Neither girl had made an attempt to hug their mother, but then she didn’t try to hug them, either, or even ask to help them. That left one reason she’d come out in the heat that morning—Graham.

“I’m sure they’re lovely.” Rita ignored the shoes and looped her arm into Graham’s. “I was going to ask if you’d like to stay for the wedding.”

“No, thank you.” Graham picked up her arm and dropped it. Then he moved close enough to Mitzi to drape an arm around her shoulders. “Mitzi and I’ve got plans for today.”

Oh, yes we do, Mitzi thought. And they do not involve being anywhere near you.

“I see. So that’s the way it is?” Rita grabbed the two shoe boxes and stomped back toward the building, her heels sounding like short little blasts from a .22 rifle with every step.

“Yes, it is,” Graham called out.

“Do we follow her, Daddy, or do we get to blow off this wedding and go with you and Mitzi today?” Dixie grinned.

“I’d like that a lot better than spending the day here,” Tabby said.

“Guess we better follow her, since y’all agreed to be part of this affair,” Graham said.

Rita disappeared inside a room and slammed the door behind her.

Tabby looked over her shoulder at her dad. “Maybe they wouldn’t even miss us.”

“A Harrison keeps her word. It’s too late to back out at this point.” Graham pushed his way inside the room, and the rest followed him.

Rita was uncorking a bottle of champagne over to their right. She poured a glass to the brim and drank down half of it before she turned around to her daughters. “We’ve set you up at the end of that table. If there’s time, the professional makeup lady will take care of you.”

“We do our own makeup, Mother,” Dixie said. “The lady can use all her time on y’all.”

“Could I have a word in private with you, Mitzi?” Rita asked. “In the ladies’ room?”

“Of course,” Mitzi said.

Graham laid a hand on Mitzi’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Oh, yeah, I do.” Mitzi kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.” She would do her best to keep things civil, but she couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be a few drops of blood on the bathroom floor.

“Then I’ll wait right here.” Graham sat down in a chair by the door.

The girls were both busy setting out their makeup kits and didn’t even notice when Mitzi followed Rita across the room and into a bathroom. Rita went straight to the mirror and, using her fingertips, fluffed up her long blonde hair. Mitzi leaned against the door and waited.

“Well?” Rita finally flipped around and glared at her.