“Theodora.”

Theo turned to look at Patty. She been happy to see her in something other than sweatpants when she arrived at the party. Her strawberry blonde hair had been freshly washed and looked as wild and free as it had before the accident, and she’d allowed someone to swipe some mascara on her lashes.

Now she couldn’t help but notice how tired her sister looked. Her face was a bit pale, making the freckles stand out on the tops of her cheeks and across her nose.

“How are you doing?” she asked, excusing herself and slipping into the chair closest to Cleopatra.

“I’m exhausted,” she said, “but I’m even thirstier than I am tired.”

“I can fix that. What would you like?”

“A couple shots of whiskey.”

Theo smiled. “Try again.”

“Diet Coke.”

“That I can do.”

When Theo returned five minutes later with Patty’s beverage, Mamie had returned to the table. Instead of the red sweater she’d shown up in, she wore a blue T-shirt with the slogan Colorful Colorado emblazoned in white across the front.

“Sixty-eight degrees my foot,” she groused. Theo unwrapped a straw and put it in the glass she set on the table in front of Patty.

“You got that in the gift shop, didn’t you?”

“Yes. You might think about ordering some bigger sizes,” Mamie told her.

“I’ll get right on that. It’ll be the first executive decision I make upon my return. Bigger T-shirt sizes.”

Theo looked up to see Delaney making a beeline for their table. Jordan wasn’t far behind her.

“What’s up?” she asked her friend.

“I got another call.” She grabbed a glass off the table and took a drink from it. Theo felt her stomach fall to her knees.

“Please don’t tell me there’s another body.”

Delaney shook her head. “Um, well, not …” She pushed several of her braids behind her shoulder. “Ashley’s fine,” she finally said. “I’ve gotta go.” She looked at Patty while she pushed her cell phone back into her purse. “Welcome home, Cleopatra,” she said. “It’s really good to see you back in the hotel.” The sentiment was heartfelt, but Theo could tell that Delaney was distracted. Patty responded with a wave and continued to suck at her straw. Delaney turned and hurried out of the room.

“Something isn’t right with her,” Theo said as Jordan slid into the chair next to her.

“What are you playing at?” Mamie asked, causing both Theo and Jordan to look in her direction.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s her dad,” Mamie said as if Theo was stupid.

“What about her dad?”

“Do you honestly think that Delaney has to go to Denver twice a week for work? She’s the Cloud County coroner for Christ sakes. Her dad is in a home down there. Has been for years. You mean to tell me you never wondered why a woman who makes the kind of money she does can’t seem to find two nickels to rub together?” She shook her head. “Her dad is dying. I thought she would have at least told the two of you that, but I guess not.” She pushed her chair away from the table and stood up. “Now I’ve got to go see someone about this damn heat.”

14. FIVE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

December was only half over, but so much had happened, Theo was sure the month had been longer than just the two weeks the calendar indicated.

As promised, packages arrived daily on Theo’s doorstep. On some days, there were four or five of them, and Theo would wait until Indigo was asleep each night before she wrapped them and put “from Mama” on all the tags. There were clothes and shoes, underwear and socks, puzzles, board games and a twenty-two-inch doll with a soft, huggable body and a face that made Theo study her in awe. She wore a white dress with pink roses embroidered on it and a pink sweater with matching booties. She was a Reborn doll, made to look lifelike. Theo was both freaked out and impressed by the toy in equal amounts.

There was another delivery that arrived at the barn. Indigo’s new bedroom set came in an assortment of large boxes. These, Theo didn’t attempt to hide. Jordan brought each box inside and took it down to the basement. The three of them had come up with a plan for Indigo’s new bedroom. Once the holidays were over, they would take all of Indigo’s old furniture out of her room. They would scrub and then repaint her walls before assembling the new bunk bed, dresser and bookshelves. Before that happened, though, Theo promised to take Indigo to Hollis Hardware where she could look at the rows and rows of paint samples.

On Wednesday, Theo and Indigo went to the farm for their lunch with Mister Henry.

“I hear that a little girl I know is getting a brand-new bedroom.”

Indigo’s smile was wide. “It’s gonna be purple.”

“Purple?” the seventy-five-year-old man exclaimed. “My goodness, I seem to be seeing that color a lot lately.”

“You must be talking about Bex,” Theo commented.

“Indeed,” Mister Henry confirmed. “The girl is nice enough, but I have to say, she’s a bit nosy for my taste.”

Jordan laughed, then quickly covered his mouth. “That was rude,” he said. “I apologize.”

“We noticed that, too, Mister Henry,” Theo told him.

Indigo picked up a chicken nugget. She swiped it in honey mustard sauce and studied it. “I like her hair.” She took a bite out of the nugget and watched Mister Henry as she chewed.

“Well, I don’t know how I feel about it, exactly. I do think she’s creative. I’ll give her that.”

“Do you want your pickles?” Indigo asked him, eyeing the Styrofoam container that held the man’s club sandwich. He’d specifically ordered two dill spears because he knew one of his lunch companions had a fondness for pickles.

“You’re slippin’, young lady,” Mister Henry teased. “I was sure you were gonna ask for those a long time ago. Come on and get ‘em.”

Indigo picked up one spear in one hand, the second spear in the other. “Thank you, Mister Henry.”

“Don’t mention it. Oh, and Odette wanted me to let you know she’d like to see you when we’ve finished our lunch. Something about a Christmas present I think. It might have to do with your new bedroom. I have a feeling whatever it is, it will be purple.”

Indigo’s eyes went wide, and she looked over at Jordan who smiled at her.

“What in the world do you think it could be?” he asked.

Indigo thought about it. “It’s not the bed,” she said out loud. “It’s not the drawers or the bookshelves.”

Theo knew when Indigo said drawers she meant dresser. “Maybe something to go on your bed?” she prompted.

“A comforter!” Indigo said, jumping up and down.