“Still, it’s not as if anything’s final,” Jeanette protested. “I haven’t even applied for the loan yet. I can’t do that until Monday.”
“Oh, please, you’ll get the loan,” Helen said. “Just use all of us as references. I’m telling you, it’s a done deal.”
“So, this definitely qualifies as big news,” Dana Sue said in her own defense. “It’s something you share with friends.” The last was said with a look at Mary Vaughn that came very close to suggesting she was an unwelcome interloper.
Jeanette saw the quick flash of hurt in Mary Vaughn’s eyes, but doubted anyone else did—she’d covered it too quickly. In an instant, the Realtor was on her feet, a smile firmly in place.
“I’ll leave you to your celebration,” Mary Vaughn said, reaching for her purse.
“No,” Jeanette said, sending a warning look toward Dana Sue. “You have to stay. At least for one glass of champagne.”
“I don’t know,” Mary Vaughn said, glancing warily at Dana Sue.
“Stay,” Dana Sue said, clearly taking her cue from Jeanette. The single word might not have been uttered with much warmth or graciousness, but it was enough to have Mary Vaughn sitting down again, albeit on the edge of her chair, clearly prepared to flee.
Most of the other diners had left, so Ronnie helped Dana Sue pull some tables together. Maddie’s Kyle and Katie were instructed to keep Jessica Lynn and Karen’s son and daughter from destroying the place, while the babies slept quietly in their carriers.
“Okay, tell us how this happened,” Maddie instructed Jeanette. “I had no idea you were even looking at houses.”
“I wasn’t,” Jeanette admitted. “Tom was. I went along with him after work today. I stole this one right out from under his nose.”
“Broke my heart, too,” he claimed with a heavy sigh. “I loved this house.”
Jeanette frowned at him. “Oh, you did not. I saw the expression on your face when you saw all that chintz in the living room.”
He grinned. “Well, all those flowers were a little overwhelming, but the furniture’s going.” He turned to Mary Vaughn. “It is going, isn’t it?”
“What difference does it make to you?” Jeanette inquired. “You’re not the one who has to live with it.”
“Hey,” he protested. “I thought we had a deal.”
Helen regarded him with a withering look. “What deal?” She turned to Jeanette. “Tell me you did not make some kind of deal with him without letting me look over the paperwork. I’m still a little miffed that you didn’t discuss the contract for the house with me before you signed it.”
“I had to act quickly to get the house,” Jeanette told her. “There was another bidder. You can handle the closing for me, I promise. In fact, you can handle every detail from now on. I’m clueless about this kind of thing.”
“But what about this deal Tom mentioned?” Helen persisted. “What’s that about?”
Jeanette scowled at him. “He thinks he’s being amusing. He got some crazy idea about renting a room from me in exchange for his help with some of the renovations.”
“It’s a good deal,” Tom insisted.
Ronnie regarded him with amusement and maybe just a hint of admiration for his ingenuity. “Nice plan, but I have to ask. Do you know one end of a hammer from another?”
“I have plenty of skills that are useful around the house,” Tom said.
“But do any of them have anything to do with renovations?” Cal asked, then got a sharp nudge in the ribs from Maddie. He frowned at her. “Hey, what did I do?”
“You’re embarrassing Tom and Jeanette,” Maddie told him.
“It was a fair question,” he protested, looking to Ronnie, Elliot and Erik for support. “Wasn’t it fair?”
“Definitely fair,” Ronnie agreed. “Just not smart.”
Tom turned to Ronnie. “You can check me out yourself. Turn me loose with a few tools.”
Jeanette rolled her eyes. “I don’t care if you receive a stamp of approval from these guys and show me a diploma from trade school, you are not moving in with me. I intend to hire a qualified contractor. Ronnie, can you recommend someone?”
“You name the time and I’ll look over what you need done and help you find the right guy,” Ronnie told her.
“Traitor,” Tom murmured.
Ronnie grinned. “I go home with one of these women. When push comes to shove, I take my cues from them.”
“Whatever happened to men sticking together?” Tom lamented.
“Obviously those men are not married to Sweet Magnolias,” Cal said, still rubbing his side where Maddie had poked him.
Jeanette glanced at Mary Vaughn during this exchange and saw the wistful look in her eyes. For once it didn’t seem to be directed toward Ronnie in particular, but rather the whole group. She was glad she’d included her. This wasn’t the first time she’d sensed that despite her success, Mary Vaughn was lonely. Jeanette had a feeling she wanted desperately to be included, but didn’t know how, especially with her history with Dana Sue and Ronnie.
Jeanette looked around at those gathered. “This is so nice of you guys. I think one of the things I like most about living in Serenity is that I found such good friends here. It’s like being surrounded by family.”
“Family isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be,” Mary Vaughn said bitterly, then looked surprised and embarrassed at having spoken.
“Amen to that,” Tom said, giving her a commiserating look. “What is it they say? You get to choose your friends, not your family.”
“Which is exactly why I count myself lucky to have found all of you,” Jeanette said. “I think we should have another toast, this time to friendship.”
“I can certainly drink to that,” Maddie said.
“Absolutely,” Helen chimed in, as did Dana Sue, Karen and even the men.
Karen’s eyes were misty. “I can testify to how important all of you are in my life. You turned it around.” Her gaze held Elliot’s. “You and Elliot, of course.”
“Of course,” Maddie said dryly. “Have you two set a wedding date yet?”
“I’m pushing for an elopement,” Elliot said. “But Karen and
