“Katie?Are you okay?”
She blinked, blinked again.“I’m fine.You know, I wasn’t hungry until I walked in this place and smelled Mimi’s cooking.When has anyone ever been able to refuse that woman’s cooking?”
His lips pulled into a slow smile.“Exactly.I’m glad I’m staying at Max and Grace’s.Imagine if I’d decided on the Heart Sent?Mimi would’ve added ten pounds on me by now.”A laugh as he patted his flat belly.“All in the wrong places.”
“I know the feeling.”She’d already gained a few pounds, and while some of those pounds had to do with the baby, others were because of excuses to eat ice cream whenever–
“You look perfect.And you can’t really tell you’ve gained any weight.”His face flushed, and he stumbled over an apology.“I…I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have said that.”
Ian Finnegan in an uncomfortable position?Interesting and touching.“How much do you know about pregnancy and whatnot?”
The flush downshifted to paste.“Not much.”He rubbed the back of his neck, corrected himself.“Nothing.”A clearing of his throat, more stumbling.“But I have read three books, and I’m on my fourth.Of course, they’re only books.I did watch a few videos but when it got to the childbirth part?”He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose.“I’m sorry but I had to stop.It was a little too…”
“Graphic?”
A quick nod, a mumbled, “Right.”
Katie moved toward him, placed both hands on her belly.“You can’t start at the end.It’s a slow process.Even the strongest men don’t always do well.”She lowered her voice, realized she liked the vulnerable side of him.“When Ben and Gina Reed were having their first child, he passed out.”A chuckle as she recalled hearing about the incident.“He said it was from low blood sugar because he hadn’t eaten, but everybody knew that wasn’t the reason.Gina knew it too, but she never said a word.It’s okay because labor can be a long process, from what I hear.It’s a very emotional time.But please don’t tease him or mention it because he wouldn’t like that.”
Ian stared as if trying to process what she’d just told him.“Ben’s not the kind of guy you tease unless you know him really well, and even then, I think Cash Casherdon is the only one who might be able to pull it off.”
“Yes, Cash could do it, but he wouldn’t like the repercussions because Ben would throw it right back at him, and if he didn’t, Nate Desantro would.”
He’d been about to comment when Mimi entered carrying two plates, heaped with salad.“I hope you’re both hungry.The pasta is almost finished, and the Chicken Picata is extra tender tonight.”She placed the salad in front of them.“The snow’s not expected to stop until morning, and that’s going to leave us with a big mess.”
“I’m happy to snow blow or shovel, just let me know how I can help.”
Mimi’s face lit up.“Thank you, Ian.That’s very kind of you.Jack or Nate usually plow me out, but they might be needed elsewhere for a good part of tomorrow.I’d be grateful for the help.”She pointed in the direction of the garage.“The snowblower’s ready to go, no shoveling required.We’ll talk about it in the morning.”
“Whatever you need, Mimi.”
“Will do.I’ll be back soon with the rest of the meal.”
Katie waited until Mimi disappeared into the kitchen to ask, “You know how to operate a snowblower?”
“You’re asking that question to a guy who tears apart and rebuilds engines for a living?Makes them faster, better, supercharged?”He continued to expound on his expertise.“I could have that thing torn apart and put back together before you count to fifty.”
Katie hid a smile.“I’m sure you could name every part of the snowblower’s engine, probably a lawn mower and rototiller, too, but that’s not my question.What I want to know is, can youoperateone?You know, blow the snow, cut the grass, till the soil.”The jaw twitching gave her the answer she suspected, but she couldn’t quite let up.Not yet.“So?”They looked at each other and burst out laughing.Big, deep, belly laughs that brought tears to their eyes.
Ian grinned.“I didn’t do a very good job selling it, did I?”
“The jaw twitching and the emphasis on your engineering capabilities gave you away.”She picked up her fork, stabbed a hunk of lettuce.“Plus, how many snowblowers are in Los Angeles?”
“Good point.”
She should not torment him, but the mood had turned light and she wanted it to continue.“Besides, I’ll bet the only snow you’ve ever seen is on a ski slope.”
Those blue eyes shifted to silver.“Busted.However, it appears I’ll need to learn how to operate one of those machines.Will you give me a lesson?”
Oh, she enjoyed the lighter side of this evening.Relaxed, enjoyable, fun.She wished it could continue so she didn’t have to think about tonight or tomorrow, or…
“Ian?Katie?I’m sorry to bother you, but…” Mimi stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face.
Ian jumped up from his chair, rushed to her.“What’s wrong?”
Katie slid back her chair, stood.“Mimi?”
She bit her bottom lip.“It’s Dolly.She’s… she’s…”
