Glee replaced nostalgia as her words sank in. She’d come to me for help. Not our parents or even her friends. “What about Mom and Dad?”
“Nope. They’re going to be surprised, and you’re going to pretend you are too.”
“Absolutely,” I vowed, and a few pesky tears stung my eyes.
“We like Virginia,” she said. “I want something that’s a little old-fashioned without trying too hard. Something less common but beautiful. There are too many Michaels and Kaitlyns. Jeffrey says I’m overthinking and I should pick the name I like best. This is really hard.”
“I think Virginia is perfect. Like Virginia Woolf.” I smiled as a famous line of hers presented itself in my mind.It is a thousand pitiesnever to say what one feels.I planned to start telling my family how much they meant to me as often as it crossed my mind.
“Okay,” Annie said. “She’s not the reason, but yes. Like Virginia Woolf. Thank you. When are you coming home?”
“Now, actually. I’m in my car, at the end of the lane.”
“Good. Come see me. If not today, then tomorrow. Don’t wait until I’m at the hospital. I’ll be freaking out then.”
Jeffrey’s laughter boomed in the background. “You’re freaking out now.”
“Am not!” she yelled. “No, he’s right, I am,” she added softly.
“I’ll be there in an hour,” I promised. “Don’t go into labor without me.”
“Bite your tongue.”
“See you soon!” I buckled up and shifted into drive. “I’ll swing by my apartment and grab a few of your baby pictures to bring over.”
“Great.”
I laughed. “Love you too.” I gave the manor one last look in my rearview mirror, then headed home.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The next few days in Willow Bend were my busiest ever.
I hung a sign in the bookstore window announcingHelp Wanted, right beside a sign announcingIt’s a Girl!The response to both was wonderful. I reviewed applications between phone calls to contractors and local pet-related companies. I’d even contacted a real estate agent, because my new rescue dog, aptly named Emily, would appreciate a little more room to run and stretch her legs on the regular. The moment I’d looked into her eyes, it was love at first sight. When I read the name on her kennel, I knew she was destined for me.
Cecily zipped through the door, sending the bell overhead into a frenzy. She wore her usual scrubs and toted two steamy lattes. “I did it! Applications opened forRelatable Romance: Regency Era, and I applied to be a liaison!”
I met her with a hug, then took my latte. “You’re going to kill it.”
“I know!” She sipped her drink in pure delight. “I just have to brush up on local history facts during the era and be ready to talk about nuances of dress, speech, and culture here at that time.”
“No problem,” I said, unable to hide my indulgent smile.
“I love this stuff!”
A familiar hatchback pulled against the curb outside, interrupting our chat. I blinked to confirm I wasn’t imagining it.
“What?” Cecily turned to follow my line of sight. “Who’s that?”
“The flower delivery person from Amherst,” I said, jaw falling open as the young woman got out. She collected a massive vase of honeysuckle and daisies from the back, then marched to the bookshop door, barely able to see around the blooms.
“Goodness!” Cecily gasped, hurrying to help her inside.
“Emma Rini?” she asked, craning her neck until she spotted me. “Delivery.” She had a huge smile as she set them on the counter. “One more thing.” She pulled an envelope from her hoodie pocket and passed it to me. “Have a great day,” she said, then turned on her toes and walked away.
My eyes trailed to Cecily’s.
“Apology flowers,” she said. “Like the others?”
