“It’s noon? Man, the morning went fast.” Jody pulled a cooler out from under the table. They’d packed sandwiches, apples, and chips but hadn’t brought anything to drink. Dixie immediately volunteered to go outside to one of the many vendors and get drinks for everyone.

“I’ll go with you,” Mitzi said. “You can’t carry in five drinks all by yourself and besides, I need to stretch my legs.”

“While we’re waiting on them, I’m taking a bathroom break,” Paula said. “We’ve been so busy answering questions and booking appointments that I couldn’t get away. But there seems to be a lull right now.”

“They’ll hit us hard at one o’clock. The latecomers arrive then.” Glenda and her assistants moved back a few feet, circled their chairs, and dove into a bucket of fried chicken.

“I’m going with Paula,” Tabby said. She leaned down to whisper in Jody’s ear, “Next time we do one of these, let’s make a stop by the fried chicken place. That stuff smells wonderful.”

“It’s something to think about, for sure,” Jody said. “But we’ve got some amazing chicken salad sandwiches.” A customer walked up to the table but didn’t stick around long when she found out they only worked for size fourteen and up. Jody was putting out the food when she heard boots on the hardwood floor. When the footsteps stopped, Jody turned around to see who it was.

“Hello, may I help you?” she asked as she locked gazes with Lyle and her stomach sank.

“Hello, Jody.” His tone dripped icicles.

“What are you doing here?” Her chest tightened. Pain shot through her temples, and her hands shook.

Kennedy looped her arm into Lyle’s. “Honey, they don’t sell cakes, and I don’t need a wedding dress for our big ranch reception. What we need to look at is centerpieces for the tables and a cake. And I like this one right here.”

Jody’s hands knotted into fists. There was nothing she’d like better than grabbing a few of those sugar roses and hurling them at Kennedy. Or maybe just forgetting all about the girl and rocking Lyle’s jaw with her fist.

“Isn’t he just the sweetest husband ever to come to one of these affairs with me?” Kennedy crooned. “Now let’s move over a table, darlin’, and look at pretty cakes.”

She tugged on his arm, and he followed without a backward glance. Jody thought she’d gotten past the anger stage, but the way her fingernails dug into her palms told a different story. She imagined smashing the whole container of chicken salad into Lyle’s face, especially when he agreed Kennedy should order that huge cake.