Here We Come (Aggie's Inheritance) (179 page)

“It’s
always
the
first
thing
gone…”

Tina
giggled.
“I
found
out
the
secret
of
that.
It
appears
that
the
ladies
all
put
a
large
helping
on
their
plate
and
scoop
into
the
trash
immediately.
They
take
turns
distracting
her.
Our
gal
with
the
brilliant
idea
seems
a
bit
tired
of
the
charade.”

“Well,
it
does
seem
dishonest…”

As
a
woman
passed,
Tina
stopped
her.
“Oh,
Tilly!
Thank
you
for
bringing
the
punch.
I
can’t
believe
I
forgot
something
so
basic!”

The
woman
beamed.
“I
was
happy
to.
I’ve
always
wanted
to
try
this
recipe.”

Aggie
nearly
choked
at
Tina’s
half-suppressed
look
of
horror
that
she
could
only
hope
no
one
but
she
recognized.
“Oh,
what
kind
is
it?”

“It
has
raspberry
sherbet,
raspberries,
lemon-lime
soda,
coconut
milk…”
Tilly
fumbled.
“Well,
there
was
something
else.
Also,
I
had
to
make
the
coconut
milk
myself.
The
stuff
in
the
container
didn’t
have
any
coconut
flavor
at
all!
That
was
what
took
so
long
.
I
didn’t
have
time
to
make
my
casserole,
but
Tina
said
we’d
have
enough
food
without
it.
”

“Tina
is
a
master
at
stuff
like
that.”
In
her
peripheral
vision,
Aggie
watched
as
Tina
crept
to
the
punch
table,
ready
to
knock
the
bowl
off
if
necessary,
and
take
a
sip.
“Well,
if
Tina’s
expression
is
any
indication,
your
work
was
well
worth
it.”

Beaming,
Tilly
hurried
to
hear
from
Tina
herself
just
how
lip-smacking
good
the
drink
really
was.
Aggie’s
eyes
scanned
the
room,
trying
to
see
who
all
had
come.
Several
ladies
from
Allie’s
church
were
there,
and
according
to
Vannie,
the ladies
who
had
been
prepared
to
take
the
children
if she had declined were among them
.
Luke’s
aunts
and
sisters
waved
energetically
from
one
corner,
beckoning
her
to
join
them.

She
hurried
to
Libby’s
side
and
said,
“Save
me
a
seat.
I’ll
sit
with
you
all
once
I’m
done
eating,
but
I
should
try
to
visit
with
Allie’s
friends
for
a
few
minutes
at
least.
I
can’t
believe
that
Tina
invited
them
and
that
they
came!”

Tina
called
the
room
to
order
the
minute
the
last
fork
dropped
on
its
plate.
“We
have
a
few
games
to
play.
I
know
everyone
says
they
hate
them,
but
if
they
were
really
horrible,
I
don’t
think
they’d
still
be
a
part
of
showers
or
have
websites
devoted
to
ensuring
their
continued
use!
And
,
play
we
shall!”

Two
teams
were
formed
to
design
toilet
paper
wedding
gowns
on
Aggie
and
Tina.
With
Libby
on
Tina’s
team,
it
was
no
surprise
to
Aggie
when
a
full
petticoat
was
constructed
before
they
ever
attempted
to
layer
a
skirt
onto
her
dress.
Aggie’s,
by
comparison,
looked
like
a
ghost’s
bride—and
a
tatty
one
at
that.
“Nice
crinoline
there,
Libby!”