Fool's Gold Collection Volume 4: Halfway There / Just One Kiss / Two of a Kind / Three Little Words. Susan Mallery
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“People change.”
“You think Steve has changed?”
Ava shifted in her seat. “I’m not sure. I’m just saying he might mean what he says. Time has a way of making things more clear. For some people, that means dealing with regrets. If Steve is genuine, then you might want to take him seriously.”
Patience was less sure. “I don’t want Lillie to get hurt. She never talks about her dad, but I know she thinks about him. Her friends have fathers. Even the ones with divorced parents still see their dads. She never has. He’s just gone and he’s not coming back. It would be different if he’d died—then his absence wouldn’t be a choice. What if Steve hasn’t changed? What if he sees her a few times and then disappears?”
“Maybe he wouldn’t.”
“You’re taking his side.”
“I’m saying you need more information.”
Patience didn’t understand. It almost felt as if there was something her mother wasn’t telling her.
“I’m going to wait to hear what Justice has to say,” she told her mother. “If he clears Steve, then I’ll consider letting him meet Lillie. Otherwise, there’s no way he’s getting close to my daughter.”
JO’S BAR WAS one of those places unique to Fool’s Gold. Decorated in female-friendly colors, with TVs turned to shopping networks and fun reality TV, the place catered to the women in town. There were plenty of low-calorie choices on the menu, a play area for toddlers during lunch and a complete lack of single guys on the prowl. While men were welcome, they tended to avoid Jo’s Bar. If they did show up, they migrated to the back room where they could find a pool table and smaller TVs with professional sports playing.
Patience walked in and saw her friends at the table by the back wall. Usually they settled in one of the large booths, but with Annabelle due to give birth at any second, and Heidi about seven months along, sliding into a booth had become complicated.
“How are you?” she asked as she approached.
“Huge,” Annabelle said.
The petite redhead did look uncomfortably large, Patience thought as she hugged her. Heidi was a little taller and carrying a bit less baby.
“I’m good,” Heidi said with a smile.
“She’s serene,” Charlie announced. “It’s kind of annoying.”
“I’m in the Zen part of my pregnancy.” Heidi laughed. “Very one with the universe.”
Heidi was a pretty blonde who lived on the Castle Ranch just outside town. Charlie was a local firefighter. Strong, tall and possibly the least girlie woman Patience had met. She was attractive, but had an air of competence that scared off most men.
Last year the three friends had fallen in love with the Stryker brothers. As their friend, Patience had had a front-row seat to all the excitement, heartache and ultimately the happy endings.
Now she took one of the remaining chairs and hung her purse on the back. “I invited a friend of mine to join us. I hope that’s okay.”
Charlie leaned toward her. “You know that’s perfectly fine. We like a big crowd. It keeps the conversation lively. Who is she?”
“Her name is Isabel Beebe. Her family has owned Paper Moon forever. She’s been living in New York for the past few years, but is back for a while. Her parents want to sell the store. Isabel is going to run it and get it ready for sale.”
Annabelle’s eyes filled with tears. “She’s selling Paper Moon? But I was going to get my dress there. It’s a Fool’s Gold institution. I want to be part of an institution.”
“More like you need to be locked away in one,” Charlie muttered, rubbing Annabelle’s back. “Come on. Take a few breaths. You’re very emotional. It’s the hormones. Nothing is really wrong.”
Annabelle sniffed a couple of times. “I can’t help it. I cry at everything.”
Heidi patted her hand. “Charlie’s right. Try breathing.”
“I need to pull it together,” Annabelle said with a tiny sob. “I don’t want to scare Isabel away. Even if she is closing the store.”
Patience glanced at Charlie, who rolled her eyes. “You’ve never even been in the store,” Charlie told her. “How can you be this upset?”
“I had p-plans.”
“I really hope the baby comes soon,” Charlie muttered. “I can’t take much more of this.”
Patience held in a smile. She didn’t remember her pregnancy being so emotional, but everyone was different.
Annabelle raised her head and sniffed. “Oh, look. That’s her. She’s very pretty. Isabel is a nice name. Maybe we should put it on the list.”
“Kill me now,” Charlie said with a sigh. “I’m never getting pregnant. It’s not worth it.”
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Annabelle told her earnestly. “You’ll be a great mother.”
“And the tears are gone.”
Patience waved Isabel over, then made the introductions. Isabel settled in the seat next to her. She eyed the two pregnant women.
“I think I’m going to drink my water out of a bottle while I’m at this table.”
Heidi laughed. “It’s not contagious.”
“I’m not taking any chances.” She turned to Charlie. “How have you escaped their fate?”
“Careful planning.”
Heidi leaned close. “Clay, her fiancé, is more worried about getting her married than anything else right now.”
“We’re getting married,” Charlie said. “Just as soon as I knock some sense into him.”
Patience glanced at Isabel. “Clay wants a big wedding. Charlie doesn’t.”
“It’s stupid to have a bunch of people over for a big ceremony. We should elope.”
Annabelle’s eyes filled again. “You hate weddings?”
Jo, the owner, walked over. “Nice to see all of you for lunch.” She looked at Isabel. “I’m Jo.”
“Isabel Beebe.”
“Paper Moon,” Jo said. “Great store. I know your sister, Maeve. Now, there’s a woman committed to having children.” She pointed to the chalkboard by the bar. “We have two specials today. One of them is a salad. Plenty of lean protein and lots of greens for my pregnant customers. I’ve also been working on a new smoothie. Lots of dairy. I can do chocolate or blueberry.”
Heidi took a deep breath, as if finding her Zen center. “Yes to both, please. Chocolate.”
“I’m still in emotional distress,” Annabelle admitted.
“We’ll need a few minutes,” Charlie told Jo. “Bring the weepy one some herbal tea. Iced and with extra lemon.”
“Diet soda,” Patience said.
“I’ll have the same,” Isabel said.
“A double shot of tequila,” Charlie told Jo, then held up her hand. “I’m kidding. But I will take a mint chocolate milkshake.”
Jo nodded. “If it’s too early for alcohol, then go for the sugar.” She wrote down the orders. “I’ll let you look over the menus.”
When Jo had left, Annabelle