Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(63)

“Because about a dozen people had to take a gander. Let me tell you there’s nothing like having your stomach exposed to the whole world.”

“It could’ve been worse. It could’ve been your butt.”

Leave it to Rachel to look at the bright side.

“Everything is all right, isn’t it?” her friend asked, studying her closely.

“You tell me.” With trembling hands, Teri opened her large purse and took out the photograph the technician had given her. She laid it gingerly on the table, watching Rachel’s face as she did.

Her friend studied the photo. “Teri!” she cried a moment later. “You’re having twins!”

“Look again,” she said, her voice catching.

Rachel stared at the hazy picture and then gasped. Her hand went to her heart. Her eyes widened. She swallowed hard. “Triplets?”

Teri nodded. “Last week the doctor told me he thought he heard two heartbeats, which is why he scheduled the ultrasound.” The shock had yet to fade. Twins she could’ve dealt with—once she got used to the idea—but triplets? Bobby was already a local celebrity and here she was, pregnant with triplets.

“You weren’t using fertility drugs, were you?”

“Good heavens, no.” That was one of the reasons the ultrasound had attracted so much attention. Natural triplets were exceedingly rare.

“This is why you’ve been feeling so drained and tired.”

Since this was her first pregnancy, Teri hadn’t known what to expect. “I’ve been really emotional, too.”

“Well, no wonder.”

“Originally, the doctor said I might’ve been farther along than we assumed. I never keep track of my periods, so I didn’t think anything of it.”

“That extra weight!”

“Yes, I made Dr. Joyce apologize about that. I told him I’d been eating properly and that I didn’t deserve to gain so much weight.”

Rachel grinned. “I can imagine you’re pretty shaken, but Teri, this is wonderful news. You’ve told Bobby, haven’t you?”

That was the problem. “I haven’t said a word and I’m not sure I want to.”

“You can’t keep this from your husband.”

“But maybe I should. He’s worried about me giving birth to one baby and now you want me to casually announce I’m having three? Three babies. Rachel! I’m scared out of my wits.”

Her friend dismissed her concerns a little too easily. “You’re going to be a terrific mother. And don’t worry, Bobby will take it in stride.”

“I was thinking one baby,” Teri moaned, “and now I learn I’m practically going to have my own hockey team.”

“Give yourself a chance to adjust first, and then tell Bobby,” Rachel advised.

Teri was lost in her thoughts. She didn’t have much of a role model when it came to mothering. She’d already read six books on parenting. None of them had truly reassured her. Some of the information conflicted with other information. One theory clashed with the next.

“Three babies,” Rachel said. “You’ll do great—and you can afford to hire help if you need it.”

“A nanny?” That hadn’t occurred to Teri. A nanny could come in part-time and help her feed and bathe the babies.

“Can I see the picture again?” Rachel asked. “I was so surprised when I looked at it that I didn’t notice if they’re boys or girls.”

“One of each and the third’s turned in such a way that it’s impossible to tell,” Teri told her friend. She buried her head in her hands.

“I have news of my own,” Rachel whispered. She checked over her shoulder as if she wanted to make sure no one else could hear.

Teri looked up.

“Bruce and I are getting married.”

“That’s not news. I’ve had Valentine’s Day circled on my calendar for weeks.” It was such a romantic date. Rachel wanted a nice, formal wedding and even though Teri would be almost six months pregnant, Rachel had asked her to serve as matron of honor.

“The reception’s taking place in February,” Rachel confided. “But…are you doing anything December twentieth?” she asked, keeping her head lowered.

Teri stared at her. “You’re getting married early?”

Rachel nodded. “What’s the point of waiting another two months? We both know what we want and the wait’s driving us crazy.”

“Move in with him now,” Teri suggested. “People do it all the time.”

“I know, but there’s Jolene to consider. We’re trying to do everything properly for her sake. But Bruce is getting impatient and frankly, so am I. I’m so much in love with him, I don’t want to wait a minute longer than I have to.”

Teri understood. Her own wedding had been a rushed affair. Bobby had insisted on marrying her rather than just living together. As Bobby had somehow known—and as Teri had discovered—it wasn’t the same. Marriage was a promise. A promise that was often broken, but a promise nonetheless—of enduring love, of enjoying the good and coping with the bad together. A marriage was more than a living arrangement, according to Bobby.

For a girl who’d been around the block more times than the mailman, this told her everything she needed to know about Bobby. The memory of their wedding night brought quick tears to her eyes.