Ruth-Ann came straight to the counter. “I had to run some school errands for Mr. Stewart and thought I’d stop in to buy more of Granny Hayes’s cute little earrings. They’re the big thing at school right now.” She adjusted the mirror beside the display so she could see herself, and held one up to her ear.

She held up another earring. “I like these better. I heard that Holly had a falling-out with the Sanchez twins, and that Holly is now best friends with Faith Torres.” Ruth-Ann laid two pairs of earrings on the counter and fumbled in her purse for her credit card. “I would never have put those two together. I guess opposites really do attract.”

“I guess they do.” Lily exhaled slowly.

“Is Holly devastated that she won’t get to go to the quinceañera party?” Ruth-Ann asked.

“Not in the least.” Lily rang up the sale and ran the credit card. “And I’m really glad, since I don’t have to buy a fancy dress for her to wear.”

“I went to one for Janie Green when I was fifteen,” Ruth-Ann sighed. “It was even better than our high school proms or the school Christmas party we throw for the teachers every year.”

Teena headed for the door. “I’m showing a house at nine, so I have to be going. See y’all later.”

The minute Teena was out the door, Ruth-Ann leaned across the counter and whispered, “I also heard that Ryder Smith is getting married real soon because his girlfriend is pregnant. Do y’all know the date?”

Lily shrugged as she handed Ruth-Ann the sales slip to sign. “Thank you. I know Granny Hayes will be tickled that her earrings are selling so well.”

“They’re really cute.” Ruth-Ann headed toward the door, then turned back. “We really must do lunch or go shopping sometime, Lily.”

Lily nodded but didn’t commit to anything. She eased down into the chair that Teena had vacated, and sighed. “I told Mack about the kids in confidence.”

Sally patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. Mack does not spread gossip. Ruth-Ann probably heard about the parties from a student in the hallway. Kids tend to think that teachers can’t hear their whispers.” She picked up her coat. “I’m going to an estate sale in Fredericksburg this morning. The advertisement said that it would open at ten and that there would be lots of crystal glassware. This younger generation doesn’t know what they’re passing up when their grannies offer to give them their priceless collections of pretty dishes.”

She hadn’t been gone but a few minutes when Lily’s second customer of the day arrived. By noon, she’d had a total of five. Two of them were small-time buyers and spent less than twenty dollars each. The other three made up for it. They came in together and said they had a shop in San Antonio that sold only items made in Texas. Lily showed them Granny Hayes’s shawls, scarves, and earrings, and they bought the entire stock for resale in their business.

When they’d left, Mack arrived with a brown bag in his hands. “I brought food,” he said. “Burgers and fries and root beer. Hope you haven’t eaten already.” He pulled two cans from the pockets of his denim coat.

“No, but I’m hungry.” She opened the bag as soon as he set it down. “Ruth-Ann came by this morning.”

“I already heard.” He got out the burgers and fries and set them on the counter. “That’s one of the reasons I’m here. Did she say anything about those river parties?”

“Nope.” Lily unwrapped a burger and took a bite.

“That’s good. The kids are all whispering about it in the hallways. I was afraid that you’d think I’d betrayed your confidence, and I’d never do that.” He unwrapped his burger. “I also wanted to see you.”

“Thank you for that. Why didn’t you bring enough food for Sally?”

“Because she’s over in Sisterdale at a sale and won’t be back until after lunch,” he replied.

“Fredericksburg,” Lily corrected him.

“She went there first, but now she’s in Sisterdale. There’s an antique dresser over there that she’s interested in buying. She sent a picture of it to the English teacher who is all excited about it and was showing off the picture of it in the teacher’s lounge. Sally is buying it for her,” Mack explained. “And Rose and Ivy have bragged too many times to too many people about those parties on Friday nights, but the older kids are moving the party out to Grandpa Opperman’s vacant barn. Don’t tell me that kids aren’t smart these days.”

“Devious and stupid is more like it.” Lily was glad that Holly wasn’t going to the party. “Grandpa Opperman has a shotgun and a temper.”

“He died last year. His place has been cleaned out, and it’s up for sale. Adam thought I should buy it, but it’s too big for what I need.” Mack squirted ketchup over his fries. “You’d think that kids couldn’t get into too much trouble in only a couple of hours.”

“I imagine it’ll go down something like this,” Lily told him. “Susie will tell her parents they’re spending the night with Grace. Grace will say she’s staying with Amber. Then Amber will say that she’s staying with Susie. The story will be that the mothers will take the girls home early on Saturday morning, and some kid who’s old enough to drive will really be the one to drop them off. Boys will do the same thing, and if no one gets caught, then the parents are never the wiser.”

“Man, I’m glad I’m not that age anymore,” Mack said. “You’re right. They are devious little snots. How’d you get so smart about all this?”

“Duh!” Lily popped her palm against her forehead. “Smoking pot in the library bathroom not even a month ago. I’m surprised that Holly’s not mixed up in the middle of it all.”

“Maybe,” Mack chuckled, “no laptop, phone, or any electronic device has taught her a lesson. I’ve got to get back to school now. I’ve got an FFA adviser meeting after school. The teachers from several surrounding schools are gathering, so I won’t be home until after dark. I’ll miss having supper with y’all tonight.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead and headed for the door.

Dammit! She wished that she could tell him that she was already putting deep roots down in Comfort and never wanted to go back to Austin. But a promise was a promise, and she’d given the kids her word.