He tugged at the collar of his shirt. That wasn’t the last thing he wanted to talk about, but it was pretty close. “I suppose not.”

“I know the party’s at noon, but if you need me to come over earlier, just let me know.”

The party was at noon? That was news to him. He didn’t even know there was a party.

She must’ve read the confusion on his face. “I talked with Bea.”

A light sheen of sweat formed on his forehead as he knelt beside the meter. Boy, oh boy. Bea and Marge talking?

“She’s going to be a wonderful mom,” Marge continued. “I just know it.”

He tried to keep his face from giving anything away but must have failed.

“What?” Marge leaned closer. “You don’t think so?”

His hands stilled. His voice lowered. “They’re just so young. They don’t even have a place to live.”

Why was he talking to her about this?

“Of course they do. They live with you.”

He let out a long breath. “Hardly the ideal situation to start a family.”

Marge’s eyes widened, then she laughed. She slapped her hand on her knee and let out a high-pitched hoot that made Mitch jump.

He frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“Listen to yourself.” She wiped at her eyes. “The ‘ideal situation.’ If everyone waited for the ideal situation, no families would ever start.”

He slowly turned back to the meter, his brow furrowed. She had a point. But he didn’t have to like it. He resumed his work while racking his brain for a different topic.

“You hear about CJ Tucker?” He shifted his body and jerked his wrist, making quick work of the meter’s attachment. “George’s boy?”

“No.” She put a hand to her chest. “Everything okay?”

“Had an accident.” Mitch leaned into the wrench and grunted. “Busted his leg real bad. I guess he’ll be laid up for quite a while.”

“That’s awful. What with his wife expecting and everything.”

He pulled a rag from his back pocket to mop up some water that had dripped onto the floor. “Expecting?”

“I heard she’s pregnant again. Poor thing.” Marge’s cheeks flushed. “Because of CJ’s accident, not because of the baby.”

The family had been on his mind all day. And they were having another baby? Looked like Bea and Jeremy weren’t the only expectant parents in a less-than-ideal situation. He wished there was something he could do to help.

“Puts them in a tight spot, that’s for sure.” He double-checked his work, then stood. “That should do it.”

“Thank you.” Marge rose from her chair, and they walked toward the stairway. “Can I get you anything before you go? I made banana bread.”

“No, thanks. I better get moving.”

“A cup of coffee?”