Page 69 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

Simone nodded.

"You fussed because somebody picked roses out of your flowerbed."

"They were expensive roses."

"You used to count your lemons too."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

"You even made Mr. Harris bring his grandkids over to apologize for picking fruit."

The women erupted again. Even Camille laughed.

Her smile slipped for a moment, then she reached for the wine bottle and refilled her glass.

Miss Evelyn noticed too. She watched Camille quietly over her glass but stayed silent.

I was finally starting to relax when the front door opened.

A man's voice drifted through the foyer.

"I made it."

I heard the sound before I understood the words. My whole body tensed up. I couldn’t breathe. No. Not now. Not here.

The women’s faces brightened immediately.

"There you are!"

"We were wondering if you were coming."

Someone laughed. Another voice called from the foyer, but I couldn’t hear what they said. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears. I stared at my full wineglass. Don’t look up. Don’t move.

A warm hand rested on my forearm. It was Miss Evelyn. She didn’t look at the foyer or at me, but she seemed to understand.

"Maci," she said softly.

"Would you mind helping me outside for a moment?"

I forced a smile.

"Of course."

We didn’t rush. We walked quietly through the kitchen and out to the back patio while everyone else stayed busy. The cool night air met us. Crickets chirped somewhere beyond the trees. Miss Evelyn kept walking toward the edge of the property without saying anything. Behind a row of hedges, a narrow dirt path appeared. She stepped onto it immediately.

I followed her. After a few quiet moments, she stopped and turned a little to look at me. Her eyes held no surprise, only certainty. A faint smile crossed her lips.

"I'm sure you know the way very well."

A chill went through me.

I looked at her face. She met my eyes for a moment, then her smile grew softer.

"Good night, Maci."

She turned and walked back to the house, fading into the trees.