Page 25 of The Pink House

Apparently not today, though.

Yes.Hannah included a smiley-face emoji in her response.

The phone rang a second later.

“Emma. Hello. It’s good to hear from you.”

“Ditto. How are things back in the old hometown?”

Emma’s voice held an excited edge. Hannah knew her friend too well to think this would be just a random call. Emma had news to share.

“Things are going well.” Hannah glanced out the window and spotted Charlie standing beside a motorcycle, chatting with a scruffy-looking man with a long gray beard.

She wasn’t sure what Charlie did for a living, but shouldn’t he be working?

Not my business.Hannah returned her attention to the conversation at hand. “I’ve got big changes planned for my home’s interior. Beginning with having the wood floors refinished. I’m also looking at paint options.”

She was about to add that she was considering planting rosebushes and realized she was on the verge of rambling. Hannah clamped her lips together.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually going to paint over the white?” Emma pretended to gasp. “What is your dad going to think?”

Hannah had told her friend all about her father’s proclivities.

“Dear old Dad won’t know until he returns for a visit, and by then, it will be a fait accompli.” Hannah smiled. “I’m sure he’ll love it, and I’m really looking forward to having some color in here. Enough about me. How are things in Greensboro?”

“Same. Except…” The excited quiver was back in Emma’s voice. “I’ve got fabulous news. Calista and Jack are pregnant. We’re doing a girls’ lunch next weekend to celebrate. I wish you were here so you could come with us.”

Calista was an inner-circle friend. Hannah had first met the stylish brunette when Emma had invited Hannah to join a monthly Wine, Women and Wit book club, in which the two were both members. She’d liked Calista instantly. The woman had an upbeat outlook on life and a dry sense of humor.

When Calista had left her retail management position to pursue a long-held dream of becoming an attorney, Hannah had cheered her on.

“I’m thrilled for both her and Jack. I wish I could be there to give her a big hug and tell her congrats in person.” Hannah already knew what kind of celebratory cupcakes she’d bake to give to the happy couple if she’d still been in Greensboro. “Where’s the luncheon?”

“Green Valley Grill.”

“Yum.” The restaurant, with its wood-fired rotisserie and grill, was a favorite. “I love their blackberry mojitos.”

“Their scallops aren’t half bad either.”

“I miss the scallops.” Hannah couldn’t count the number of times when Brian had been working late that she and Emma had stopped into the Grill and split an entrée of the pan-seared scallops for dinner. Hannah smiled at the sweet memory before pulling her brows together. “I’m happy, but a bit surprised to hear they’re pregnant. I thought Calista said they’d decided to wait until she was out of law school to start a family.”

“Best-laid plans.” Emma chuckled. “Calista told me this baby was obviously meant to be. They’re both so excited. Jack has already compiled a list of baby names.”

“It’s going to be rough with her still in school—”

“You’re right. Now isn’t the best time, but they’re rolling with it.”

Now isn’t the best time.

Nearly the same words that Brian had uttered two years ago when Hannah had mentioned wanting to start a family. Or, at least, wanting to go off birth control and try.

Hannah fought a pang of envy. “I’ll text Calista, but please give her my congrats and best wishes.”

When the conversation ended, Hannah sat, staring at the phone in her hand.

Two years ago, Hannah had hoped that by now she’d be the one with the pregnancy news. Instead, she was back in her hometown without her husband or a child.

With each passing year, she was learning just how unpredictable and capricious life could be. Unexpected occurrences could derail carefully made plans, not to mention hopes and dreams.

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