Halcyon was going to meet her at the cabin and her housekeeper would pop in after church to help with the deep cleaning. Marina would get on to the repairs and Halcyon would probably spend the day ordering everyone else around and complaining about the cheap wood paneling and lack of square footage. When she’d left Halcyon’s house earlier, her sister had been in the garage, muttering about old lamps and carpets. Marina had just yelled a goodbye and headed out. Halcyon’s old decor probably wouldn’t match the cabin or each other, but she’d take anything her sister was willing to donate.

The bed frame and a small dresser that were already in the cabin were made from old pine and would still be standing after a nuclear war. She’d put the mattress out to air as soon as she got there and try to beat some of the dust out of it until the new set she’d ordered was delivered. In the meantime, she had a thick mattress cover to help with allergens. The living room furniture consisted of an old leather couch and two mismatched recliners. They were castoffs from when Marina’s mother had bought new furniture for their house. The leather was cracked and worn in spots and the couch sank down on one end more than the other, but they’d do until she could manage better. Besides, there was no use thinking about buying new furniture until she knew for certain where she’d be living. The cabin wasn’t a good long-term option and with her job situation up in the air, moving loomed as a more likely alternative than remaining.

As she crossed the street, Marina caught sight of Harold coming up the sidewalk. She ducked behind a shrub in the town square, then cursed herself for acting like a silly teen. It was a small town. She was bound to run into Harold more times than she wanted to. Which was another point in favor of moving.

“If you’re going to stand here with that box of doughnuts for very long, I’m going to ask for one.”

Marina whirled around and saw Adelaide behind her, frowning.

“I know you’re not hiding from that crap husband of yours, right?” she asked.

Marina sighed and stepped out from behind the bush to stand next to Adelaide on the sidewalk.

“I did it without even thinking,” Marina said. “And then I didn’t even know why for sure. I mean, it’s not logical.”

“The heart protecting itself, I suppose,” Adelaide said. “Or your mind protecting you from possible jail time. It could go either way.”

“Maybe both.”

Adelaide looked down the street at Harold as he scratched his crotch, a pained look on his face.

“What the hell is he doing?” Adelaide asked.

Marina started to giggle and Adelaide stared.

“I might have rubbed poison ivy in his underwear,” Marina said.

The look of surprise and respect on Adelaide’s face was priceless. She shoved Marina back behind the shrub.