Page 84 of The Party Line

“Yes, it is, and I’ve got something else to tell you that I hope you think is as wonderful. This fall Aunt Gracie wants to give you and your sister both a scholarship to go to college,” I told her.

Her eyebrows drew down. “How can Gracie give me anything? She’s gone.”

“She left a certain amount for scholarships ...” It wasn’t a lie. She did have a fund set up while she was alive to help women in need. “And since I’m the one who takes care of the estate, I’m giving you and Stephanie funds for books, tuition, dorm fees, and a cafeteria card. You can save what you make this summer for spending money.”

“Are you serious?” Gina Lou plopped down in a chair.

“Yes, I am,” I told her. “All you have to do to keep the scholarship from one semester to the next is pass all your courses. Same for your sister.”

“I’m dreaming, right?” she whispered.

“No, darlin’, you are wide awake,” I replied.

“Can I tell Stephanie?”

“Why don’t we make a party of it and invite your family to dinner tomorrow night? Lila can announce it then,” Mama suggested. “Annie and I will help cook and organize. It’s been a long time since a party has been held in this house.”

“And we can ask Jasper and Connor, too?” Gina Lou asked.

“Of course.” Mama shot a look at me. “I need to get to know Connor. He could very well be the father of my grandchildren someday.”

“Mama!”

“Well, I’m right and that’s the truth,” she said. “I’m a new person since I’ve traveled outside of Texas. I’m not going to judge all men by your biological father anymore. There are a few good guys out there. Take George Strait, for an example. He’s been married for more than fifty years, and I’ve never seen any rumors on him in those trashy magazines.”

“The hero of Poteet, Texas, wouldn’t dare,” I said in mock horror. “Aunt Gracie would have given him a talkin’ to if she’d seen his faceon one of those things. And nobody would want her to be angry with them.”

Mama’s eyes darted around the room. “She’s not here anymore.”

Gina Lou got up from the table and brought a pan of hot cinnamon rolls out of the oven. “Breakfast is served—and, Miz Sarah, I do believe that Gracie decided to stay behind in Nashville for a few more days. You don’t have to worry about her coming back to this house. She’s done with it.”

“Thank you,” I mouthed.

Gina Lou glazed the rolls and set the pan in the middle of the table. “I love the idea of a party tomorrow evening. I’ll tell Mama that the family is coming to tour the house. What are we serving? Is it going to be a sit-down meal?”

“Let’s do it up right with Aunt Gracie’s good dishes,” Mama suggested. “We can make a ham and have all the trimmings. I’ll do the hot rolls.”

My phone rang. I fished it out of my back pocket and okayed the FaceTime call.

“Good morning, Connor,” I said. “Mama came home a day early. I’m having cinnamon rolls and coffee with her and Gina Lou. Want to come over and share?”

“Can’t. Grandpa and I have another meeting today, and we’ll be late getting out of it, but I might be able to come by about seven,” he said.

“That sounds great, and tomorrow night we’re having a little dinner party for Gina Lou’s folks. Can you come to that?” I asked, and then added, “And bring Everett with you.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said. “Y’all enjoy your breakfast.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

The dining room table would accommodate fifteen people, and every seat was full when we all sat down for supper. Maybe Mama had been right about ghosts being in the house, because I could feel Aunt Gracie hovering around. In my imagination she had a big smile on her face when she looked at Gina Lou’s parents—Rachel and John—and her six siblings. At one time I swear I saw her even wink at me and give me a nod of approval.

Connor nudged me with his shoulder. “What are you thinking about?”

“How nice it is to have a full table,” I whispered.

“Connor tells me that you are thinking about running the strawberry farm when my lease is up,” Everett said.

“Yes, I am, and maybe even making strawberry wine.” I noticed that John had finished the last of his hot roll, so I passed them around the table.

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