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“For all our sakes,” she amended

“Areed soberly She paused to sweep bits of scattered grass to the wind “Don’t you fret none, Miz Marietta All will be well I feel it in irls here at Sea Breeze again”

“Hi, Ma through the tomen’s conversation

“Here co to her basket

Marietta turned her head and s toward the outfits that looked to Marietta like a second skin Her red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and sweat poured down her pink face

“Harper!” Marietta called out with a quick wave “My goodness, child, you’re running at this tih to run here under a midsummer sun You’ll have a heat stroke! Why, your face is as red as a beet!”

Harper stopped at the bottom of the porch steps and bent over, hands on her hips, to catch her breath “Oh, Ma the sweat from her broith her forearm “I do this every day”

“Well, you look about ready to keel over”

“It is hot out there today,” Harper conceded with half a sot a ton of sunscreen on”

Lucille clucked her tongue “Mind you drink some water, hear?”

“Why don’t you jump in the pool and cool yourself down so suit” Ma her face as she spoke It made her hot just to see Harper’s pink face and the sweat drenching her clothing

“Good idea,” Harper replied, and with a quick wave took off toward the front door She turned her head and shouted, “Nice basket, Lucille!” before disappearing into the house

Lucille chuckled and returned to her weaving “Only the young can run like that”