Page 60 of Merry Murder Season
“For a meeting?” I was confused. The mayor’s office was dark and there wasn’t anyone in the conference room.
“No. I’m late.” She waited until her meaning hit me. “Now, you can’t tell anyone. Justin says we should wait until I get through the first trimester, but I bought a kit on the way to work, andit’s positive.”
“You’re pregnant?” I hugged her.
“Yes, but I bought two kits, so really, don’t say anything. I’m going to do it again tonight with Justin and he wants to be thefirst to know.”
I laughed. “Then why did you tell me?”
“Because you’ve been there long before Justin, and if something goes wrong, you’ll be there after too. We’re best friends. And the first test was a little light. I might just be late. I’ll call if it goes the other way tonight.”
“So, a baby?” I counted months. “An August baby?”
“Of course. I’ll be huge during summer and not able to surf. The baby bump is going to throw off my balance on the board. Justin and I planned a trip to Bali for New Year’s. You and Greg should come along. White beaches, blue water. If that test is right, it might be our last couples’ trip for a while.”
“But you’ll have a baby and a family.” I hugged her again. “I’m excited for your journey, even if it doesn’t start today. It’s going to happen soon.”
I told her I’d ask Greg about the trip, but I didn’t think we’d be going. We had used a lot of his time off for our honeymoon in January. I moved through the halls and came out by the water fountain and the bathrooms and into the station.
Esmeralda was cleaning the coffee station in the lobby. “Greg’s in Bakerstown. Initial arraignment for Gunter. He’ll begone all day.”
“I came to drop off cookies for you. Beth and I went crazy yesterday.” I handed her a couple of bags of cookies. “And one for the guys. You know they’ll eat all yours if you don’t hide these.”
Esmeralda stared at me, then took the bags. “Next summer is going to be different, but it will be wonderful. Change isn’t always bad.”
“Okay.” I tried not to meet her eyes. If Esmeralda could read my mind and know that Amy was pregnant, I was going to be in trouble with my friend.“That’s nice.”
She laughed and went to her desk where she set down the cookies. “I can keep a secret too, Jill.”
I paused before leaving the station. “You didn’t call from New Orleans. I thought you weregoing to call.”
“You seemed to have the situation in hand.” She smiled. “I didn’t say it was a big choice. But you supported your friend, even when you didn’t know what was happening. Beth’s lucky to be part of your family.”
I hurried out of the station before she could tell me more about my future. I liked to be surprised by what was coming. Okay, that wasn’t true. I was the kid who unwrapped and peeked at Christmas gifts. I knew where my mom stashed things as soon as she bought them.
Maybe this was the choice I was supposed to be making. Learning to live with the change happening around me.
Amy was having a baby. I knew it in my bones, and with Esmeralda’s confirmation, I looked forward to welcoming a new member to our South Cove clan. Even though Justin and Amy had bought a house in a nearby town, they’d always be part of the family here.
I hoped Beth would soon be joining the King tribe. And Beth and Jim’s upcoming wedding was another reason I wouldn’t be on the beach with Amy at the beginning of the new year. But that was okay. I had three more stops to make, then I was heading home.
Time to make the house look like Christmas. I corrected myself as I crossed the street to Antiques by Thomas. Time to make our home look like Christmas. I might even run to Bakerstown and pick up a family of Christmas gnomes for the living room. I just hoped Emma wouldn’t eat them.
