That, at least, made Des laugh.

Chelsea did a fine job of looking bored and scrolling through her phone.

“And, he’s gone,” Chelsea said. “Nothing exciting ever happens in a Walmart parking lot.”

Chelsea pushed a button, waited a second, then said, “He’s gone. Y’all can come out now.”

Within a few minutes, Jane and Emma came back out. Jane was carrying a bag.

Chelsea gave her a look. “I didn’t expect you to actually shop, Jane.”

“Hey, I needed a few things.”

They took off and hit the highway, Emma watching in her mirror.

“You can sit up now, Des. There’s no one following us.”

“I don’t know,” Des said, finally sitting up. “I was enjoying the luxury back there.”

“It is a great SUV, isn’t it?” Chelsea asked. “Will just bought it for him and Jane. I was excited to drive today. Jane was too nervous to be the getaway driver.”

“I was not. Okay, maybe I was. I’m not good at this kind of thing.”

Emma laughed. “This kind of thing. As if trying to lose the paparazzi is something we do all the time.”

“Shut up, Emma,” Jane said.

It was going to be a great day. Des could feel it.

And by the time they arrived at the spa—a place Chelsea swore was swanky, totally discreet, and sworn to secrecy—Des was more than ready for a day of fun.

Chelsea parked in the back of the place and made a call. The back door opened and a very beautiful woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes opened the door to let them in.

“You must be Desiree Jenkins. I’m Francine Willows, owner of Absolute Beauty. Welcome.”

“Thank you, Francine.”

“When Chelsea called me and told me she and her friends—and you—wanted a special spa day, I took the liberty of closing the place to our outside clients today. The fewer people who know you’re here, the less likely those pesky media types will descend upon you.”

“You’re amazing. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“It’s my pleasure. Of course we’re going to take a million pictures of you here today, and after you’re gone, we’ll post them on our website and use them for promotion. With your permission, of course. And I promise we’ll do your hair and makeup and make you look stunning in those photos.”

Des laughed. “Be my guest.”

They started out by undressing and heading to the hot mud room. Despite the heat outside, the temperature in the mud room was set very cool, and the hot mud felt awesome on her skin. She could certainly use the treatment since she was all dried out from filming in the heat. She sipped on some lemon water while she baked. After, she rinsed and Des chose a sea-salt scrub that felt absolutely delicious.

Then it was time for a massage, a forty-five-minute experience that was so luxurious and relaxing that Des fell asleep. Her masseuse gently woke her, and she showered off and was taken to the salon for a manicure and pedicure that perked her up, especially since all the girls sat next to her and had the same treatment. It was fun listening to Emma talk about her and Luke’s wedding plans.

“When’s your wedding date?” she asked Emma.

“In October. It takes a lot to plan a wedding, and with everything else going on, Luke and I wanted to just be with each other first. Plus, Jane and Will are getting married in September.”

Des shifted her gaze to Jane and smiled. “You are? Congratulations.”

“Thank you. We waited a while, too, but I’m tired of waiting. The kids and I want Will living in the house with us. It’ll be a very small affair, just immediate family and friends. I’ve already been through this once. And that marriage didn’t end so well.”

“But this one really counts,” Chelsea said.

Jane was beaming. “Yes, it does. And then as soon as ours is over, Emma and Luke are next.”

Emma laughed. “We had talked about how our weddings are a month apart, but it’s just so perfect.”

“And mine isn’t going to be a big deal. Just a small event, really. While Emma and Luke’s is going to be big.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say big . . .”

“She says that now. But she’s in definite bride-panic-planning mode.” Chelsea grinned.

“Okay. Maybe I am. Thank God for these women, or I’d definitely be in a panic.”

“Who’s in your wedding party, Emma?” Des asked.

“Jane and Chelsea, of course. And my sister, Molly, will be my maid of honor.”

“Yeah, providing you can get her back here for the ceremony,” Chelsea said.

Des frowned. “Does she live out of the country?”

“No. She lives out of state. But she never comes home. It’s a long, complicated story. Molly left home right after high school and hasn’t been back to Hope in years. She . . . doesn’t like it here, for some reason.”

“Oh. Well, that might be difficult, then. But surely she’ll be here for you . . . for your wedding.”

Emma sighed. “I hope so. I’m counting on her.”

“Have you talked to her about it?” Des hated to pry, but she found the idea of her sister not wanting to come home for the wedding so fascinating.

“I have. She says she’ll be here, that nothing would stop her from standing next to me when I marry Luke.”

“She’ll come, Emma,” Jane said. “She promised.”

“I agree,” Chelsea said. “Don’t worry. Molly won’t let you down.”

“I know. I’m not worried. Luke and I flew out to Baton Rouge last month where she’s currently living. She told us both she was on board and excited. We went over wedding plans, and even long distance, she’s been such a big help with all the planning.”

Jane leaned across the stations and grasped Emma’s hand. “But it’s not the same as having your sister here with you while you plan the biggest day of your life, is it?”

Des saw the tears glimmer in Emma’s eyes. “No, it’s not. But as long as she’s here on the day of my wedding, it’ll be the best wedding gift ever.”

“If she loves you like she says she does, if she promised you,” Des said. “Then she’ll be there for you when you need her the most.”