“Next week. We left our three-year-old home with Clinton’s mama. She adores him and Timmy thinks he’s on vacation when he gets to stay with his nana. It’s good to see you, Graham. I was always sorry that things didn’t work out between you and Rita, and I’ll be praying that y’all can forget the past and move on to a wonderful future together. There’s nothing like a close-knit family.”

“Not going to happen. Have a nice day.” Graham turned his back on them.

Clinton escorted Kayla away with his hand on the small of her back, and Paula turned to watch them. “She looks like she could go into labor any minute.”

“Yes, she does,” Mitzi said. “Do you feel okay? You are really pale.”

Paula sucked in a lungful of air and let it out slowly. “It’s a small world. I never thought I’d see Clinton again.”

“You did good,” Jody whispered.

“That was . . . oh, my, God,” Mitzi said.

Dixie had already pulled Graham a few feet away. Her hands were on her hips and Tabby shook a finger under his nose. Evidently they didn’t want Kayla’s prayers to reach God’s ears.

“We’ll talk about it when we get home,” Paula said. “I don’t want to say anything in front of Graham. He’s got his hands full. So let’s go finish up our shopping.”

“That’s not so easy right now,” Mitzi said.

“If you let Kayla or Rita get under your skin, then they’ll have power over you, and God might even hear those prayers.” Paula pushed the cart forward. “Girls, are y’all ready to help us design some cute napkins for the bridal fair?”

“This ain’t over,” Dixie told her dad.

“We’ll finish talkin’ when we get home,” Tabby said.

Graham reached out and laid a hand on Mitzi’s shoulder. “We should talk about this tomorrow.”

“I agree.” His touch sent all kinds of tingling vibes throughout her body, but if there was even the remotest chance that he still had a thing for Rita, then she should be fighting the attraction. “But for now we’ve got work to do, and I don’t want to ruin the day for the girls.”

“You’re amazing,” he whispered.

“Why would you say that?”

“You’re putting my girls first.” He dropped his hand and followed the others.

An hour later everything had been designed and ordered and they’d bought a new folding table. Graham carried it out to his truck and they parted ways—again the girls riding with him so there would be more space in the van.

“I wonder if there’ll be anything left of the inside of that truck when they get to Celeste.” Jody pulled the seat belt across her body.

Mitzi backed out of the parking space and headed out of town. “Why would you say that?”