her chair.
“Don’t even think you’re going along with whoever is going to look for Jenny’s brother,” Aunt Beth informed her. “And just for the record, I think now is a time for us to call Jane. She should be the one talking to him. Or at least be there when it takes place.”
Jenny’s shoulders drooped.
“I may not welcome my brother and all his drama back into my life, but if he’s truly gotten his life straightened out, like Harriet says, then I don’t want to mess that up for him by having the police pick him up, even if it is just for questioning. Once they check his record, they’ll assume he’s guilty of something.”
“Do we have to go looking for him tonight?” Mavis wondered “Patty’s in custody, and it’s not likely she was working with anyone else. Let’s all get a good night’s sleep, and then Jenny can find her brother and see what he was trying to warn her about.”
“That sounds like a good idea to me,” Beth said.
“Will everyone be safe?” Connie asked. She looked at Jenny. “Why don’t you stay in my guest room? I think we’d all feel better if you weren’t alone.”
“I have to admit I’m a little nervous about staying alone at my place,” Jenny confessed. “My husband isn’t going to be home for another week.”
“I’ll call Rod and tell him to be ready to go to your house with us,” Connie said and pulled her cell phone from her purse.
“I can cover your booth for part of the day tomorrow,” DeAnn offered Harriet. “Kissa goes to baby playtime at the church in the morning—her therapist told us we should help her spend time with other babies. Since we don’t know what her life was like before we adopted her, she thought socialization with a group of other babies was in order as a precaution.”
“Precaution against what?” Connie demanded.
“Nothing specific. She mentioned listening to the other babies talking and learning to share and interact in a group.”
“She’s a baby,” Connie said. “Young children don’t develop an awareness of other children until three years at least.”
“I figured it wouldn’t hurt her to go,” DeAnn said. “She seems to like playing around the other kids. So, I’m available in the morning if you want.”
“I can find a sub for the raffle booth in the afternoon,” Mavis said.
“I have to check with my client and see if they’ve finished their system test yet. If they haven’t, I could do time in the booth,” Lauren said.
“Harriet,” Carla said, “if you don’t mind Wendy coming along, I could help you tomorrow.”
“I would love to see Wendy, and I’d appreciate having a little help. I’m not supposed to move my arm, and I could use a ride to the doctor, if you don’t mind, since I have to have the burn checked and redressed. I’m not supposed to drive when I take the medication they gave me.”
“Carla can take Scooter out for you, too,” Aunt Beth said. “And I’m going to go get Brownie, and we’re going to both spend the night with you.”
“That’s not necessary—” Harriet tried to protest.
“Don’t argue with me. We’re not letting you spend the night alone.”
Harriet knew by the tone of her voice there would be no changing her mind.
“Jenny, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go with you when you talk to your brother,” Robin said. “He told Harriet he’s off drugs, but we’re just taking his word for it. Even if he is, with everything that’s happened, I don’t think you should go anywhere alone until we figure out what’s going on.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Aunt Beth agreed. She stood up and wrestled her plump frame into her coat.
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Jenny said. “I may not want anything to do with my brother, but I’m not a complete fool. Since we don’t know what’s going on, I think we all should be careful.”
The group nodded their agreement and, one by one, finished their tea and carried their mugs to the kitchen before putting on their coats and gathering their purses.
“I’ll wait with Harriet until you get back,” Lauren said to Aunt Beth.
“Thank you, honey, I’d appreciate it. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time, Carter is spending some quality time with my neighbor, the little rat. She’s been knitting him sweaters, so he feels obligated to go watch movies with her on Saturday nights.”
“Of course he does,” Mavis said. Harriet couldn’t tell if she was joking or