“True that,” June agreed with a shudder. “I wasn’t even sitting with her, and she ruined my lunch at the diner last week by describing the size and texture of her ailment.”
“Lord, have mercy,” Jennifer said, fanning herself and topping off her wine. She sat back and cuddled with her man. “So, I take it that you didn’t issue a permit.”
“That would be correct. Anyhoo, how’s the baby?” Dip inquired of Gideon and me. “She sure is a cutie pie. Bet she’s gettin’ big now.”
“What bab…” Gideon began and was cut off when I jammed the heel of my boot into his instep. I covered his grunt of pain by talking a mile a minute.
“She’s great! So great. So, so, so great! Just great. So big now you wouldn’t believe it! Big like… really big!” I told Dip. Gideon shot me a grateful glance. I raised a brow. It would have been incredibly awkward if the father of my baby asked, “What baby?”
“Can I see her?” Dip asked, looking a little confused by my diarrhea of the mouth diatribe. “I gotta say, I just love the way babies smell.”
“She sleeping,” I said at the same time Gideon said, “She staying the night with Heather.”
“And umm… she’s sleeping,” I added lamely.
“Alrighty then,” Dip said, shooting Jennifer awhat the heck is wrong with themlook. “Seems like you’ve hired some security out here. Any problems that I need to know about? I could send a cruiser out daily if need be.”
“No,” Gideon lied through his teeth. “We’re doing just fine. I’ve invested in a new company that does home security, and the training is happening on our property.”
“Interesting,” Dip said, nodding his approval. “The gals and guys at the gate looked like ex-military to me.”
“Very astute,” Gideon told him.
My husband’s reply was vague enough to not be a lie and Dip Doody was quite pleased with himself that he’d guessed it right… or right enough.
We all sat in slightly uncomfortable silence for a bit until Tim broke it. “Shall we play a game?”
“I’m game,” Dip said with a chuckle at his pun. “My Jenn loves games. I’ve been brushin’ up so I can beat her one of these days. But she’s so dang good at everything she does, I don’t know if I can even come close.”
Jennifer positively swooned. Tim nodded in fatherly approval.
“Ohhhhhh, that was lovely,” Tim said, smiling at Dip. “What a wonderful man you are. Jennifer hit the jackpot with you! I heartily approve.”
“I try,” he said, blushing.
Jennifer leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You don’t even have to try, and you’re still something mighty special, Dip Doody.”
I closed my eyes for a hot sec and sent a plea into the Universe. Please, let Jennifer and Dip stay together. I knew she was about to embark on an adventure like no other, but love could ground a person and keep them from dying inside.
“I say we play the terrible city game,” Tim announced. “Winner gets to take home the hors d’oeuvres!”
“Or we could play for cookies,” I suggested quickly. “Cause, you know, I think Heather is bringing Alana Catherine back later this evening, and she might be hungry.”
“Ahhhhhhhhhh,” Tim said, giving me a thumbs up. “I see where you’re going.”
“Wait,” Dip said, squinting at me. “Why would Heather wake up a baby in the middle of the night? Isn’t it better to let them sleep?”
“Normally, yes,” Gideon said, trying to sound like he knew what he was talking about. Since he was obviously pulling stuff out of his ass, I silently wished him luck. “But the latest sleep training method suggests waking the baby up every few hours for fresh air.”
Charlie winced and pressed the bridge of his nose. I stared at my knees. Poor Dip must think that we’re brain-damaged or just seriously shitty parents.
“Huh,” he said with a shrug. “That’s a new one.”
“Very,” Gideon confirmed.
“Game time,” June said, bouncing in her chair and changing the subject before Gideon dug a hole that would make Dip feel like he should alert child welfare services on us. “I’m usually so bad at these games, but I can compete tonight!”
Charlie looked at his wife and smiled. The love he had for her was so obvious. In fact, everyone sitting here except for Tim was with their soulmate. I stole a quick glance at my buddy and realized it didn’t bother him at all. He was more of an asexual kind of guy—his words, not mine. He took pleasure in his deep friendships. And as far as friends went, he was the best. It was sad Jennifer couldn’t tell Dip that Tim was her father. The age difference didn’t add up. Tim looked to be in his early forties—far younger than Jennifer even though he was older than dirt. It wouldn’t make a lick of sense that Tim had fathered her.
