Standing in the doorway leading between the two rooms, Summer and Betsy glanced around the somewhat organized spaces, then high-fived each other. There might still be stains on the floor and holes in the walls, but those were nothing but a minor inconvenience. Thankfully, someone had come in Sunday evening and covered the broken windows in plywood.
New windows would be one of the first things on her list for installation. She hated not being able to see outside. Sunshine always made her feel better…even when it barely glowed from behind clouds.
Marcy grabbed a piece of ice from the fridge and wrapped it in a paper towel. She rubbed it across her forehead, then sat down on the leather sofa in the conference room and held the ice against the small of her neck. Then suddenly she jumped up and ran into the private bathroom and locked the door.
Betsy raised her eyebrows at Summer and shrugged. Less than a minute later, Marcy opened the door and took one step out, looking like a pale waif in some stage play.
“You want to tell us what’s going on?” Betsy asked.
Summer looked to the floor and raised her hand. “Do I get a star if I guess right?”
Marcy rubbed the cold paper towel across her face once again, then rapidly headed back to the bathroom. Betsy followed close behind while Summer held the door tight as Marcy grabbed the handle, trying to shut them out once again.
“Nope. Not this time,” Summer said.
“Oooooooh! You two are going to be…” Marcy huffed an exasperated sigh, then leaned over the toilet.
Betsy doused a fresh paper towel in cold water and held it to the back of Marcy’s neck. All of them had basically eaten the same thing for breakfast, but she and Summer weren’t sick. That meant…
“What’s going on, sister of mine?” Betsy asked in a teasingly insinuating tone as she brushed her sister’s hair back.
“My guess is that our sister is pregnant.” Summer winked as she handed Betsy another cold paper towel to use. “My assistant was just like this for the first month.”
Marcy lifted her head, then stood and washed her face, tossing in a few handfuls of cold water to gargle with. Finally, she sighed softly and smiled as if she felt better. “Now, give the woman a star. Yes! I’m pregnant.”
“Yay!” Summer grinned as she looped her arm over Betsy’s shoulder. “We’re going to be aunts.”
“The best aunts ever.” Betsy pulled Marcy into their group hug. “I’m going to teach her?—”
“Or him,” Summer interjected.
“—everything there is to know about fishing and worms and crickets. Then we’ll talk about shiny cars and shooting pool.”
She caught a glimpse of them in the vanity mirror. They were sisters. Sisters to the core. Sisters forever. The warmth of family and belonging eased into her mind. She was happy. Truly happy. And from the glow in Marcy’s expression, she was ecstatic at the prospect of being a mother.
“Does Mama know?” Betsy asked.
“No. JB and I only found out for sure the day before we left for our New York trip.” Marcy grabbed her purse. “We planned to tell all of you at once in the middle of Times Square.”
Summer smiled. “That would have been a great memory to have.”
“Sorry about messing that up, but”—Betsy held out her arms and pulled her sisters in for one more hug before releasing her hold—“I think our finding out in the middle of the dealership bathroom will make quite a story for the future, too.”
“Especially since I won a star for guessing right.” Summer winked and pointed at Marcy picking up her purse. “Going someplace?”
“Yes. If Betsy will let me take her SUV, I’m going to Pete’s Soda Fountain and Deli to grab us three large root beers to celebrate.”
“And a double large order of French fries, with lots of ketchup packets.”
After agreement all around, Marcy slipped on her coat, hat and gloves, then headed to the door at the end of the short hallway just outside the office.
Holding the door open, Betsy gave her sister a quick hug. “I am really happy for you and JB.”
“We are, too.” Marcy hugged her in return, holding on for a few second longer. “I hope you find what I’ve found. Do you think Cain will stay in town?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I hope so, but I’m always realistic. Guess only time will tell.” Betsy shrugged as she stepped back. She was even less certain after the way he’d left earlier today.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
