LITMIR.BIZ

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needs to tell me why you all shut up the second I walked in,” she said.

      “She’s right,” Maddie said. “She should know.”

      “Of course she should,” Dana Sue said, turning to Helen. “You masterminded this. You tell her.”

      “I did no such thing,” Helen protested.

      “Tell her,” Maddie and Dana Sue said in unison.

      “Tom’s coming for Sunday dinner,” Helen admitted. “The guys asked him last night.”

      Jeanette studied each of her friends in turn, then settled in on Helen. “And this was your idea?”

      “Not exactly,” she said, regarding the others with a touch of defiance. “We all wanted to get a look at the two of you together. Okay, not Maddie. She’s already witnessed the fireworks firsthand, but Dana Sue and me.”

      “And how did the guys just happen to see him and invite him?” she queried.

      “Oh, you know guys,” Dana Sue said. “They were getting together to play a little football. Cal called Tom. Then they had a couple of beers together. Guy stuff.”

      “They were checking him out, weren’t they?” Jeanette accused. “This wasn’t some innocent little get-together. I know how you operate.”

      “We were just protecting your interests,” Maddie said. “We know how you feel about getting involved with anyone and we figured if you’re finally ready, it needs to be with someone trustworthy.”

      “I am not getting involved with Tom,” Jeanette said for the umpteenth time. “Why won’t you listen to me?”

      “Because you don’t sound convincing,” Helen said. “I’m a lawyer. I know when people are lying to me…and to themselves.”

      “Okay, fine,” Jeanette said in disgust. “You all conduct your independent review of the new town manager. I don’t have to be there.”

      “You can’t back out now,” Maddie protested. “Come on. We want you there.”

      “And I invited you first,” Helen reminded her. “And you said yes.”

      “Did I really? I seem to recall you assuming that I would come.”

      “You’re bringing tequila,” Helen said. “I made a note of it.”

      “Of course you did,” Maddie said, patting her hand. “You make notes on everything.”

      “Especially since I had the baby,” Helen said with a sigh. “I can’t remember anything if I don’t write it down.”

      “Try having five kids,” Maddie said. “I make lists of my lists.”

      “The bottom line,” Helen said, gazing directly at Jeanette, “is that you’re coming. If you absolutely insist, we’ll simply tell Tom to stay away.”

      She frowned at them. “You know I can’t do that. It would be totally rude to have you take back your invitation to him. He’s new in town. He probably doesn’t know a lot of people. In fact, why don’t you invite some others? Mary Vaughn, for instance. I have it on good authority that she’s interested in him.”

      “Then I’d have to stay home,” Dana Sue said flatly. “And keep Ronnie there, too.”

      “Ronnie doesn’t give two figs about Mary Vaughn,” Maddie said impatiently. “He never did.”

      “Not the point,” Dana Sue said. “I don’t trust her near my husband.” She frowned at Jeanette. “And you shouldn’t want her anywhere near Tom.”

      “How many ways do I have to say that I don’t care about Tom McDonald?”

      Maddie’s expression turned thoughtful, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “As many as it takes to convince us. You’re not even close yet.”

      Jeanette clamped her mouth shut. There was no point in belaboring this. It was a debate she couldn’t possibly win.

      Helen beamed. “Good, then we’re agreed. It’s going to be a great evening.”

      Jeanette didn’t want to burst her bubble, but from her perspective, it promised to be hell. The memory of that kiss she and Tom had shared made her blood sizzle every time she thought about it. She was going to have to resist any repeat of the experience, and the sad truth was, she wasn’t sure she had the willpower.

      Tom was in the middle of an incredibly steamy dream about the elusive Jeanette when his phone rang on Sunday morning.

      “Oh, honey, I didn’t wake you, did I?” his mother inquired.

      He sighed as the last image of Jeanette faded from his mind. “It’s okay, Mother. I need to be up soon, anyway, if I’m going to get to church on time. What’s up?”

      “Your father and I were just talking. I know you weren’t expecting me until next week, but the plans we had for today have been postponed, so we thought we’d drive over to Serenity to have lunch with you and take a look around your little town. Will that work for you?”

      Tom bit back a groan. She made it sound like an excursion to a not-very-respectable amusement park. He’d planned on looking at a few houses this morning, doing some work on revising the budget, and then getting ready to go to Erik and Helen’s at four. Of course, his mother had mentioned lunch. That would put them here around noon and he could probably send them on their way by two. That should work. And at least it would put this hoped-for, but much-dreaded, visit behind him.

      “Sure, Mother. That would be great. We can have lunch at Sullivan’s. We need to be there early, though. It’s usually packed right after church and they’re only open until two on Sundays.”

      “That will work for us. We’re going to the early service at church and we’ll leave from there. We should be there by eleven. That should give us enough time to tour the town and be at the restaurant before noon.”

      “Perfect,” Tom said. “Why don’t we meet at the town hall. It’s centrally located.”

      “Oh, but we want to see where you’re living,” she protested.

      “It’s a small inn, Mother. I have a room. There’s nothing to see. I still haven’t found a house.”

      “I know it’s an inn, but I’d like to see it,” she said stubbornly. “That way I can picture you there, even if it is only temporary.”

      It was one of her idiosyncracies that she liked knowing the details of her children’s living arrangements. She’d visited every dorm room, every sorority house and fraternity, every tiny apartment each of her children had resided in. Tom should have expected she’d want to see the inn.

      Still, he argued against it. “Mother, you’re not going to be here that long. Let’s not waste the visit on a tour of my nine-by-twelve room.”

      “I suppose you’re right,” she agreed reluctantly, then said with enthusiasm, “Perhaps we should help you look for a house while we’re there.”

      “Absolutely not,” he said more sharply than he’d intended. “I’ve seen almost everything that’s on the market. I’m just trying to narrow it down.”

      “Then we could help,” she persisted. “It’s no trouble, darling. I’ve always been able to see the potential in places. In fact, once you’ve chosen something, I can come over with my decorator and help you whip it into shape. You’ll need something large enough for entertaining, and it should be in the best neighborhood. After all, you are a public official.”

      “Mom!” He needed to get her attention. “Enough. I don’t need anything fancy. I can slap a little paint on the walls if it needs it. The last thing I need is a decorator.”

      “Well, surely you’ll want some

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