keg of them all. This might prove to be downright explosive.
Dr. Barnette dims the lights in the room. “Let’s do a quick ultrasound. I’m going to see if I can determine the sex of the baby for my records. Lottie, do you want to know the gender of the baby?”
My mouth opens as I look to Noah and Everett. “We had agreed to wait, but if the moment is here and you’ll have that information, shouldn’t I? There are so many things to plan. I could paint the baby’s room pink or blue. I could buy outfits and toys, and I could plan out the potential names better. I could…” I stop myself cold as I look to Noah and Everett. “What do you think?”
“Your call, Lemon.” Everett gives a sly wink.
Noah’s lips knot up. “I agree. But don’t get caught up in the moment. Really consider it.”
Everett nods. “We can paint the baby’s room a neutral color. And I promise, once that baby is born, you can go on a wild pink or blue shopping spree. It’s on me. No need to rush things if you don’t want to.”
“Okay,” I pant as Dr. Barnette slathers my belly with the warm blue gel, and soon that instrument that looks like a computer mouse is trekking all over my abdomen.
“And there’s the baby,” she sings. “The arms and legs look perfect. The trunk, the head is appropriate for this stage, and it almost looks as if it’s waving.”
The three of us coo at the sight and shed a light laugh.
Dr. Barnette shakes her head. “But the legs are crossed. It looks as if it’s not telling us the information I came looking for. I guess the baby has made the decision for us. Not only do we not know whose it is, we don’t know what it is.”
A laugh trembles from me. “I’m more than fine with that. Actually, I think I’m going to keep it that way until delivery day.” I nod to Everett. “I’ve always been partial to a shade of Granny Smith apple green. I think that will be the perfect color to paint the baby’s room.”
Everett pulls my hand up and kisses it. “I’ll get right on that.”
“And one more thing.” Dr. Barnette hands me a towel to wipe the jelly off my stomach as she flicks on the lights. “The baby is now getting used to hearing your voice, Lottie. You might want to sing to it, or some people like to read stories. Don’t be afraid to talk to it regularly. And Noah and Everett, I suggest the same to you. It’s important that the baby knows its father’s voice, too. Your voices are deeper in octave, and babies respond very well to that.”
Noah’s face brightens. “I’ve already got a few books picked out.”
“Great,” Dr. Barnette says as she heads to the door. “I’ll see you all back here in four weeks and we’ll discuss signing up for prenatal classes. It all happens so very fast. Be prepared. This baby will be here before you know it.”
She takes off, and I shake my head as I look to Noah and Everett.
“She’s right. I feel like this is zipping by. I couldn’t fit in my old clothes even if I had them. And now we’ve got to get all that baby gear together. There are so many things to do in preparation. And I still have the bakery to run.” Tears come to my eyes, and I blink them away. “So who’s up for dinner?”
Everett laughs. “Name the place. I’ll have Carlotta and Evie meet us there, too.”
My stomach growls on cue. “I think this baby just asked for Mangias.”
I put myself back together and we head off for the promise of delicious Italian food.
The baby might be here soon enough, but not before I indulge in another cheesy wonder from my favorite pizza place.
And hopefully not sooner than I take down Hannah Beckham’s killer, too.
Chapter 10
Mangias is filled to capacity. And on top of that, they have an unprecedented forty-five minute wait. For a moment, we entertain heading across the street to the Honey Pot Diner, but there appears to be a line out the door there, too.
Evie groans. “I guess everyone had the same idea. And too bad because I’m starving.”
“It must be residual business from the street fair,” Everett says. “It was a brilliant idea because the businesses along Main Street have never been busier.”
“The Cutie Pie can attest to that,” I tell