“Dr. Grant? John? This is Patty-Cake, in case you don’t recognize my voice. I’m worried about you, John, and I’m worried about Caroline. Is everything all right? I can’t get ahold of Junie, and there are rumors going ’round. Folks are saying Caroline’s run off and the wedding’s canceled, and I’m calling you direct, out of respect, you understand, because you should know what people are saying. I’m not one to spread rumors, but my daddy always said speak the truth and shame the devil, and so I’m speaking some truth here. The question is, who exactly is the devil in this situation? A few weeks ago everything was fine, and then … I just don’t know what to think, Tab in the hospital and Caroline run away to those nuns. I do wish you’d pick up.”

John stood there for a long moment after the machine had clicked off, sweat running down his face and body, feeling a little faint for the second time this summer, though this time a trip to the emergency room and a few stitches wouldn’t fix the problem. Kai was watching him, her small heart-shaped face tilted to one side.

She said, “I wonder that Caroline didn’t tell her family about her plans.”

“She made up her mind all of a sudden,” John said.

Kai nodded thoughtfully. She said, “Patty-Cake is thinking of Angie and her friends, that they have something to do with … whatever is going on between you and Caroline.”

“I got that, yes.” John managed a smile.

“It would be best if Angie stayed out of her way, I think,” Kai said.

“Probably.”

The phone began to ring again.

“Dr. Grant? Professor Grant? This is Jean Marie Stillwater? I’m Caroline’s second cousin once removed on her daddy’s side? I do the bookkeeping for Abby Shaw, the florist? I’m calling because the balance is due on the bill for the flowers, the corsages, and arrangements for the church and all that? And I can’t get hold of Caroline. Her sister Eunice said I should call you direct? I surely would appreciate it if you’d come by the shop tomorrow and take care of business. Bye now.”

In the silence John could hear Rob singing to himself while he lugged boxes to the car, lots of volume and enthusiasm, but what song it might have been was known only to him.