Carnal Innocence

congratulatory pat on the back. “Why don’t you take a break?”
    “Why don’t I?” Caroline meticulously unloaded. Unlike Susie, she was less than comfortable carrying a loaded gun. “I did better than yesterday. It took over two hours for me to hit one of those stupid cans. Today it took”—she checked her watch—“only an hour forty-five.” For lack of a better place, she dumped the spare ammo in her pocket. “Want a drink?”
    “I thought you’d never ask.” They started back toward the house. “You’re keeping Toby and Jim busy. I like the new blue paint. Really freshens the place up.”
    “They’re going to do the porches, too. In white. Can we get through here, Toby?”
    “Sure, just mind your step. Afternoon, Mrs. Truesdale.”
    “Hey, Toby. When you’re done here, why don’t you come on by and shame Burke into fixing my side door? It still sticks.”
    He grinned, wiping his face with his bandanna. The dirt from under the porch clung to his skin, settled wetly into the creases. “Now, I told him what needed to be done there. Musta been six months ago.”
    “He tells me he’s getting around to it.” She stepped around the toolbox. “I guess he’s got a lot on his mind.”
    Toby’s smile faded. “Yes’m. Jim, you hold that board steady now.” He kept his eyes on his hands as Caroline ushered Susie into the kitchen.
    “Well now, there’s that little pup I’ve heard so much about.” Susie crouched down to where Useless was huddled under one of the kitchen chairs—a position he’d assumed since the first shot was fired.
    “Yeah, my fierce guard dog.” Caroline watched as he trembled and whined and licked at Susie’s hand. “I must have been crazy.”
    “No, just soft-hearted. Thanks.” She stood, accepting the glass of iced tea Caroline offered. “I’ve been meaning to stop on out before. It’s been real hectic since Marvella got engaged.”
    “I heard about that.” Noting the look in Susie’s eyes, Caroline searched through the cupboards for something high in sugar and low in nutrition. She settled on the cupcakes she’d bought to treat Jim at lunch. “Here, have some chocolate and preservatives.”
    “Thanks.” Susie sniffled and tore at the cellophane. “I swear, I’ve been as bad as a leaky faucet ever since it happened. I just think about it and off I go.” She bit into the cupcake. “I knew it was coming, of course. They’ve been mooning around each other for two years. When they weren’t mooning they were scrapping, and that’s a sure sign.”
    “But she’s your little girl.”
    “Yeah.” Susie swiped at a tear. “My baby. My first baby, I’m okay when I get caught up in the wedding plans, but if I just sit and think about it, I start dripping.”
    Caroline eyed the second cupcake, and decided she deserved it. “Have they set a date?”
    “September. Marvella’s always been partial to chrysanthemums. She wants the church full of them, and her five bridesmaids in fall-colored dresses. She’s got her own ideas, all right. Russet and gold, she says.” Firing up, Susie licked crumbs from her fingers. “Now, I say russet’s like red, and seems inappropriate for a church wedding, but she’s set. Won’t even talk about pastels.” Susie caught Caroline’s look and grinned. “I know, I know, colors aren’t so important as why. It’s just easier for me to think about them, and the music, and if we’re going to have the reception outside at the house or if we should rent out the Moose Hall.” She gave a slow sigh. “Burke and I had a justice of the peace wedding.”
    “I’m sure between you and Marvella everything’s going to be beautiful.”
    “I’d feel better if I could talk her into rose instead of russet.” She polished off the cupcake. “We’re going down to Jackson this weekend to shop. You’re welcome to come along if you’d like.”
    “I appreciate that. But I don’t have anything to shop for.”
    “When a woman needs an excuse to shop, she must have something on her mind.”
    Caroline licked some of the sticky white filling off her fingers. “I guess I do. I guess we all do.”
    “Burke’s hardly been home to do more than fall into bed for a couple of hours since Austin took off.” She tilted her head. “Honey, you’re not worried that he’s going to come back here and bother you?”
    “I don’t know.” Restless, Caroline rose. “I can’t quite dismiss it, though there isn’t a reasonable motive