Honeysuckle Summer (The Sweet Magnolias #7)(41)

“Of course you do,” Helen said. “It all goes back to Paul Hammond.”

“That’s probably too simplistic,” Raylene said. “Paul’s certainly part of it. Anyway, I’m trying to sort it all out with Dr. McDaniels.”

“Maybe you should see how that goes before you add in a distraction like Carter,” Helen advised.

Sarah turned on her. “Why are you being such a downer? I think Carter’s the best thing that’s happened to Raylene in a long time. You should see how she glows when he’s around.”

“That’s terrific,” Helen conceded. “I’m just concerned that he—or any man—might start out thinking he can deal with a woman in Raylene’s situation, but then realize all the ramifications.” Helen shrugged. “I don’t want to see Raylene get hurt.”

“You’re assuming she’s not going to get better,” Sarah said. “I believe she will. She’s been making progress. Tell them, Raylene.”

When Raylene remained silent, Sarah added, “She’s been going outside every day.”

Helen looked mildly impressed. “That’s great, but—”

“Okay, stop it, you two,” Raylene ordered. “It’s not as if Carter and I are having a serious relationship. Right now we seem to be enjoying each other’s company. That’s it.”

“You’re getting involved with his family,” Helen said. “That sounds serious to me.”

“We’re all getting involved with Carrie,” Raylene corrected.

Helen frowned. “Still, you can see my point,” she said, looking to Maddie and Dana Sue for support.

“Raylene is a grown woman,” Maddie said. “I’m sure she understands the risks.”

“Better than most,” Raylene said quietly. After all, none of the other women in this room had had their hearts broken quite the way hers had been. If she could open hers again, she saw it as a testament to the spirit of hope that still lived deep inside her.



Walter ate the salad that Raylene had prepared for him. He was actually starting to like what he’d always thought of as rabbit food. He enjoyed the company even more, though she’d been getting on his nerves today with all her questions about Rory Sue. He was tired of being on the defensive, so he turned the tables on her.

“I hear you had another one of those margarita-night things here last night. Why didn’t you include Rory Sue?”

Raylene frowned at the question. “She’s never been a Sweet Magnolia.”

“Is it like some kind of secret society that requires a long social pedigree?”

“Of course not.”

“An engraved invitation?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Then why not ask her?”

“I don’t make the rules,” she said defensively.

“There are rules?”

“You know what I mean. It was started by Maddie, Dana Sue and Helen, then they included Jeanette because she works with them at the spa. They asked Annie because she was Dana Sue’s daughter and Maddie’s daughter-in-law. She brought me and Sarah along. It’s not some big, formal organization, for pity’s sake. It’s just a bunch of friends who get together to talk about their lives.”

“Seems to me Rory Sue could use some friends like that.”

Raylene frowned at his persistence. “You’re awfully protective of her all of a sudden. Has this thing between you gotten serious?”

“No. I just feel bad because she’s living back here now and she’s lonely.”

Raylene studied him intently. “Do you think that’s the only reason she’s latched onto you, because she’s lonely?”

He shrugged. “Could be.” He was pretty sure he wasn’t the kind of man Rory Sue was used to dating.

When he met Raylene’s gaze, she was staring at him incredulously. “Do you not have any idea what a catch you are, Walter? You’re handsome. You’re turning into a great dad.” She gave him a pointed look. “That’s still a work in progress, of course.”

“Of course,” he said wryly, amused by her determination to remind him that he had a long way to go before he’d qualify for father of the year in her book.

She merely frowned at him. “Please tell me that you don’t believe you were a better catch when you stood to inherit your family’s cotton mill.”

“Let’s face it,” he said. “Selling ads for a radio station in Serenity is never going to be financially rewarding.”

“There are more important things,” she said at once. “You know that, Walter. You stayed here because of your kids, so I know your values aren’t entirely screwed up. Did Rory Sue say something to make you question your decision to stay in Serenity?”

“No, but she’s grown up with a pretty big sense of entitlement. Money matters to her.”

“Then she can earn her own,” Raylene retorted. “And if she’s that shallow, you don’t want her anyway. Cut her loose.”

Walter smiled at her indignation. “Slow down. I’m just thinking out loud here, trying to anticipate some of the pitfalls in this relationship.”

“So there is a relationship?” she said triumphantly.