“Ben said she has my nose and chin, but I have no idea why he thinks that.”
Paris stood beside her two best friends and studied the images. She smiled when she realized what the baby was doing. “Is she sucking her thumb?”
“She is,” Kylie placed her hand on her baby bump. “I can’t wait to meet her. She was jumping around like a jellybean during the scan.”
“She can’t sit still, just like her mom,” Jackie said with a grin. “You have a beautiful baby girl.”
“And two friends who are happy to babysit whenever you need a break,” Paris added. “Don’t worry about the events we’ve booked. We’ll find a way to get through the next few months.”
“I hope so.” Kylie looked sadly at Paris and Jackie. “I didn’t think I’d have to cut back my hours.”
“It’s only for a little while.” Paris gave Kylie another hug. “We’re a team. We’ll make it work.”
As they admired the pictures of Kylie and Ben’s baby, Paris knew everything would be okay. Kylie had worked hard to build Blooming Lovely into a successful business. Their clients would understand if they had to find another florist to make their bouquets and flower arrangements—especially when a new baby was involved.
Richard parked his truck outside The Welcome Center and rubbed his right leg. After a long day at work, he was glad to almost be home.
Looking across the parking lot, he smiled at the ocean-themed mural he’d created with his son. Before they’d joined the painting project, a row of uninspiring concrete garages separated The Welcome Center from the tiny home village. Working with the village’s residents, they’d brought color and life to this side of the property.
The sense of belonging the project gave him was a stark contrast to how he’d felt when he arrived in Sapphire Bay. Emotionally and physically broken after his time in the army, he’d traveled here with his son, four suitcases, and a life that was the complete opposite of everything he’d imagined.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Dawkins.”
Richard sighed. Only one person called him Mr. Dawkins, and he tried to stay away from her. Not that he’d had much luck. Sapphire Bay was so small that it was impossible to hide from anyone.
His eyebrows rose when he saw what Paris was wearing. “Let me guess. You’re going for a 1950s rockabilly look.”
Placing her hands on her pink polka dot skirt, she twisted left and then right. The petticoats under the skirt swished back and forth. “You’re getting better. I thought about wearing my Marilyn Munroe dress, but Jackie thought it might be too much.”
After seeing some of the outfits she wore, he’d probably agree with Jackie. Paris was like a chameleon, wearing clothes that were as over-the-top as her personality. “Why did you want to dress like Marilyn Munroe?”
“I’m looking after Natalie’s art class. We’re studying pop culture.”
He must have spent too much time around her because he knew exactly what she meant. “And Andy Warhol created a famous painting of Marilyn Munroe.”
“Exactly. Are you visiting The Welcome Center or going to the tiny home village?”
“The Welcome Center. Jack’s writing class has nearly finished.”
Paris lifted the strap of her pink handbag onto her shoulder. “I’ll walk with you.”
He wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Whenever he saw her, one of them usually said something that offended the other. They were better staying apart and saying as little to each other as possible.
“Is Jack enjoying the after-school writing class?”
Richard nodded. At least discussing his son was a safe, neutral topic. “He is. Katie’s a great tutor.”
“Have you read her latest children’s book? It’s amazing.”
“I’m reading it to Jack at the moment. Why are you tutoring the students in Natalie’s art class?”
“She had to fly to Washington, D.C. to open her next exhibition.”
“Teaching her class is a lot different from working in the flower shop.”
Paris frowned. “You don’t think I can do it?”
He could have kicked himself. “I didn’t say that.”
