Angel's Rest(106)

She enrolled in classes her doctor recommended for her. She joined a Mothers of Multiples group, wandered the aisles of Babies “R” Us, and spent a good portion of every day off her feet as directed. Most of all, she tried not to think about Gabe Callahan. Doing so invariably raised her blood pressure, and that wasn’t good for the babies.

She also entertained visitors. Her friends gave her the solitude she requested—up to a point. At least one of them called her every day to check on her and update her about summer events in Eternity Springs. The most welcome news was the return of normal summer sunshine. The town had dried out, the tourists had returned, and the season was in full swing. The June art festival had been a rousing success. The summer solstice 5K run went off without a hitch, and the theater group performed the new play based on the Lost Angel murder mystery to record crowds and Celeste’s disdain. Dear friends that they were, they never said a word about Gabe.

Nor did they settle for just phone calls. Ali welcomed Nic into her world and included her at weekend barbecues and on shopping trips as she and her daughter prepared for her senior year of high school. Sarah visited Nic her second week in town, Celeste the third. Even her mother and aunt flew in from Florida to visit, and they only agreed to return home when Nic promised to call at the first sign of labor. When her doorbell rang the first week of August, Nic figured the rotation was back around to Sage. Instead, she opened the door to find Lori, Chase Timberlake, and Tiger on her doorstep. Nic smiled with delight. “What a great surprise. What are you two doing in Denver? I talked to Celeste a little while ago, but she didn’t mention you were in town.”

Shocked, their wide-eyed gazes locked on her belly, they failed to answer her question. “Whoa, Dr. Nic,” Lori said. “You look like you’re about to pop.”

“Or explode,” Chase said.

“Gee, thanks, you two,” Nic said as she looked up from greeting Tiger, who was circling her and barking with joy. She stepped back to let them in. “I’m so glad you came all this way to tell me I look fat.”

“Not fat,” Chase hastened to say. Unlike Lori, he didn’t know Nic well enough to be aware that she was teasing. “You look gorgeous as always. Just, well, bigger. We’re here because I need to visit my folks and Lori wanted to see you.”

“You look like you’re trying to sneak a beach ball into a rock concert, only you didn’t get the memo to bring the inflatable kind,” Lori said, her lips twitching. “A really big beach ball.”

“Brat.” Nic pulled Lori into her arms for a hug, then gave one to Chase for good measure. Stepping away, she rested her hands on the small of her back. “I am much more sympathetic now to animals who deliver litters. Carrying two is challenge enough. Can you imagine having five?”

Lori shuddered. “I can’t imagine having one. I think when I decide to have kids, I’ll adopt.”

Nic laughed as she cleared the quilt square she’d been working on for the Patchwork Angels Quilting Bee’s second project from the couch, then gestured for her visitors to have a seat. “Make yourselves at home.”

“If it’s okay with you, Dr. Callahan, we thought Lori could visit while I go do my errand at home. I can pick her up in about an hour?”

“That’s fine.”

After Chase departed, Nic sent Lori to the kitchen to pour glasses of lemonade for the two of them, then lowered herself into her chair, propped her feet up on the ottoman, and took note of the time. She needed to stay off her feet for at least half an hour.

Lori returned to the living room a few moments later, handed Nic her drink, then took a seat on the sofa. Nic studied the young woman. Ah, she knew that look. This was obviously not a simple pleasure trip. How many times had she played the role of arbitrator between mother and daughter? Ah, sweetheart, growing up is hard, isn’t it? “So, child of my heart, what is wrong? Are you having boy trouble with Chase?”

“No. He’s a good guy. I’m a little sad that he’ll be leaving Eternity soon. He’s been the best summer romance.”

“Nothing more?”

The girl shrugged. “We’re too young.”

Nic nodded. “How’s your mom doing?”

“Okay. She’s still weird about me being a senior this year, but the summer has been so busy that she’s not acting as crazy as she did there for a little while. She’s not the person I’m worried about now, though. Nic, you have to do something about Gabe.”