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Keefe appeared in the doorway with Sophie beside him, holding up a paper bag like an offering. “Tis I, oh pregnant cousin and I have come bearing culinary gifts.” He held up a large paper bag that had something inside that smelled amazing. Can I tempt you with my triple chocolate croissants? And—just for you, lovely lady—a dill pickle slushy. Though, to be honest, that one repulses me a bit.”
Darcie reached out as if she could summon it with sheer will. “You’re my favorite O’Brian.”
Connor shot her an exaggerated affronted look. She waved a hand dismissively. “You were winning five minutes ago. Keefe just took the lead.”
Sophie smirked as she set a large bowl of fruit salad on the nightstand beside a bottle of chocolate syrup. She smiled at Darcie and winked. “And I brought you something healthy because someone has to balance this out.”
Before Darcie could argue that flaky pastry was its own food group, more footsteps sounded in the hall. A moment later, Bitsy came racing into the room and leaped onto the bed, snuggling up with Darcie and Bootstrap. Then Sondra and Simon appeared, Sondra grinning as she held up a pink polka-dot bakery box.
“We brought triple chocolate, peanut butter cheesecake! And,” she held up a jar, “Pickles!”
Darcie beamed, holding out her one free hand—since the other was busy hugging the tiny dog and balancing her slushy, while Bitsy licked her ear.
Chocolate and dill pickles were Darcie’s favorite foods to eat these days. She couldn’t wait to dip a pickle into that luscious cheesecake.
Connor traded a look with Simon, who gave a quick nod signaling the dessert was store bought and not made with Sondra’s loving care.
“This will go great with my drink, thank you!” Darcie said with an en eager smile.
“Keefe, where on earth did you find a dill pickle slushy?” Connor watched as Darcie eagerly sucked down the frozen drink through a red-striped straw. The green concoction repulsed him too, but it made Darcie so happy that he didn’t mind.
“I made it myself. I was thinking of putting it on the menu. You know, as a quirky sort of thing.”
A chorus of “Eww” filled the air—except for Darcie, who shouted an enthusiastic “Yes!”
“Let’s leave the womenfolk and go have a beer. You look like you could use one,” Keefe said, directing his observation at Connor. Besides, he didn’t want to be in the room when Darcie ate the pickles with the chocolate. It was simply too gross to even think about.
Darcie smiled at Connor who was reluctant to leave her.
Sondra knew how to handle these men. “All right you two and your secret looks, break it up. Connor, go in the living room and relax while we girls gossip. She won’t be alone. Sophie and I have got this.”
Seeing as his wife had enough sweets to keep her fed for a good hour, Connor kissed his wife on the forehead, and followed Simon and Keefe to the living room.
“So, how is Darcie really?” Keefe asked as he accepted a bottle of Harp from Simon who appeared from the kitchen carrying three beers.
“So long as she stays off her feet, she’s okay. Although her mood swings are getting worse. Yesterday she called me an idiot.”
“In fairness you kind of are,” said Simon. He sat down in an armchair beside the sofa and made himself comfortable.
“Yeah, but she hasn’t said anything like that since our big fight, you know, just before we got engaged.”
“What’s this? A fight? You and Darcie? I don’t believe it!” said Keefe.
“It’s true. Tell him, Simon.”
Simon chuckled. Darcie and Connor didn’t know the meaning of a fight. Now he and Sondra—they knew how to fight! “Don’t listen to him Keefe. These two have been all over each other in love since day one.”
Connor took a drink of his beer, sank into the sofa, then spoke. “You should talk! Even when you and Sondra aren’t together you’ve got your hands all over each other. Keefe, honestly back me up here.”
“He’s right, Simon. I mean you two really need to get a room like… always.”
Connor laughed.
“I don’t know what you’re getting on me about. You and Darcie are just the same.”
Connor smirked. “Not like that we aren’t.”
“B-U-L-bullshit!” Keefe cried. “Maybe I don’t know Darcie as well as I’d like but even I can see the way you look at each other! Everyone can see!”
