“The new carpet looks great,” she commented. “A huge improvement over the old.”
“Tell me about it.” Trixie chuckled. “I love Elijah and would live with him anywhere, but that orange shag carpet had to go.”
“Are you still planning on getting new furniture?” Personally, Phoebe loved the sofa. It wasn’t pretty, but goodness was it comfortable.
“Not yet.” Gesturing toward the walls, Trixie lowered herself onto the other end of the sofa. “Now that we brightened up the walls and added new carpet, the sofas aren’t so bad. They're functional, and since we’re trying to save money, we decided new ones can wait.”
“Smart idea.” She breathed in the floral scent of jasmine. “It’s nice having sister time. Too bad Jessa had to work today.”
“We need to make a point to add it to our schedules.” Trixie sipped her tea. “I’m so busy now, but every day I remind myself how blessed I am. My life has changed completely in the last two years, but I wouldn’t trade any of it.”
“I’m proud of you. You’re an amazing sister, daughter, wife, and mom.” Phoebe watched Alice run into the room and straight toward her.
Lively brown eyes implored her. “Aun Feeb. I sit in lap?”
“Sure, honeybun.” She set her cup on the end table and lifted Alice onto her lap.
“Take the snuggles while you can.” Trixie frowned. “She rarely sits still anymore, always running from one toy to the next. My only guaranteed cuddles are at bedtime.”
“You know how to fix that?”
Trixie lifted a warning brow. “Don’t even think it. Elijah and I have only been married three months, and Alice isn’t two yet. Let’s not rush another child.”
She sighed then winked. “I suppose I’ll have to bug Jessa then.”
“If my suspicions are right, you won’t have to for long.” Leaning forward, Trixie looked at her with a grin.
“You noticed it last Sunday, too?” She couldn’t contain her smile.
“Jessa’s never gotten up and left in the middle of a church service. Not even as a child. She’s the one Mom and Dad never had to fuss.”
“And you saw the way she cradled her stomach when she came back?”
The synchronized squeal startled Alice. She gave her mom and aunt a confused look before sliding off the sofa and running to her room.
Settling back, Trixie reached for the cup and sipped the tea. “When do you think she’ll tell us?”
“Soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if the announcement comes at lunch tomorrow.”
“That’s right. I need to remind Elijah we’re having a family dinner so he doesn’t accept any invitations.”
Phoebe laughed. “The life of a pastor’s wife, huh?”
A wry grin spread Trixie’s lips into thin lines. “It’s an adjustment and not a role I’d ever imagined filling. There’s a learning curve, but Elijah and the church are incredibly supportive.”
“That’s great.” For a brief moment, sadness clouded Phoebe. She couldn’t be happier for her sisters, but their blessings in love inadvertently called attention to her lack of it. With no prospects in sight, would she ever find her happy ending?
As though Trixie could read her mind, she shook a finger. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re thinking about Mac again.”
“Not directly.” It wasn’t a lie—she’d been thinking in generic terms without names.
“Are you ready to hear my thoughts?”
She shook her head. “No, but tell me anyway.”
“I have several. First, you need to tell Mac how you feel. It’s not fair to either of you to harbor these feelings and then get mad when another girl shows interest.”
“I didn’t get mad.” She bristled, and her defenses rose.
