“A lot of people decide to make big changes when their marriage breaks up,” Patricia said. “Who knows what her future might hold?”

Adelaide looked over at Dottie, who gave her a worried look. They were both thinking the same thing.

An hour later, they stood in the square in the middle of downtown, positioned behind an enormous oak tree so they weren’t visible to most foot traffic. Dottie was drinking one of those snooty coffee drinks that cost a fortune and consisted mostly of foam. Adelaide was drinking straight-up black coffee from the gas station.

Dottie looked over at the church and frowned. “You did that, didn’t you?”

The sign that had read “FREE FLU SHOTS” the day before now displayed “FREE F U SHOTS.”

Adelaide grinned. “I’ll never tell.”

“I don’t think you have to.” Dottie sighed. “So…this situation.”

“That Patricia is one big, flaming bitch,” Adelaide said.

“Crude but accurate,” Dottie agreed. “She’s always thought she was better than she was. That’s her mother’s fault. And that brother of hers has just kept it all going with his pompous way of lording over anyone who’ll let him.”

“The problem is there’s plenty in this town that let him.”

“That’s fear. Not respect.”

“Yeah, well, I’m afraid fear is going to get him elected mayor.”

Dottie shook her head. “William must be rolling over in his grave.”

Adelaide nodded. William was Dottie’s deceased husband and the former mayor. As far as men went, he was one of the few good ones. He and Adelaide had disagreed about some things, like whether or not it should be illegal to grow corn in your backyard and how many cats should be allowed in one home, but he’d been a good mayor.

“If that idiot gets elected,” Adelaide said, “William’s going to come back to haunt us. Maybe even do a curse.”

“It’s rumored his family descended from Marie Laveau. I suppose if anyone could be outraged enough to rise from the dead, it would be William.”

“He always had an unwavering sense of propriety. One of the things I admired about him.”

Dottie snorted. “That’s because you don’t have any.”

Adelaide waved a hand in dismissal. “It’s overrated. Besides, I’m too old to give a damn what other people think.”

“You reached that point in kindergarten.”

“Possibly even before.”

“That niece of Patricia’s has been brought up to be useless and aimless,” Dottie said. “What she needs is a job. A real job. Not these silly part-time things Preston strong-arms locals into hiring her for since neither he or Patricia want her underfoot.”

“Ha. The only thing she knows how to do isn’t legal to charge for.”

“Also crude.”

“Also accurate.” Adelaide frowned. “I’m worried about Marina’s job.”

Dottie sighed. “So am I. I think Patricia is going to back that oversexed niece of hers regardless of what others think. No way she’s going to come out against Chastity and risk losing favor with her brother.”

“If Chastity had ‘666’ on her scalp, Patricia would still back her. She’s not about to give up her perks.”