“If they can make up and be happy, it’ll be worth it,” Jody said. “But I’m disappointed y’all didn’t hurt Clinton, the sorry bastard, a little bit. You could have at least used the butt of the gun to wreck his balls.”

“I just want him to disappear so I can get on with my life. Things are getting quiet in there. Think it’s safe to peek around the corner?” Paula said.

Jody pushed back her chair and leaned around the doorframe for a look. “They’re kissing. We don’t have to offer to let Ellie Mae move in with us.”

“I would have vetoed that,” Paula said. “She’s way too dramatic for me to put up with her for more than an hour or two. When they get done making out and leave, let’s forget about sewing. I want to go upstairs, bring up a movie on Netflix, and forget about all this crap.”

“Amen to that.” Jody had barely taken a seat again and picked up her fork when Ellie Mae and Darrin came into the room, holding hands and having trouble taking their eyes off each other.

“The wedding is back on,” Ellie Mae said. “We’ve got it all worked out—Darrin has got a promotion and we’re transferring to Dumas, Texas, right after the wedding. We don’t know anyone there, so it’ll be a brand-new start for both of us.”

“That’s great,” Jody said. “See you Friday for a fitting?”

“I’ll be here, and thanks to you all for the support today,” she said.

“And for letting me come inside.” Darrin grinned sheepishly. “I acted like a jerk, and I know it.”

“Yes, you did,” Mitzi said. “But we don’t drown men or shoot them for one mistake. After that it gets kind of iffy.”

He leaned down and kissed Ellie Mae on the forehead. “Yes, ma’am. It won’t happen again. I almost ruined the best thing in my life because of my pride. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“See y’all in a few days,” Ellie Mae said as they left by the back door and passed Fanny Lou coming inside.

“Well, now if that wasn’t downright weird,” she said. “Ellie Mae looked like she’d been crying and yet was the happiest person alive. So what’s happening?”

“Which story do you want first? The one about my baby daddy, or Jody’s new boyfriend, or the one about Mitzi kissing Graham?” Paula asked.

“Or maybe you’d rather hear about Ellie Mae?” Mitzi kicked Paula under the table.