Jessica rolled her eyes. “I suppose…”
With newfound energy, Elizabeth sat erect and licked her lips. “Is he a good kisser?”
A giggle erupted out of Jessica’s mouth, her friend’s first question, easy. “Yes. Very.”
“Good! You deserve a good kisser after being married to Mr. Thin Lips for so long.”
“Elizabeth!” Jessica admonished, even though her comment was accurate.
“Is he really a gardener?”
Jessica furrowed her brow, not sure how to answer. “Yes?”
“Hmmm… trick question. He’s a gardener now, but was he one before?”
Chewing on her lower lip, Jessica turned her back on her friend and put the paring knife she’d been using in the sink. Wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, she contemplated her answer before turning around and nodding. “Tim lived on an almond farm in California.”
“Oooo, California—so he’s not from around here?”
Jessica shook her head. “No.”
“Is his name Tim?”
“Yes,” Jessica blurted confidently.
“Last name, McGill?”
Jessica bit her lip again and changed the subject. “Are you almost done with the inquisition? The girls need to eat and don’t you have a fancy luncheon to get to? You know I’m not going to tell you everything right now.”
“Okay, okay. Just one more,” Elizabeth interrupted. She stared right at Jessica with laser beam focus. “Does Mr. Tim whose last name isn’t really McGill havemoney?”
Jessica could feel her chest rise as she inhaled slowly. She didn’t have to confirm or deny the question because her friend already knew without an audible answer.
“Bingo,” she whispered, demurely touching her nose with her index finger. She winked before getting up. “I’m leaving girlies! Say goodbye to your Auntie Elizabeth!”
Jennifer, Jill, and Julia squealed and surrounded the woman hugging her legs. As Elizabeth hugged and patted them on their fair heads, she looked over at Jessica one last time. “For the record, I’m relieved. When you’re ready to tell me more, you just let me know!”
