“This is terrible.” The dyed redhead looked as if she were about to burst into tears. “My Charlie had a tumble and is feeling sore. Nothing serious, but rather than stay, he wants to go home.”

“Oh, Ruby!” Sarah wrapped her arms around her distraught friend and gave her a hug. “You’re sure he’s okay? Is there anything we can do to help?”

“Do you need us to drive you home?” Maybelle asked, moving close as well.

“No, no,” Ruby insisted, sounding stressed. She dug around in her coat pocket, then pulled out a slip of paper. “That’s not why I’m here. Our grandson is visiting from out of town. He and his girlfriend are helping Charlie to his car, driving him home, and making sure Charlie gets inside and settled.”

“Does your grandson need help getting him inside your house?” Bodie asked, wanting to help Sarah’s friends any way he could. Plus, he genuinely liked the older man.

Sarah shot Bodie a look of gratitude, but Ruby shook her head. “Charlie insisted he was fine and didn’t need help. He’s probably right, but he gave me such a fright when he went down. Thank goodness he didn’t break anything or need stitches.”

Assured he wasn’t needed, Bodie stepped back, looking around to make sure none of their current customers needed assistance.

“Still,” Ruby continued. “Although I’m not sure about the girlfriend, I’m glad our grandson is staying with us, just in case.”

The women surrounded Ruby with their support.

“I know you’re worried about Charlie. It’s a good thing Rick is here to help you.”

“Sounds as if he’s going to be just fine, but you keep a close eye on him.”

“If you need anything, anything at all, you call.”

Ruby nodded, then took a deep breath, and visibly pulled herself together.

“I need to get going. I’m supposed to be following in our car, but these,” she waved the paper she’d pulled from her pocket, “sold out almost immediately, and I couldn’t bear for our reservation to go to waste.”

Bodie wasn’t sure what the paper was, but the other women seemed to understand. Their eyes grew wide, then they nodded in agreement.

Rosie patted the woman’s hand. “That’s so sweet of you, but I talked to Mrs. Harvey and she saved one for me. I’m meeting Lou at our designated time and he’s going with me.” She waggled her drawn-on brows. “Thanks anyway.”

Ruby’s gaze went to the others.

Maybelle shook her head. “I’m working the ornament sales until we sell out or close down.”

Claudia also shook her head. “I promised my daughter she could drop the grands by my place later. They’re going to stay the night and go to church with me in the morning. I’m heading home as soon as I finish here.”