“I thought we might get a bucket of chicken and head that way soon as we change clothes,” Graham said.

Tabby peeked out from around her sister. “Yes,” she said as she raised a hand to high-five with Dixie.

“We’ll pick you up in twenty minutes.” Graham winked.

“I’ll be ready,” Mitzi said.

Mitzi hit the back door in a run and then took the stairs two at a time on her way up to her bedroom.

“Whoa!” Paula called out from the living room. “What’s the rush?”

“Graham invited me to go out on the boat again. I promise I’ll work right along with Jody to catch up on the orders in the evenings next week. Y’all want to go along?” Mitzi pulled her dress up over her head and tossed it toward the bed.

“No, thank you. Fanny Lou is coming over. We’re going to lunch in Greenville, and then we’re going to look at cribs. I saw two I liked yesterday, but I thought it would be fun if she helped pick it out since she’s volunteered to be the grandmother.” Paula followed Mitzi into her bedroom and sat on the edge of her bed. “And then I do plan to put in a few hours in the sewing room this afternoon. Who would have ever thought one bridal fair would bring in a dozen orders, and that many more appointments?”

“I thought we might get a couple,” Mitzi said. “I’m blown away by it. And we’re already on the list for next year. We may have to hire more than one more seamstress if this keeps up.”

She stopped in her tracks and her chest tightened. “Something just dawned on me. I stopped taking birth control a month after my last boyfriend, and we didn’t use a bit of protection yesterday.”

“So you did have sex?” Paula laughed. “Not that I’m surprised one little bit. You were glowing this morning at breakfast. Jody and I will expect the details on that when you tell us your fairy tale tonight.”

“The fairy tale might turn into something very different if I’m pregnant,” Mitzi said.

“I can tell you all about that.” Paula handed her a bottle of perfume from the dresser. “At least you’re not pregnant by a bastard like Clinton if you are, and, honey, I was on the pill. They’re only like 99.7 percent effective. You could be a fertile Myrtle like me and wind up with a baby even when you’re taking it.”

“Remind me to make an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. My prescription has run out, I’m sure.” When she finished jerking on a pair of khaki shorts and a cool cotton blouse, Mitzi sprayed a little perfume in the air and walked through it.

“You look great,” Paula said.