At least her mother would be there as a buffer. That is, if her mother would behave.

“Don’t make any innuendos, either.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And it goes without saying…never mention the binoculars.”

“You should come clean on that in case I slip.”

“I will not come clean on that! And she’s having two friends over tomorrow for dinner. I just hope it’s not any that I’ve seen naked.”

“Laura Sue, when would you have seen them naked?”

Laura rolled her eyes. “Through the binoculars, Mother.”

“You’ve spied on them when they’ve been naked?” Her voice lowered. “Have you seen Cassidy naked?”

Laura blushed head to toe and spun away from her mother’s laugh.

“Does she know you’ve seen her naked?”

“I only saw her breasts when she took her bra off. At least I had the good sense to not use the binoculars.” She rubbed her head. “Please…not a word. You’re stressing me out.”

“You have a crush on her. You should just tell her.”

“I’m thirty-eight years old. I do not have a crush!”

“Then what do you call it?”

“I don’t call it anything. We’re friends.” She held a chair out for her mother and moved the walker out of the way. “What would you like to drink?”

“I’ll take a Coke with a splash of bourbon in it.”

Laura stared at her. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Loose lips sink ships.”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Laura Sue. I won’t say anything to her. Although I don’t know what the big secret is. She can probably tell you have a crush on her.”

“I swear, Mom! You’re going to push me over the edge,” she threatened.

Her mother shook her head. “Kids nowadays.”

“I’m not a kid.”

“Well, you’re certainly acting like one.”

Laura blew out her breath. “I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

Her mother smiled teasingly. “Oh, I’m just having some fun with you. We’ve got to stay on Cassidy’s good side. I’m enjoying my water therapy too much. We don’t want her to ban us from the pool or anything.”

“She wouldn’t dare. I’ll let all her flowers die.” She poured a smidgeon of bourbon over ice, then smiled and added a little more before dousing it with Coke. “Here you go.”

“What are you having?”

“I’ll wait for Cassidy,” she said. “Pizza should be here in about ten minutes.” A knock on the back door made her heart jump a little wildly in her chest. “And she’s here now.” She walked past her mother and squeezed her shoulder. “Behave,” she murmured.