Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,27

heartbeat.”

“Congratulations,” I said. I must have sounded a little doubtful. I was thinking about the sleep deprivation.

Ben spurted out a laugh. “Yeah. It’s great. But it’s definitely overwhelming.”

“It’s wonderful news,” Josh said.

“Becky’s a little shell-shocked.”

“Well, Becky is definitely going to need help,” Madeline said. “I’ll call the knitting ladies, and we’ll get organized.”

“You knit?” Somehow that didn’t fit with what I knew of Madeline.

“Don’t be silly,” she said to me. “The knitting ladies is a historical name. Nobody’s knitted anything for a few decades.”

“It’s turned into a wine tasting club,” Josh said.

“We do like a little wine,” Madeline said. “It makes the conversation flow nicely. We discuss current events.”

“Like flowers for the summer festival?” I guessed.

“And the impact of trade agreements on emerging markets in Africa.”

I didn’t know what to say. I felt terrible for having assumed they only cared about Rutter’s Point and girly things. It was a terrible assumption for me to have made.

“I didn’t mean to sound snotty,” Madeline said.

“You didn’t. I’m sorry. I—”

“You should come. I think you’d like it.”

“I don’t know very much about the impact of trade agreements on emerging markets in Africa.”

“Then we’ll pick a new topic.” Her gaze went to Ben. She smiled and her voice went singsong. “Like how we’re going to help with Ben and Becky’s new family.”

“We’d definitely appreciate any help,” Ben said. Then he rose. “For now, I need to get back to the house and make sure Becky is following the doctor’s orders. I just wanted to stop by to say thanks.”

“I’m so happy to hear she . . .” I corrected myself. “I mean they, that all of them, are going to be fine.”

“Premature labor is the only big concern, as it is with anyone carrying twins. But we’re even through the danger zone for that. And if Becky stays off her feet, the doctor is optimistic she’ll go nearly to term.”

“It is all good news,” I said. Sure, it might be rocky at first, but Ben and Becky seemed like they’d be amazing parents. And it sounded like Rutter’s Point would rally around them and provide support. From what I’d seen, there was no more supportive town than this one. It was refreshing, delightful really, to see how close-knit and caring they all were.

“Becky will call you later,” Ben said to Madeline.

“No rush,” Madeline replied. “Keep that girl off her feet. I’ll order you two some soup from the Hook and Anchor.” To me she said, “They make a fantastic apple butternut squash.”

“Sounds terrific,” Ben said, leaving us with a wave.

“I might not be able to cook,” Madeline said. “But I can order soup with the best of them.”

“I’m so relieved.” I sat back in my chair. It was only just hitting me how worried I’d been about Becky and the baby. Correction, babies. Wow.

“Now I just have to figure out how to cope with the office work,” Madeline said.

“You might have to work Mondays for a while,” I joked. “Maybe Fridays too.” I assumed that would be the plan when Becky went on maternity leave.

Madeline didn’t answer.

I looked up to see Josh had moved out of Madeline’s field of vision. He was shaking his head at me.

“What?” I asked him.

“How long did you plan to be away from New York City?” Madeline asked.

“Two weeks or so,” I said. But as soon as I answered, I realized where she was going.

“Two weeks would be such a big help,” she said.

Now Josh was nodding.

It was tempting to stay. More tempting than I could have ever imagined. But if I stayed here, there were doggie baths in my future. I did not want to give any doggies any baths.

“I really can’t stay,” I said. “And you’ll only have to step up a few weeks early.”

“I suppose,” Madeline said.

Now Josh was more frantically shaking his head. He made an odd face and pointed to the kitchen.

“Thirsty?” he asked me.

“Not really,” I said.

It was pretty clear he was going to try to change my mind. He wouldn’t. I mean, he probably couldn’t. But I didn’t want to chance it.

“You look thirsty,” he said.

“I could use a drink before dinner,” Madeline answered. “Why don’t you head on down and pick us out a nice bottle of Merlot?”

“Sure,” Josh said. “Laila can help me.”

“I don’t know anything about wine.” What I did know was how not to get cornered by Josh.

“Then this is the perfect chance to learn,” he said. “I’ll give you the grand wine cellar tour.”

*

I ran out of