Page 85 of An Adventure For Aster

“It’s not a bother,” Ivy said. “Come on.”

He followed her up the stairs with his sister, and before they got to the conference room, had to sidetrack to Dahlia who struggled to get out of her chair.

“Wow,” he said. “You look very uncomfortable.”

“I am,” Dahlia said. “Any day now and don’t be sexist and tell me I should be home. If one more man says that to me I’m going to let them know how I feel.”

He held his hands up in surrender. “You’re Hugh’s problem.”

Ivy giggled. “I love it, Aster. You tell her. But Hugh is giving into everything Dahlia wants...kind of. She’s getting more of a lecture from me and doesn’t like it.”

“No,” Dahlia said, then turned to his sister. “You must be Daphne. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Daphne said, moving forward to shake hands. “Please sit.”

“I will,” Dahlia said, flopping back down.

He cringed and backed out fast, fearful that move might make the baby pop out, then introduced Sage to his sister and found himself sticking his head in the conference room.

“Aster,” Poppy said. “Just the person we were talking about. Do you have your sister with you?”

He frowned. “I do,” he said.

“Come in,” Rose said.

Poppy wasn’t as big as Dahlia, but she was due in a little over a month. Rose was starting to show more too.

“I told Poppy there is a magic baby-making flower everyone is sniffing,” he said, “but she didn’t believe me.”

Lily grinned. “Do you know how much money we could make if that were true? Think of the marketing for it.”

“Aster, you could be onto something,” Poppy said. “I’m going to have Heather look into any herbs.”

Aster cringed. “I don’t want to be part of this conversation,” he said. “It’s a girl thing.”

“At least you didn’t say it’s a chick thing,” Lily said, grinning.

His shoulders dropped. Guess Zane told his wife that. “You guys wanted to meet my sister. This is Daphne. Daphne, Lily, Poppy, and Rose.”

His sister walked around and shook hands.

“Have a seat,” Poppy said. “Let’s chat. How do you like the area so far?”

He didn’t know what was going on but wasn’t going to tell his bosses no.

“It’s very pretty,” Daphne said.

“Aster said he’s trying to convince you to move here. Is that true?”

His sister turned to look at him and he shrugged. “I’m thinking of it. Did my brother try to recruit you guys to convince me too?”

“I did not,” he said. “Only Raine.”

Poppy giggled. “I decided to do this on my own.”

He hoped it wouldn’t make his sister decide not to but couldn’t see how that was possible.

“You work at a daycare?” Lily asked. “Zane’s sister owns a daycare and always needs help.”

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