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“Your windows are open?” Dena asked, sounding surprised. “It’s like twenty-eight degrees here.”
“No, the window’s closed. Belle doesn’t worry about things like windows and walls getting in her way. You know that.”
“That’s my favorite dog niece. Is her suitcase bigger than yours?”
“Kind of, but that’s because she’s more fabulous than me. How are you feeling? Still barfing everywhere?”
Dena sucked in a sharp breath. “I try to not barf everywhere, as you put it. But yes, I’m still sick.”
“Mom said her pregnancies were easy. I’m sorry yours isn’t the same.”
“Me, too. But hopefully in a few weeks the all-day morning sickness will start to ease. I’m also tired a lot. I nearly fell asleep in class yesterday. That’s supposed to pass, too.”
“There’s a lot of passing in pregnancy,” Reggie teased. “I didn’t know that.”
“Me, either, but hey, we’re learning together.”
“I’m excited about the knitting project.” Reggie watched a truck come up close behind and then zoom around her. As she was going exactly four miles over the speed limit, she waved at the guy and wondered if she would see him getting a ticket a few miles up the highway.
“Are you sure you want to take it on?” Dena asked, sounding concerned. “It’s a lot of work. I could—”
“No, you couldn’t,” Reggie said, interrupting her sister. “Dena, you teach full-time, you manage the B and B and you’re pregnant. Don’t you think that’s enough? I’ve read over the material Mom sent, and I’m happy to step in while she’s busy with planning her wedding. Besides, it’ll be fun and my good deed for the holidays. I’ve been practicing with the circular loom I bought. The kids are going to have a great time.”
“Thanks for helping my class.”
“Not a problem.”
“Some of the parents will be joining the sessions,” Dena said, her voice slightly tense. “We’ll talk about that when you get here.”
“The more people who help, the more hats and scarves we’ll get done. I think the parents joining in is a good thing.”
“We’ll talk later,” Dena repeated.
“Sure. Just don’t tell Mom I already left. I don’t want her worrying about me on the drive.”
“What? Our mother, worry?” Dena laughed. “When has that ever happened? By the way, she can’t decide if she wants us to be bridesmaids.”
Reggie winced. “It’s her wedding and she gets to say what happens, but I’m a big, fat no on the topic.”
“Me, too. I’d be worried about the whole throwing up thing.”
Reggie grinned. “That would change the mood of the happy event.”
“Yes, and none of us want that to happen. Are you really okay about coming home?”
The change in topic was unexpected enough that it took her a beat to catch up. “It’s past time. I love being home for the holidays. I’m not going to let what happened a year ago keep me from spending time with my family.”
“That’s a good attitude. How much of it is fake?”
“About forty percent.”
“That’s still pretty good.” Her sister’s voice turned teasing. “Want me to ask around, see if I can find some nice guy looking for love? Dean’s still single, and he’s yummy-looking.”
“Thanks, but no. Dating my ex’s best friend would be weird.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. Not a good suggestion.”
Reggie laughed. “It’s okay. Even if I ignored the BFFs with Jake thing, I’ve dated nice guys nearly all my life. I want to try someone a little bad. In part for variety and in part because when he breaks my heart, it won’t be such a surprise.”
