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takes a lot of concentration finding just the right spot and then waiting it out, you know.”
    â€œHe’s right,” Jacob agreed. “It’s almost like a science. And Bob here makes a masterful teacher.”
    â€œYou’re not a fisherman by nature?” Molly asked.
    â€œNo ma’am. My daddy didn’t do too much in the way of outdoor sports. His chosen method of relaxing was sitting with a brew in hand watching a game of some sort on TV. I never did any fishing until Bob goaded me into it.” He grinned.
    â€œAnd you should be mighty grateful,” Bob said. “You’re now able to keep you and your wife-to-be in fresh fillets, if need be. A modern-day provider of meals to your family.”
    â€œOh, no,” Sally-Jo groaned. “I think a fish meal a month is enough for me.”
    Bob pretended to be shocked.
    â€œI’m a once-a-week man, myself,” Mark Dreyfus said as he rounded the corner, carrying a case of Coors beer.
    Lizzie turned to him with a wide smile on her face. It felt more like a week rather than just a couple of days since she’d talked to him. He gave her a quick kiss, then deposited the beer on one of the tables that had been set up as a bar.
    â€œSo, you had a profitable time,” she said to him.
    â€œYeah. It was good in many ways. Lacking in some,” he added softly, giving her waist a squeeze.
    She felt a flutter in her chest.
    Molly came outside, a plate of ham-and-greens crostini in one hand. She was followed by Stephanie, who was carrying two dishes of appetizers, and Andie carrying Wendy. “I see we’re all here, except for Teensy,” Molly said. “Perhaps you gentlemen would be so good as to serve the liquid refreshment.”
    They were settling all down in the garden chairs, drinks and plates of appetizers in hand, when the kitchen door burst open and Teensy stepped outside holding a large glass plate of fresh fruit.
    â€œMy apologies for being late,” she said, careful not to trip walking down the two stairs in her four-inch-heeled pink sandals. In fact, she wore a variety of shades of pink, all of which contrasted boldly with her red hair.
    â€œI stopped by the Winn-Dixie to pick up this here fruit platter I’d ordered and I got to talking with Bernice Waller. Did y’all know that Frida Moreland is opening a dressmaking shop?”
    â€œI did not know that,” Molly said. “Now why do you suppose she’s doing that? I thought she was happy working for Maisie. I wonder if there’s enough business for another one.”
    Teensy shrugged and sat down beside Stephanie on the wicker settee and accepted a glass of white wine from Bob, who had jumped up to pour it for her. “Why thank you, Bob. I gather the fishing was a success?”
    â€œYou bet. You’re about to enjoy the best fresh barbecued bass you’ve ever had.”
    Teensy laughed. “I can hardly wait.”
    Molly glanced at her watch. Bob said, “You keep checking the time, Molly. Are you planning something special?”
    Molly looked over at Lizzie. “You could say that.” She stood and passed around the plate of crostini. “I’m just wondering when we should start the barbecue going.”
    â€œNow, don’t you worry about anything. It’s all under control. Can I refresh your drink?”
    â€œNo, thank you. I’m quite all right. Should I bring out some more cheese?”
    Everyone murmured that there was quite enough food all ready.
    â€œYou seem a tad jittery today, Molly,” Bob observed. Molly shrugged and passed around the tray of deviled eggs.
    Stephanie spread a blanket on the lawn and set Wendy down to crawl around. “She’s getting to be so big,” Bob said. “She’ll be walking any day now.”
    â€œShe’s already trying,” Stephanie said with a laugh. “I’m busy hiding all my breakables.”
    â€œThat’s