Page 38 of Last Chance at the Someday Café

“Oh, dear. Is everything okay? No problems?” The idea of anyone suffering bothered her, especially someone she cared about, like her sister-in-law.

“She says she went through this when she was carrying Tyler.” Guilt washed over his face. “I hate thinking of her going through all this alone,” he said softly.

Was that what was bothering him? “You can’t change the past.” He’d struggled with Tammie not telling him about Tyler’s existence years ago, but they’d gotten past that and had a great life. “You can’t let it mess up what you’ve got now.”

“Oh, I’m not.” He seemed to give himself a mental shake. “But, dear Lord, having a baby scares the crap out of me.”

This soldier—who’d deployed to Afghanistan, who’d been injured there and spent months in the hospital fighting to learn to walk again—was afraid of a little, tiny baby?

Tara stared at her big brother and did what any good, red-blooded little sister would do. She laughed. “Really?”

At his glare, she sobered—incredulous. “You’re serious. Oh, DJ.” She walked around the counter and plopped down next to him. “I’m sorry.” She still felt that ornery little-sister urge to tease him but squashed it into oblivion as his hand clenched into a frustrated fist. “I guess…I’m surprised. You’re such a great dad to Tyler.”

The anguish in his eyes hurt her. “I didn’t even know he existed until he was eight.”

“I guess…” It was hard to remember that. The boy had become such a big part of their lives. “It’s hard to even remember what it was like without him around.”

“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong. I love being his dad. But I don’t know what to do with a baby. And what if it’s a…a girl?”

This time her laughter was warm. “You can handle it. You helped with me, remember? I’m sure Tammie was just as scared when she had Ty. She’ll show you. You can do this.”

“Glad you think so.”

“I do.” Tara went back to work. “You didn’t screw me up too badly.” She laughed again and this time he joined her.

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Okay, all bets are off now.” She swatted him with a towel.

“Does that mean I don’t get any pie?” He looked hopeful now, more like the man she was used to.

She rolled her eyes. “Sucker,” she mumbled to herself and grabbed a plate. “Berry or apple?”

“One of each? I’m eating for two now.”

“Oh, stop it!”

“Make the apple to go. I’ll see if Tammie can keep that down.”

Tara smiled, pleased for her brother. And herself. She loved being an aunt to Mandy’s little Lucas and DJ’s Tyler. A girl, all sweet and soft, might be nice to have around. The idea of how a baby girl would wrap DJ around her little finger made Tara smile.

“If it’s a girl, you are so in trouble,” she teased, handing him the plate. “What does Tyler think?”

DJ’s full-throated laughter sounded good. “We haven’t told him yet. We’re going to tonight. I don’t think he’ll want a little sister.” DJ winked at her and focused on his pie.

Another little girl’s face floated through Tara’s mind. The one who’d been in the diner the other night. Sadness for the girl took the edge off her happiness.

She’d said she didn’t know where her dad was. Did she have an aunt or uncles who would want her if her parents didn’t? What about grandparents?

“What’s the matter?” DJ stood, gathering the dirty dishes and putting them in the bus tub. Addie would be proud.

“Nothing.” Tara didn’t look up at him, focusing instead on the collection of recipe cards on the counter. They were the ones Addie had given her at Mom’s house.

“Missing Mom?” he whispered.

“A little. These help, actually.”

“Looking for something specific?” He looked over her shoulder. “Oh, you should make this one.” He tapped a stained card. “Mom’s fruit salad was the best.”

“It was good. Maybe.” She faced him. “Do you ever remember Mom making those cookies Addie makes?”

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