between the raindrops as she dashed to the van, so she was soaked when she slid into the seat.
“Thank God I’ve got extra clothes at the shop,” she muttered as she started the engine and headed to town.
She used the drive-through window to order a dozen assorted doughnuts, but even with the small awning over the window, the sack was water-splotched by the time she pulled it into the vehicle. She hadn’t expected to see Paula’s car in the parking lot when she parked behind the house, but Jody’s old truck wasn’t there, either. Grabbing up her purse in one hand and the brown bag in the other, she hurried through the rain to the porch.
“I shouldn’t have dropped my keys in here somewhere,” she scolded herself as she fished around in her purse. When she finally located them and got inside, she held her breath and flipped on the lights.
“Hallelujah!” she shouted. “We’ve got power. The whole town isn’t without electricity like usual when it storms.”
It didn’t take her long to change clothing, dry her hair, and apply makeup. Then she made a pot of coffee and removed the doughnuts from the soggy bag.
“Hey, where’s everyone at?” Fanny Lou rushed in the door and set a dripping umbrella in the basket. “From heat to pouring-down rain. It’s true if you don’t like the weather in Texas, you can stick around for twenty minutes and watch it change.”
“Good morning to you, Granny.” Mitzi poured two cups of coffee and set them on the table.
“I see you bought doughnuts again. Bless your heart. I swear, if the pastry shop ever closes its doors, I’m selling the Taylor estate and moving to Greenville,” Fanny Lou declared. “So what did you think of Graham’s daughters? I heard that you ran into him in Walmart last night, too. Did you flirt?”
“Good Lord, Granny!”
“I’m sure Jesus is very good, but answer my questions.” Fanny Lou laid all the pastries out on a plate.
“It was love at first sight with his girls, and no, I didn’t flirt. How did you find out that I’d seen him at Walmart?”
Fanny Lou shrugged. “Honey, how often does someone as powerful as Graham Harrison move back to town? He’s divorced. He owns a Cadillac dealership. And he’s good-lookin’. So where’s Paula and Jody?” She sipped at the coffee.
“They haven’t made it in yet, which is unusual.”
“Good,” Fanny Lou said. “I’ve got news about Lyle, but it might just be gossip, so I don’t want to tell it in front of Jody.”
Every hair on Mitzi’s arms prickled. “Is it bad news? Is he sick and dying?”
“Nope, but he was seen with a young woman in a jewelry shop down in Greenville last week. I heard they were looking at rings,” Fanny Lou said.
“Maybe he was getting her take on a ring so that he could propose to Jody. I bet he wanted to keep it a surprise. That would be so romantic. He’s been in love with Jody since they were teenagers.” Mitzi hoped she was right and that Lyle wasn’t doing something stupid.
“It would be nice if that’s what it was,” Fanny Lou said. “But the person who saw them said he had his arm around the woman’s shoulders. Are you going to tell Jody?”
Mitzi shook her head. “Nope. It’s gossip for sure. She and Lyle are the same as married and have been for years.”
“‘Same as’ isn’t really married,” Fanny Lou said. “Maybe you should call those girls and see about them. If the rumors about Lyle are true, Jody might be killing him right now. Paula could be helping her dispose of the body.” She picked up a doughnut with maple icing.
Mitzi dug around in her purse for her phone and called Jody, but it went right to voice mail. Then she called Paula.
“Hello.” Paula sounded as if she’d been crying.
“Are you okay? I’m worried about you and Jody,” Mitzi said.
“I’ve got a stomach bug. I’ve taken some medicine. I’ll be in by noon,” Paula told her.
“I’m sorry. Rest all you need to. Are you home?” Mitzi asked.
“I am now. I got up feelin’ bad and went to get something to make me better. We must’ve missed each other. See you later,” Paula said.
“Let me know if you need anything. I hear Jody coming in now. If you need to stay home all day, that’s okay. Just get some rest, and maybe you’ll feel better by Monday.” Mitzi sure hoped that whatever Paula had caught wasn’t contagious.