Merry Wives of Maggody (39 page)

We sat in silence for a long while. I figured Ruby Bee was thinking about those giddy times in Hot Springs. I decided to send the information about Fred Carter, alias Frederick Cartier, to the Amarillo authorities and then let it go. As Ruby Bee said, I’d turned out okay. So had she.

“I had a call from Jack’s sister last night,” I said.

Ruby Bee beamed as she grabbed my hand. “Is she planning the wedding? I’m not one to meddle, but you deserve the wedding I never had. His children will make right cute attendants. His daughter can sprinkle flower petals on the path, and his son can be the ring bearer. Did you choose your colors? I always fancied blue and white. As the mother of the bride, I can wear lavender. It goes right nice with blue. If you don’t get going soon, it’s gonna have to be baby blue.”

“He’ll be home in plenty of time,” I went on, aware that she wasn’t listening. “She talked to an assistant director who was in Belém to pick up supplies. Everybody’s fine.”

“Estelle says she can rent a gazebo, so you can get married in her backyard, but I don’t want to be distracted by mosquitoes when you say your vows. I wish the bar and grill was fancier…”

I gave her a hug. “It’ll be perfect.”