"I'll keep you company. " Jolene adjusted her baby-blue ball cap. "I'd rather be with Stella than a boa constrictor any day. "
"Girls. " Will exchanged a pitying look with each of his grandsons. "Come on, men, into the snake pit!"
On a battle cry, the three of them charged the building.
"He's so good with them," Stella said. "So natural and easy. I'm so glad we're living close now, and they can see each other regularly. "
"You couldn't be happier about it than we are. I swear that man's been like a kid himself the last couple of days, just waiting for today to get here. He couldn't be more proud of the three of you. "
"I guess we both missed out on a lot when I was growing up. "
"It's good you're making up for it now. "
Stella glanced at Jolene as they walked over to a bench. "You never say anything about her. You never criticize. "
"Sugar pie, I bit my tongue to ribbons more times than I can count in the last twenty-seven years. "
"Why?"
"Well, honey, when you're the second wife, and the stepmama on top of that, it's the smartest thing you can do. Besides, you grew up to be a strong, smart, generous woman raising the two most handsome, brightest, most charming boys on God's green earth. What's the point of criticizing?"
She does you, Stella thought. "Have I ever told you I think you're the best thing that ever happened to my father?"
"Maybe once or twice. " Jolene pinked prettily. "But I never mind hearing it repeated. "
"Let me add, you're one of the best things that ever happened to me. And the kids. "
"Oh, now. " This time Jolene's eyes filled. "Now you've got me going. " She dug in her purse, dug out a lace hankie. "That's the sweetest thing. The sweetest thing. " She sniffled, tried to dab at her eyes and hug Stella at the same time. "I just love you to pieces. I always did. "
"I always felt it. " Tearing up herself, Stella pushed through her own purse for a more mundane tissue. "God, look at the mess we've made of each other. "
"It was worth it. Sometimes a good little cry's as good as some sex. Do I have mascara all down my face?"
"No. Just a little . . . " Stella used the corner of her tissue to wipe away a smear under Jolene's eye.
"There. You're fine. "
"I feel like a million tax-free dollars. Now, tell me how you're getting on before I start leaking again. "
"Work-wise it couldn't be better. It really couldn't. We're about to hit the spring rush dead-on, and I'm so revved for it. The boys are happy, making friends at school. Actually, between you and me, I think Gavin's got a crush on this little curly-headed blond in his class. Her name's Melissa, and the tips of his ears get red when he mentions her. "
"That's so sweet. Nothing like your first crush, is there? I remember mine. I was crazy for this boy. He had a face full of freckles and a cowlick. I just about died with joy the day he gave me a little hop-toad in a shoe box. "
"A toad. "
"Well, honey, I was eight and a country girl, so it was a thoughtful gift all in all. He ended up marrying a friend of mine. I was in the wedding and had to wear the most godawful pink dress with a hoop skirt wide enough I could've hidden a horse under it and rode to the church. It was covered with ruffles, so I looked like a human wedding cake. "
She waved a hand while Stella rolled with laughter. "I don't know why I'm going on about that, except it's the sort of traumatic experience you never forget, even after more than thirty years. Now they live on the other side of the city. We get together every now and then for dinner. He's still got the freckles, but the cowlick went, along with most of his hair. "
"I guess you know a lot of the people and the history of the area, since you've lived here all your life. "
"I guess I do. Can't go to the Wal-Mart, day or night, without seeing half a dozen people I know. "
"What do you know about the Harper ghost?"
"Hmm. " Jolene took out a compact and her lipstick and freshened her face. "Just that she's always roamed around there, or at least as far back as anybody can remember. Why?"
"This is going to sound insane, especially coming from me, but. . . I've seen her. "