sessions, but it sounds kind of juvenile. Kind of like kids passing notes at school.”
“But you’re going to tell it this week, right? Because if I’ve noticed it, you can bet Tootsie has, and we don’t want to worry her,” Carmen said.
“Of course I will,” Diana agreed. But I’m not telling y’all that I’ve been spending almost every night in the motor home with him. That’s just too damn personal to share, even with my best friends, and besides, I don’t want to jinx it before he even meets Rebecca.
“Well, I sure feel better.” Carmen stood and started out of the room. “Now let’s go get some breakfast. I hear Tootsie and Luke in the kitchen already.”
“Hey, where are you going?” Joanie almost ran smack into Carmen.
“To get dressed,” Carmen answered.
“Then wait a minute. I’ve got something to tell y’all. Brett called first thing this morning to tell me happy Thanksgiving, and guess what, we’ve got an offer on the house.” She clasped her hands together and looked up at the ceiling. “Thank you, Jesus! Things are working out so well that I know I made the right decision for sure now.”
“That’s great,” Diana said.
“I hope we don’t get fussy neighbors,” Carmen said.
“Well,” Joanie went on, “our agent said some guy called and said he wants to buy it sight unseen. We don’t even have to negotiate a deal. He bid the asking price. She’s getting all the papers ready, and we’ll close the deal when we get home. Brett is already looking at apartment websites in Arlington. He figures we’ll live in one for six months while we figure out the best place to buy.”
“Well, happy, happy Thanksgiving to you. That’s amazing news,” Carmen said. “Let’s tell Luke and Tootsie over breakfast.”
She and Joanie went on down to the kitchen to find Tootsie making her breakfast burritos. Luke was sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee in one hand and Simba in the other. Nala and Sugar were both sleeping on his lap.
“Happy Thanksgiving, and happy birthday.” Diana wanted to stop and kiss him, but she just patted him on the shoulder and then sat down on the sofa beside him.
He set his coffee mug on the end table and handed Nala over to her. “They’re going to be lonesome when we separate them.”
“Yes, they are, but they’ll adjust real soon with all the love they’ll get.” Joanie took Sugar away from him and loved her for a moment, then gave her back and went to the kitchen. “Tootsie, what can I do to help?”
Diana stole a quick kiss while they were out of sight and whispered, “Joanie has news, but we’ll talk about it more tonight.”
Carmen took Sugar from him once she made it downstairs. “Come here to Mama, you pretty little darlin’ girl,” she said in a voice usually saved for talking to babies and cuddling kittens and puppies. “You know what I’m thankful for besides the final divorce papers arriving yesterday? I’m grateful that Diana and Luke brought you to me.”
Tootsie raised her voice. “Breakfast is ready. It’s on the table, so put down the kittens, wash your hands, and get on in here. I don’t make my famous breakfast burritos except on special occasions, and it’s best to eat them while they’re hot.”
Tingles danced down Diana’s spine when she and Luke reached the kitchen sink at the same time and Luke covered her hands with his and lathered them. “Do you realize that it’s only five days until we head for Lawton?” he asked.
She’d known the time was coming, but where had the weeks gone? Nothing would ever be the same again. Carmen was single as of the day before. Joanie was moving. Tootsie seemed to be accepting the fact that Smokey was truly gone. And she was in a relationship.
“We’ve got a lot to do before we leave, but today we’re having Thanksgiving and your birthday. Diana is in charge of making a butter rum cake to celebrate both.” Tootsie picked up the pitcher of orange juice and carried it to the table.
“Yes, I am, but if you’d rather have some other kind, I can make it instead, or I can make both.” Diana rinsed her hands.
Luke handed her the other end of the towel he was using to dry his hands. “Butter rum is my very favorite.”
She pulled the towel from his hands. “That’s great. It’s my specialty. You never mentioned liking it.”
“You never said that you made it.” He leaned