Three Can Keep a Secret by Judy Clemens

taken at the birthday party Ma had thrown for me, and Howie and I were sitting side by side at a picnic table, grinning like fools. Howie had barbecue sauce on his chin, and I was holding a spoonful of what looked like potato salad. Happy as can be.
    I sat back in my chair and looked up at Abe, who was smiling in a concerned kind of way.
    “Where did you get these?” I asked. “The first two look like ones I saw in Howie’s box.” I kept my eyes from moving to the box itself, which sat at my elbow.
    “That’s where I got them. I sneaked back here yesterday while you were gone and got them blown up this morning. Here are the originals. The last one Zach took at your birthday party.”
    He tossed an envelope onto the desk, and I stared at him. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “I hoped you wouldn’t mind. I always wondered why you didn’t have some pictures of your folks around and decided it was time.” He squinted at me shyly. “Do you like them?”
    I stood up slowly and put my arms around his neck. He looked me in the eyes, almost fearful, until I leaned forward and kissed him. He stood still for a moment, then slid his hands around my waist. I reached up into his hair and was pulling myself closer to him when I heard the door open.
    “Oh, geez, I’m sorry.” Lucy slammed the door behind her.
    “Wait, Lucy!” I pulled myself from Abe’s arms and ran into the hallway.
    Lucy stood outside the door, mortified. “I am. So. Sorry.”
    “It’s okay. Really.”
    Abe stuck his head out the office door. “Geez, Lucy. Your timing really sucks.”
    I burst out laughing, and a small smile finally made its way to Lucy’s face. Abe grinned at her, then ducked back into the office.
    “You need something?” I asked.
    “Just wanted to apologize about my in-laws and the trouble they caused today. They’re good at that.”
    “Hey, I’m just glad they’re not mine.”
    “Yeah, you should be.” She looked like she was going to say something else, but turned, instead, and headed toward the parlor.
    When I got back in the office Abe was already sitting behind the desk, had booted up the computer, and was looking through a manila folder, avoiding my eyes. I was glad he wasn’t standing there waiting for more kissing, because I was embarrassed I’d done it at all.
    “There was something you wanted to ask me, right?” he said.
    “Um, yeah. I wanted to make sure we got Lucy’s paycheck and benefits started. You on top of that?”
    “On my list to do today.”
    “Wonderful. Need me to do anything?”
    He looked at me strangely, and heat swept through my body. I cleared my throat. “I’d better get to the parlor. It’s only Lucy’s third day and already I’m leaving her to the milking alone.”
    “Stella,” Abe said as I opened the door. I looked back. “Any chance we could continue our earlier conversation sometime in the near future?”
    I gave him what felt like a very shaky grin, and shut the door.

Chapter Sixteen
    Lucy and I were forking the last shredded newspaper into clean stalls when a Harley rumbled up the lane. I could tell from the timbre of the roar that it was Lenny’s bike.
    “Uh oh,” I said.
    Lucy straightened abruptly. “What?”
    I waved my hand. “Oh, nothing. It’s just Lenny, and he was in a hell of a mood when I saw him today.”
    Abe had already gone to supper, taking Zach away with him, so Lucy, Tess, and I were the only ones around. I leaned in the doorway of the barn and stared at Lenny. He stared back.
    “Hey, Len,” I said.
    He looked out at the field behind my house, then back at me. “Sorry.”
    I walked toward him and he swung his leg over his two-toned green Wide Glide. When I got close, he offered the meaty part of his arm and I gave it a light punch.
    He rubbed his shoulder. “Are we even?”
    I grinned. “Sure.”
    “Kind of you. And I haven’t even told you what I found for you today.”
    “What?”
    “How ’bout a new fork for a little birdie’s