“Did you include some of your yummy biscuits and pie?” Hope asked.

Mercy laughed. “Yes, and please give Melissa my love. I’m so sorry she was hurt, but very grateful she’s going to recover, and much easier than you did.”

The conversation turned serious. “I would not have recovered at all if you hadn’t responded to that call,” Hope said.

Mercy nodded. “And I would still be waiting tables at the Road Warrior Bar in Savannah and would never have known you existed.”

“All things happen when they’re supposed to,” Hope said, and gave Mercy a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks again for bringing this by.”

Mercy let herself out as Hope carried the food into the kitchen, then went back to the bedroom.

Melissa was watching television with the sound on mute as Hope walked in.

Melissa looked up. “Did I hear someone at the door?”

Hope nodded. “Lovey sent supper, and Mercy brought it by. Are you hungry?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to eat in bed. I’ll get up.”

“Awesome. Moving will help keep you from getting so stiff. I don’t know what she sent, but it’s in the kitchen.”

“I’ll wash up,” Melissa said.

“I’ll wait. We can walk to the kitchen together,” Hope said as Melissa got out of bed.

Hope set out a pair of house shoes, and Melissa stepped into them when she came out.

Hope smiled. “Now let’s go see about supper.”

As soon as Melissa was seated at the kitchen table, Hope poured her a glass of sweet tea, then got out plates and flatware before taking out the containers.

“Looks like fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and biscuits. Do you think it will hurt to chew? You have a pretty-good-sized bruise on your jaw.”

“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out,” Melissa said.

Hope grinned. “Do you have butter in your refrigerator?”

“In the door,” Melissa said, and began removing the lids from the containers.

She scooped out a serving of mashed potatoes and gravy, then a serving of green beans. She chose a chicken thigh from the assortment of pieces and held out her plate so Hope could put a buttered biscuit on it.

After getting Melissa comfortable, Hope sat down across the table from her and made her own plate.

“Girl time is always good,” Hope said. “You need to come out to the farm sometime. I’m not as good a cook as Mercy, but I haven’t killed anybody yet.”

Melissa grinned.

“So, what do you think about your hero Sully Raines? I hear you two grew up together,” Hope said.

Melissa looked up. “What do you mean?”

“He’s obviously good-looking, and you told me he asked you out for coffee. Are you going to take him up on that?”

Melissa blushed. “I don’t know, but he’s probably married. It feels weird even thinking about it. I have not had a date since Andy died.”

Hope paused. “Seriously? How long has that been?”