“Right. She called me yesterday. Asked if she could drop by and talk something over with me. I was afraid she was going to try to sell me something, to tell the truth, but I let her come over anyway. Chalk it up to January boredom."

“So what did she sell you?"

“Nothing. She said she'd been really impressed with my party. How well-planned and pleasant it was and how I managed to carry it off during a busy season without looking frazzled."

“She didn't say that. You're just bragging," Shelley said, flipping through a magazine andmaking a moue of distaste over a particularly ugly gown.

“She did, too. Word for word. Cross my heart. Then she told me that she's getting married in April and wants me to help her plan the wedding.”

Shelley glanced up. "You? Plan a wedding? What do you know about weddings?"

“I had one of my own once, you know. That's how I ended up with three kids."

“But you didn't even plan that one, I'll bet. The wedding, not the kids. Your mother did. Right?”

“Yes, but I was there," Jane said.

“Jane, a wedding is a huge headache. Why would you help with one for a perfect stranger?"

“Money," Jane said. "And to see if I can."

“She's paying you?"

“Lots," Jane said, rubbing her hands together.

“You don't need money," Shelley persisted.

“I don't desperately need money, but it can't hurt. Another mysterious piece of machinery fell out of the bottom of my station wagon yesterday. I'm going to have to replace it soon.

“I really can't believe you're seriously considering it."

“I am. The week after New Year's kind of got to me," Jane admitted.

“How so?"

“After two weeks of being exhaustingly busy, I took down the decorations, the kids went back to school, and after sleeping it all off, I was so bored that I actually contemplated cleaning the basement."