to let a perfectly good dinner go to waste.”
“I agree,” Bobby said.
To her surprise, the meal went smoothly. Without complaint, Christie switched from beer to tap water. The two of them talked in an unusually friendly fashion. Comfortable with each other, Johnny and Bobby chatted about chess, cars and Star Trek. Bobby was polite toward Christie but conveyed in unmistakable terms that he wouldn’t be swayed by her many charms.
“Would anyone like dessert?” Teri asked, her mood hovering close to joyous. She’d always known that she’d married a wonderful man, but he was even more wonderful than she’d realized. Every time she thought about the matter-of-fact way he’d delivered her mother’s purse to the front door, it warmed her heart. Bobby wasn’t about to let anyone insult his wife. He hadn’t spoken a single word, but his message was clear. She couldn’t wait to show him her love and gratitude, and from the gleam in his eyes, Bobby knew exactly how she intended to do that.
Christie must have noticed the look they’d shared because she followed Teri into the kitchen. “He loves you,” she murmured.
“He does.” Teri started to load the plates into the dishwasher. “No man’s ever loved me like that.”
“Where’d you meet him?”
“Not in a bar,” Teri said pointedly.
“I thought you’d say that.” Christie rinsed off the dishes and handed them to Teri.
Teri couldn’t remember ever working side by side with her sister before. Not as an adult, at any rate.
“He’s a decent guy, you know,” Christie said thoughtfully. “I’m not likely to meet someone like him.”
Teri had to agree that she’d been fortunate. “Don’t be so sure,” she told her sister. “Think positive.”
Christie snickered. “A lot of good that’ll do me.”
Teri made a pot of coffee while Christie sliced the homemade coconut cake. Together they carried dessert into the dining room.
Half an hour later, Johnny prepared to leave for Seattle. He hugged both of his sisters and as he walked out, he gave Teri a thumbs-up.
“We’ll drive you home,” Bobby said when Christie told them it was time for her to leave as well.
“Oh, no, I’m fine,” Christie insisted. “I’ll walk.”
Bobby wouldn’t hear of it. “James is outside waiting.”
“James?” Christie asked, glancing at Teri for an answer.
“James Wilbur, Bobby’s personal driver.”
“Oh.” Christie struggled with little success to hide a smile. “I guess that would be all right.”
Teri and Bobby escorted her to the vehicle. James, looking distinguished as usual, stood by the passenger door, waiting to open it for her.
“La-di-da,” Christie said, clearly impressed. She inclined her head. “Thank you, James.” Giggling, she gestured regally. “Home, James.”
Without cracking a smile, James held the door and Christie slid inside. As soon as she was seated, she lowered the tinted window. “Wow, this is really something.” She sounded about ten years old, and Teri was touched by this glimpse of a more innocent Christie.
“Come and visit us again,” Bobby said.
“I will,” Christie promised. Then, with an exaggerated flourish, she pressed the button to raise the window.
When James pulled onto the drive, Teri leaned against her husband. “That was nice of you.”
“Yes.”
It was just like him to acknowledge his own generosity. But then—why shouldn’t he? “So,” she said. “What do you think of my family?”
“I like Johnny.”
“I know.”
“And Christie.”
Her defenses immediately went on alert. “You … like … Christie?”
“I do, but it’s you I love.”
“Excellent answer, Mr. Polgar.”
Bobby chuckled. “I’m tired. Let’s go to bed.”
Teri knew it wasn’t sleeping he had in mind. “It’s too early.”
“No, it isn’t,” he said. “In fact, it’s two or three hours later than I would’ve liked.”
Oh, yes, Teri Polgar loved her husband. At least as much as he loved her….
Seven
Grace Sherman Harding cradled the sleeping infant in her arms. The overwhelming love she felt for this tiny being was almost more than a single heart could hold. This was her new grandson: Drake Joseph Bowman. She smiled; that was quite a handle for such a small baby.
She’d experienced the same sense of wonder when she’d held Tyler and Katie as newborns.
“Is he still sleeping?” Maryellen asked, bringing two glasses of lemonade into the living room.
“Oh, Maryellen, he’s so precious.” This had been a difficult pregnancy for her daughter. Maryellen had spent the last five months bedridden. Both Grace and Cliff had done what they could to help, but it wasn’t enough. Thankfully, Jon’s parents had come from Oregon and were able to visit every day; otherwise, Grace didn’t know how Maryellen and Jon would’ve managed. Not with a three-year-old underfoot and Jon working all hours to support his family.
“Drake was worth every second of discomfort,” Maryellen said.
“How’s Katie doing?” Grace asked.
Maryellen sat down on the sofa opposite Grace’s chair. “She’s enthralled with being a big sister. Jon and I were afraid she’d show signs of jealousy. But so far, she hasn’t.”
“Good.” The baby’s eyes fluttered open and he stared up at Grace. Some might say she was imagining things, but she was sure he’d smiled at her. Grace smiled back. “Hello, handsome boy.”
“I see he’s awake and I’ll bet he’s hungry,” Maryellen said. “He probably needs a diaper change, too.” She reached for her son, and Grace watched as Maryellen changed him out of a soggy diaper into a fresh one.
“How’s Kelly doing?” Maryellen asked when she’d finished.
Grace’s younger daughter was due in the next two weeks.
“She envies you,” Grace said wryly. “She’s definitely ready for this baby to be born.”
“The last two weeks of this pregnancy were the longest of
