is dysfunctional. It just matters to what degree.”
“Not yours,” Paula said. “Your dad is a sweetheart.”
“Yes, he is.” Mitzi stood up and rolled the kinks from her neck. “And my mama would’ve fought an army for me using only a kitchen butter knife, but she could manipulate the devil into letting her set up a snow-cone stand in hell. And Lord, don’t even get me started on the guilt trips she could lay on a person.”
“You didn’t have to live with an ultrareligious mama who made you pray twice a day on your knees for thirty minutes,” Jody said.
“Or parents who argued constantly over Mama’s hypochondria and Daddy’s superstitions,” Paula added.
“Like I said, there’s no such thing as a perfect family. But don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t take a million bucks for my family.” Mitzi started out of the room. “It’s break time, and since I didn’t take time for breakfast, I’m warming up a sausage biscuit. Y’all want one?”
Jody was on her feet in a second. “Yes, and thank you. I’d forgotten how good meat tasted. I may have two. Do we have grape jelly? And we are going to have to lay aside that vow we made about closing shop at five o’clock. Some folks take a whole year to get ready for a bridal fair, and we’ve only got a little while. We need to make a really good impression, and get our name on the list for next year.”
“Grape jelly is in the fridge.” Paula pushed back her chair. “Living in the house does have benefits. Like sleeping a little longer and real food in the office fridge. And you are right about burning a little late-night oil. This bridal fair is huge, and for us to get to show off our plus-sized idea? Well, darlin’s, that’s out of this world.”
“On another note, thinking of cooking in here, we should put one of those wax-burning candle things in the foyer. Maybe one that smells like roses or vanilla. Some food smells just don’t say that you’re in a bridal shop,” Jody suggested.
“Great idea,” Mitzi said. “Ellie Mae sells those. When she comes in for her next fitting, I’ll order a couple. Maybe one for the fitting room, too. Wonder if they have a cute one that looks like a wedding cake?”
Jody took five sausage biscuits from the freezer and popped them into the microwave. “Wedding cakes make me think of the bridal fair. I wonder if Graham is going to let Tabby model for us, and are we buying, renting, or talking Harry into building an arch for us?” Her thoughts went back to the idea of a wedding and children. When she found closure, would she ever trust a man again?
“I hope so. That dress should fit her perfectly. She’s even the same height as Selena, so we won’t have to shorten it.” The oven dinged and Mitzi removed the food. “Now that we’re moved in and settling down, how are you, Jody? We’ve been so busy that it seems like months instead of days since Lyle left.”
“I got up real early this morning and drove out to the place. That sumbitch dragged the trailer out right over my garden, so there’ll be no fresh vegetables. All that’s left out there is a couple of beat-up old lawn chairs. I sat down in one and cried like a baby.” Jody choked up but refused to shed another tear. “Lyle was my life. I gave him my heart, my soul, and my virginity when I was fifteen. Not even steaks and sausage can heal the pain.”
Paula hugged her tightly. “You should’ve woken us. We would have gone with you.”
“I needed to do it all alone,” Jody said and then jumped back a few inches at a sharp nudge from Paula’s stomach. “The baby just kicked me.”
Paula laid a hand on the spot. “It’s been really active lately. I just hope it’s willing to let me know today if it’s a boy or girl so our little party can be a gender reveal. In some ways I envy those girls who have a baby bump. I just feel fatter than usual.”
“How much weight have you gained?” Mitzi asked.
“Fifteen pounds. The doctor says that twenty should be my limit,” Paula answered.
“Getting to feel the baby kick like that made it real,” Jody said. “Are you sure you’re not going to tell the father? He’s missing so much.”
How quick would you tell Lyle if you find out you’re