“Hey, you all right?” Diana nudged her on the arm. “It’s your turn to order.”

“I’m fine. Just wool gathering,” Carmen said. “I’ll have a pulled pork sandwich, a pickle, and corn chips, please, and a tall sweet tea.”

She took her food to the table and sat down beside Tootsie, but her eyes kept darting back to the guy and his family, who’d ordered their food and were heading toward a table across the way.

“Looks a lot like Eli from a distance,” Tootsie said. “You want to talk about it?”

“Not until tomorrow night—remember the rules? But I do want to talk about this amazing little vendor who had handmade jewelry that she’d made from natural materials.” She dug around in her bag, brought out three small velvet pouches, and opened one. “Look at this beautiful blue necklace with brown streaks that I got for Natalie’s Christmas.”

“She’s going to love that. What’s that braided rope made of that it’s hanging on?” Joanie asked.

“I don’t know, but it sure caught my eye. They’re all so modern looking, and the girls might like something pretty to wear if they get to go out during their last weeks of training,” Carmen said.

Diana hadn’t gotten a lot of shopping done, other than a small cross-stitched piece for Joanie to hang on her wall in her new house. It simply said “Bless This Home,” but the fall colors and tiny leaves that were scattered around the letters would remind her of the time they all shared in Scrap.

Mostly, she’d wandered around or sat on a bench and watched the people, but that little piece of needlework brought to mind the difference in a house and a home. She’d done her best to keep a home for Rebecca, especially after the divorce. Now she’d have to be careful, or with just her rattling around in their place alone, it could easily turn into nothing more than a house.

Conversation among the four of them had come to a halt while they ate their food. That was fine with Diana because she was trying to analyze the maternal feelings that had washed over her when she’d seen a gangly little girl with dark braids and big brown eyes earlier. In that moment she’d wished that she still had a daughter in the house, one who’d throw her backpack down inside the door instead of taking it to her room and who never got the cap back on the toothpaste.

Rebecca had been gone only two nights when they’d left on their trip—and the first one, Diana had stayed at Carmen’s house. The second she’d spent packing and getting ready to leave, but when she got back to Sugar Run, she’d really feel the emptiness. Not that she was ready to change her mind about adopting a child or children. No, sir! But she’d been consumed with her daughter’s life since the divorce, and now Rebecca was gone. She thought about the empty house with no one to keep her company—well, that was downright scary.

Joanie pointed at her. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.” Diana stood and started putting all the trash in one disposable tray to throw away. They’d run from their empty nests by taking this trip, but they were waiting for them when they got home—Carmen’s maybe even more than the others because she had to face hers with no husband or daughter in the house. But then maybe Joanie would have a tough time, too, since she’d be faced with leaving. Diana had heard all her life about how change was good, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be painful.

“I’m plumb worn out,” Tootsie said on Sunday evening when they reached the hotel after the second day of shopping. “I barely have enough energy for our meeting, but we all need it, and besides, the wine will give me a fresh burst. Should we get some pizza delivered to go with it?”

“I’ve eaten too much for two days,” Carmen said with a groan. “But I did buy some pecan tassies from a vendor that will go well with the wine.”

“And I bought some brown-sugar fudge to take home, but if we want to sample it, there’s plenty,” Joanie offered.

“I could toss some chocolate-covered pretzels into the mix,” Diana suggested.

“Y’all save all that to take home and share with Luke. I tucked a package of Oreos into my suitcase, and since they’re dark, I brought red wine.” Tootsie got into the elevator. “We’ll meet in mine and Carmen’s room in half an hour. That’ll give us all time to get a shower and into our comfortable pajamas.”

“I’m glad we’ve got rooms right across the hall from each other. My pajamas are pretty ratty,” Joanie laughed.

“Sounds like that would be a good present for you.” Tootsie was first out into the short hallway when the elevator doors opened. “Which reminds me, Diana and Luke both have a birthday while we’re in Scrap. Luke’s is on Thanksgiving this year. We’ll have a party for Diana on the fifteenth, but we’ll combine Luke’s with Thanksgiving.” She touched her key card to the device on the door. “See y’all in a little bit.”

“You want the first shower?” Carmen asked when they were in the room.

“No, you go on ahead. I’ll sit down and catch my breath. I’d forgotten how tiring two whole days of shopping can be.” Tootsie dropped her loaded bag on the floor and slumped down on the end of the sofa.

She waited until she heard the water running in the shower and then grabbed her phone from her purse. Luke sounded out of breath when he answered on the third ring. “Hello. Y’all havin’ fun?”

“We’re plumb tuckered out,” Tootsie answered. “How’s Dolly? Is she missing me?”

“She sits in your recliner and pouts,” Luke chuckled. “So what’s been going on? Y’all got lots of shopping done?”

“We decided not to talk about our problems for the whole two days,” Tootsie said, “and we haven’t, but I guess Joanie’s move is really happening, because Brett called a real estate agent and got things started. I thought they might back out and he’d decide to get a job in San Antonio, but no.”

“Does that make you sad?” Luke asked.

“A little. I’m happy for her, but it’s going to be an adjustment for all of us, and right here on the heels of their girls all leaving and Smokey’s death. Seems like it’s a lot to handle at once.” Tootsie kicked off her shoes and propped up her feet on the coffee table.