“Yeah,” Angie said. “It’s a good opportunity.”

With a sticky-sweet smile Patty-Cake said, “You take care now, things can get a little rough around here once the games start.”

“Is that so?” Angie could feel Rivera hovering nearby, and hear the low hum of the camera. She counted to three and found that she couldn’t keep quiet. “And here I thought you were already playing.”

Before she turned away she caught Miss Maddie’s expression, bright and amused and not at all displeased, and Miss Zula’s more thoughtful one.

Angie saw Harriet Darling for the first time that morning in the food tent. There was a red ribbon attached to the placard on the table that introduced Mrs. Harriet Rose Darling’s brandy peaches.

“Those judges,” she told Angie, “have got no imagination.”

It was hot in the tent and not especially interesting, but Harriet looked so downtrodden that Angie couldn’t bring herself to rush out. She asked about Tab.

“Surgery went just fine,” Harriet told her. “He’s cranky as that wet hen folks are always talking about, making trouble for the nurses, generally being himself. Mama’s over there now, playing five-card stud with him. Which is a good thing, because all these rumors flying around would give her a heart attack of her own.”

She gave Angie a hard look. “You heard the nonsense people are talking?”

“Patty-Cake filled me in,” Angie said, looking longingly toward the exit.

Harriet snorted. “I’ll bet she did. She’s the worst offender. Blood or no blood, I’m going to have to clear the air with Patty-Cake.” She frowned elaborately. “If people ask you, just say Caroline will be home tomorrow or the day after, and the wedding will come off perfect.”

The smart thing to do was to agree and walk away, but Angie wasn’t feeling particularly smart, and so she said what was on her mind.

“I’m surprised you’re so eager to see your little sister married,” Angie said. “Seeing how your own situation has gone bad.”

Harriet’s mouth fell open in surprise and then snapped shut. “Well, I don’t think you can compare the two, not at all.” She lowered her voice and leaned toward Angie to whisper. Her breath was ripe with brandy and mint. “I never should have married Tab, but I was desperate. It was that, or break Mama’s heart.”

Angie took a deep breath and then the words came out, because they must. “But, Harriet, how do you know Caroline isn’t feeling exactly the same way?”

Harriet blew out a surprised breath that made her hair flutter around her face. “What would make you say such a thing?”

Angie shrugged. “She’s not here, is she?” And very calmly she hoisted her pack over one shoulder and walked away. There was sweat running down her neck and back that had nothing to do with the heat, and she shivered.