“Maybe they’re still wound up about last night. Hey, I should have told you earlier, but I forgot. We’ve got two people coming by at two this afternoon to interview for the cook’s job. The other counselors will be in charge of horseshoes and cornhole games out in the yard while we talk to them,” he said.

“Two at once, or one at a time?” She picked up a tray and put a piece of ham, two biscuits, and some hash browns on it.

He followed her to the adult table. “Same time will be quicker. These two have the best résumés. Maybe if we like one of them, we won’t have to visit with any more.”

“Visit with whom?” Novalene asked.

“We’re talking to two people interested in taking over the kitchen,” Jayden answered.

Elijah set his tray down and crossed the floor to the table with the coffeepot on it. He returned with it in his hand. “Who needs a warm-up?”

Novalene held up her cup.

“Jayden and I will be talking to two prospects for a new cook this afternoon. Would y’all supervise the girls?” Elijah asked. “I’ve got horseshoes and beanbag-toss games planned for them this afternoon.”

A flash of lightning zigzagged across the windows in the dining hall, followed by a clap of thunder that caused several girls to throw their hands over their ears.

“Looks like you better plan something else,” Novalene told him. “If it don’t rain, it’s going to miss a good chance.”

Elijah groaned. “Y’all remember the last time the girls had to stay in the dining hall? They got into trouble for bad haircuts, and the time before that, they whined and bitched about playing board games. Anyone got any ideas?”

“How about we give them some free time for naps or let them visit with each other in the cabins?” Diana suggested. “None of my girls have been inside anything but Sunshine Cabin. Seems like they’re all atwitter over something that they want to talk about as a group.”

“We can wander back and forth among the cabins to be sure they aren’t killing each other,” Diana offered.

“Keep all the scissors, knives, and even fingernail files out of their sight,” Jayden suggested.

“We’ll call y’all if there’s any blood or broken bones,” Novalene laughed. “They definitely have something up their sleeves today, the way they keep whispering and throwing looks toward us. Maybe they’re planning to give us a party for being good counselors.”

“Or maybe they’re joining forces to mutiny,” Diana whispered.

“Like on a ship?” Jayden asked. “They can’t throw us overboard.”

“I doubt they’d take over Piney Wood,” Elijah said on a chuckle. “They want to get away from here, not own the place. All joking aside, if you need me or if Jayden’s girls need her, just holler and we’ll leave the interview.”

Oh. My. Sweet. Jesus. And all the angels in heaven, Jayden thought when the two people drove up in the yard that afternoon. Rain had come down in a steady drizzle all morning, soaking into the yard, and the two ladies would have to wade through mud to get from their vehicles to the dining hall. If it was true what Elijah had said about judging a person by their vehicle, then she should just tell those two to get back in their cars and go on home.

When the first one opened the door of her older-model black car, several pieces of trash fell out. Duct tape held the left front headlight in place, and the rest of the vehicle looked like all that was keeping it from falling apart was dried mud. Who went to a job interview in a tank top and denim shorts that had once been jeans?

Jayden would guess her to be no more than twenty-five, but she had that hard look about her that added ten years. She kicked the paper and what looked like a disposable container for a foot-long hot dog under the car. If she knew how to boil water, it would shock the hell right out of Jayden.

The second woman was a little better. Nothing fell out of her car, but sitting in the back seat was a big black dog that looked like maybe its father was an Angus bull. The woman wore sweatpants and a button-up shirt that pulled across her chest. She seemed friendly enough when she waved, but then she let the dog out. It promptly ran over and hiked its leg on the porch post.

“Okay, now, Bruiser, get back in the car so Mommy can get this job. Look at all this space you’re going to have to run and play in when we move here.” She put the dog back in the car and left the window down far enough that he could get his nose out for a breath of fresh air. “Where do I sign? I’m Madge. Don’t suppose it would be all right if I brought Bruiser in with me, would it? Even though the rain cooled things down, he can’t be left in the car very long.”

“Over my dead body,” Jayden whispered.

“This won’t take long, and we can’t have animals in the dining hall,” Elijah said. “You ladies come on inside, and we’ll talk. Jayden has a pot of coffee made and there’s a plate of fresh cookies put out for y’all.”

“That’s right sweet,” the first lady said. “I’m Ferry, by the way, and I had a late dinner, but I might take a dozen home with me for my boyfriend. He does love sweets. You won’t mind if he moves in with me, will you?”

“We’ll visit about all that when we get inside,” Elijah answered.

Had Elijah lost his mind and gone nuts? Jayden wondered. Why in all that was good and holy would he even entertain notions of hiring either of these two women?

“Where does your boyfriend work?” Jayden asked as she led the way into the dining hall. She motioned for the two women to sit down at the adult table. When they were seated, she and Elijah both took their places across from them. Elijah opened a folder and laid out two pieces of paper with very little writing on them.

“He doesn’t work. He’s on disability,” the woman answered, “but the marijuana sure helps the pain in his back. He’s got a medical card, so it’s all legal, and on his good days, he could help me out here,” she answered. “As you can see by the papers I filled out at the employment place, I was the fry cook down at Bob’s Burger Barn in Del Rio for three years and I seldom ever missed work. How much does this job pay?”

She batted her lashes at Elijah as if a little flirting might get her more money. Jayden fought the urge to accidentally kick her bare shins under the table.

“We can talk about that later. We have several applicants to interview before we make a decision, and the wages will be determined by experience,” Jayden answered.

“That’s me”—Madge reached for a second cookie and talked with food in her mouth—“right there on that left-hand résumé.” She gave Ferry a dirty look. “I worked in a school cafeteria for two years back maybe fifteen years ago. And since then, I’ve been in home health care, fixin’ meals and working for homebound folks. I like this kitchen and this place. My kids are all grown, and only two of the six have moved back in with me.”

Jayden thought that she would choke. “Well, ladies, it’s been real nice of you to come by so we could put your faces with the names on these résumés. Ferry and Madge. We will give you a call in the next two to three weeks if we need a second interview.”