Lovey had the booking ledger at the table with her when they brought out her sandwich.

“Thanks,” she said, and took a bite before returning to the pages for the rest of the month, checking the reservations already in place and, as usual, talking to herself when she did the books.

“Okay, today is Monday, so Lions Club is tomorrow at noon, but they always eat whatever the special is for the day so no special cooking. There’s the baby shower Friday night, but all they want is cake and drinks. The Preston family’s sweet sixteen party for their daughter is Saturday night. Tuesday is too soon. Not enough time to get that much food together. Wednesday night is church for about half the town, so Thursday it is.”

She wrote down the new entry—Party, 6:00 p.m.—and grinned. This news was going to blow the roof off every house in town. The only thing left to do for now was notify Sully and Melissa. She scrolled through her Contact list for the new number she entered earlier and then sent a text.

* * *

Ruby was in the act of closing the Curl Up and Dye for the day when she got a text from Lovey.

Sister, I need to talk to you. Won’t be done until 9:30 or so. Is that too late to come by?

Ruby’s heart skipped a beat. Lovey was the sister she’d never had, and this kind of a text was a first. Something must be wrong. She quickly replied.

It’s never too late for you, honey. See you later.

Worried now, she locked up and headed home.

* * *

The time flew by for Lovey in a way like never before, but then she’d never had such a wonderful story to tell. She locked the doors at straight-up nine. Her cleaning crew was already at work in the back, and when she gave them the thumbs-up, part of them started in the dining room as well. By the time they left, Granny’s would be shining and ready for another day.

Lovey picked up her night-deposit bag, turned off the lights, and headed out. She drove straight to the bank to drop off the night deposit, tossed a piece of biscuit at the ratty tomcat, then drove to Peanut and Ruby’s.

All of the outside lights were on at their place as she pulled up into the drive. Ruby appeared on the porch to greet Lovey before she was halfway up the path.

“Thank you for waiting for me,” Lovey said as they hugged on the porch and then went inside.

“Of course,” Ruby said, and then asked, “Is Peanut part of this?”

“Yes. Wives don’t keep secrets from husbands,” Lovey said. “Where is that handsome dude?”

“I’m right here,” Peanut said as he walked up behind her in the hall. “Ruby said this felt like an ‘across the kitchen table’ kind of night. Was she right?”

Lovey grinned. “That’s where all the news is shared. Lead the way, and I need a drink.”