Conversations slowed as I came through the gate. A few people smiled at me uncertainly. Mrs. Patterson raised her eyebrows.
Irvin saw me first. He had to look down at his drink to hide his smile.
Vanessa didn’t bother hiding anything. Her face went tight.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I brought the hostess a gift,” I said warmly, and I set the box down on the patio table right in front of her. “Go ahead. Open it.”
By then, half the yard was watching. The music suddenly seemed very loud.
Vanessa hesitated. She glanced around at all the faces turned toward her. She didn’t have much choice.
She untied the bow and lifted the lid.
Inside, neatly arranged, was a hammer. A full screwdriver set. Batteries in three different sizes. A pack of lightbulbs. A rubber jar opener. A small step stool, folded flat. A beginner’s guide to home repair with a bookmark in the chapter on cabinet hinges. And on top of it all, a printed list of four local handymen, with their phone numbers, ratings, and hourly rates.
