Page 27 of Until Joy

I laughed. “You wait there, I’ll open your door, and we can each walk in carrying a cake.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Before I even had the passenger side door open, the back gate was open, and Graham came outside. He’d told Wes he’d help set up, and I was running late on the baking so that was why he couldn’t pick us up.

“It’s about time you got here, Doll. Miss Laverne, you look pretty as a picture.”

Graham swept in and kissed her on her cheek, and she gave him a soft slap on his chest. “You are good for an old woman’s ego.”

“Everyone’s been asking for you.”

“Well, we’re here now. You’re going to have to convince your young lady that this is a pool party. She is covering up her swimsuit.”

Graham gave me a heated look, and I found myself blushing.

“Is that the swimsuit that used to be April’s?” he asked.

I nodded.

“I can’t wait to see it.” He took my pineapple upside down cake from my hands, and I carried in the chocolate marble fudge cake. Miss Laverne walked in between us. As soon as we made our way through the back fence, a chorus of cheers were shouted out.

A beautiful woman with red hair came rushing over and wrapped her arms around Miss Laverne.

“November, it is so good to see you. It’s been too long.”

“Miss Laverne, you are looking lovely. Coral suits you. I love those earrings. Wait until Liz sees them, she’s going to want to steal them.” This had to be July’s mom.

“I want to introduce you to my houseguest. This is Joy Magill. She’s from Jasper Creek. She is Esperance’s great-granddaughter.”

November turned to me. “Look at this cake. It looks amazing. July told me you were a genius when it came to baked goods. Let me take this from you, Joy. I’ll put it in the kitchen for now.” She turned to Graham. “Follow me, and you can put the other cake in the kitchen, too.” She turned back to me. “What kind is it?”

“Pineapple upside down cake.”

“Everybody’s going to love that.” She grinned. “Miss Laverne, why don’t you introduce Joy to some folks as you wander over to the seat we set up for you. It’s in the shade next to the back fence.” November pointed at a padded chair that looked like it was indoor furniture.

“November, you didn’t need to go to that much bother.”

“Yes, we did. What’s in that bag you’re carrying? Is it the quilt for my grandbabies? Can I take a peek?”

Miss Laverne patted the fabric bag she was holding and grinned at November. “You’ll see it when everybody else does.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “Come on, Graham. To the kitchen.”

“Joy!” I turned around and saw Kayan and July headed my way. I winced. I knew I was going to be in trouble.

“What are you doing dressed in shorts and a shirt?” Kayan demanded to know.

“You better have your swimsuit on underneath those clothes.” July gave me the stink eye.

I looked at July’s bikini. She hadn’t been kidding. Her bikini was gold, and it did have tassels on each hip. Meanwhile, Kayan was wearing a lime green one-piece that hugged her figure like a second skin.

Looking around the backyard, I saw at least six people in the pool, and almost all of the women wore swimsuits that showed off their bodies. I stopped when I saw July’s sister, December. She was wearing a modest bikini top, and a sarong around her waist. Actually, the whole place reminded me of the parties back home in Jasper Creek.

“Where can I change?”

“Strip down here.” Kayan waved her hand at me.

I blushed.