her credit card. “In my professional opinion, I think that they’re two consenting adults. In my parenting opinion, I would hope they aren’t sleeping together when the kids are in the house.”
Lily knotted her hands into fists. If something like that got out, Mack could lose his job.
“Good God!” Sally ran the card and handed her a receipt to sign. “She’s only been home a short while. Do you really think she and Mack would get a relationship going that included sex that fast?”
“One never knows this day and age,” Ruth-Ann said. “Got to be going. See you later. Maybe I’ll stop in next week when Lily is here.”
“I’m sure she’ll be so tickled to see you,” Sally said.
As soon as the woman had closed the door, Lily came back to the checkout counter. She sank down in a folding chair and sighed. “I shouldn’t have moved in with Mack. I should have given him notice to move out of the house before I came back. If he loses his job, it’ll be my fault.”
“He’s not going to lose his job. He’s got tenure, for one thing, and it’s not 1895, girl. For a third thing”—Sally held up three fingers—“he’s a damn good vo-ag teacher, and he’s really built up the program. I’m surprised that you didn’t march out here and tell her to go to hell.”
“I wanted to, but”—Lily finally grinned—“why spoil a good source of what people are saying or thinking about me with one little temper fit. A gossip is a good way to find out things. I may hide every time she comes into the shop. Now, how about showing me how to run that cash register?”
“Soon as I finish my candy bar.” Sally picked up her candy bar and took another bite.
Lily didn’t leave until almost four that afternoon. She had just walked in the door when the school bus pulled up and let Holly and Braden out. They rushed into the house, both of them talking at once about going to the feed store again—this time for more than goat feed.
“Do I need to change clothes?” Holly asked.
It had been so long since Holly had asked for her mother’s opinion that Lily was taken aback for several seconds.
“No, I think you look just fine,” Lily answered.
“When is Mack coming home? He’ll be here before the store closes, right?” Braden tossed his backpack on the chair and headed for the kitchen. “Do I have time for cookies and chocolate milk? I don’t even care if they’re bought cookies. I’m hungry. They had spaghetti at school today, and believe me, Mama, their spaghetti does not taste like yours.”
“I had the salad bar, and it was fine,” Holly said.
“I’m not a rabbit,” Braden said.
“Well, you look like one when you make that face,” Holly told him. “I hear a truck. You better scarf them cookies down if you want to go get boots and a coat.”
“I’ll eat later,” Braden said.
“Hey, everyone is home!” Mack said as he came through the kitchen door. “Y’all ready to go get some shopping done? I thought maybe we would have burgers for supper. We could all go in my truck. There’s plenty of room. Would that be okay, Lily?”
“Sounds fine to me.” She thought of what Ruth-Ann had said about her sleeping with Mack, and her cheeks burned. She’d blushed more since coming back to Comfort than she had in five years.
“Then let’s load up and get going,” Mack said.
“Shotgun!” Braden yelled.
“We don’t mind riding in the back seat, do we, Holly?” Lily asked.
“I’d rather ride in the back with you than up front with that spoiled brat.” Holly pointed at her brother.
“Hey, I’m not spoiled.” Braden grinned. “You can’t spoil the favorite child.”
“Dream on, little brother.” Holly did one of her famous head wiggles. “I’m the favorite since we moved to Comfort, and you don’t get to ever be favorite again.”
Lily immediately thought of Adam. How many times had he lorded it over Mack with similar words? “Hey, now,” she said, “you’re both my favorite. Braden is my favorite son, and Holly, you’re my favorite daughter.”
“But I’m your favorite favorite, right?” Holly pressed.
“Tell you what.” Lily pointed at her daughter. “You can each be the favorite three days a week, and Sunday is my day to not have a favorite kid.”
“Today is mine, right?” Holly kept it going.
“Nope,” Lily said. “It’s like this. You each get three days, but they can change according to your behavior. It’s up to me