“I don’t need the doctor.” Fighting the dizziness, Maggie groped out until she found Shannon’s hand. “Don’t bother him. It’s just being pregnant is all. It was the same when I was carrying Liam the first few weeks.”

Shaky, and disgusted with herself, Maggie sat back. She knew the routine and kept her eyes closed, drew air in slow and steady. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise when she felt the cool cloth on her head.

“Thanks.”

“Drink some water.” Hoping it was the right move, Shannon urged the glass she’d just filled into Maggie’s hand. “You’re still awfully pale.”

“It passes. Just nature’s way of reminding you you’ve a lot worse ahead in nine months.”

“Cheerful thought.” Shannon sat again, keeping her eyes glued to Maggie’s face. “Why are you having another?”

“I like challenges. And I want more children—which was a big surprise to me as I never knew I’d want the first. It’s an adventure, really, a little dizziness, getting queasy of a morning, growing fat as a prize hog.”

“I’ll take your word for it. Your color’s coming back.”

“Then you can stop staring at me as though I were going to sprout wings.” She slid the cloth from her brow, set it on the table between them. “Thank you.”

Relieved, Shannon leaned back in her chair. “Don’t mention it.”

“Since you bring it up.” Maggie plucked at the damp cloth. “I’d be grateful if you wouldn’t mention to Brie, or anyone, that I had a bit of a spell. She’d fuss, you see—then Rogan would start hovering.”

“And you do better at protecting than being protected.”

“You could say that.”

Thoughtful, Shannon drummed her fingers on the table. They’d crossed some line, she thought, without either of them realizing it. Maybe she would take the next, deliberate step.

“You want me to keep quiet about it?”

“I do, yes.”

“What’s it worth to you?”

Taken off guard, Maggie blinked. “Worth?”

“We could call it an exchange of favors.”

Brows knit, Maggie nodded. “We could. What favor are you after?”

“I want to see where you work.”

“Where I work?” Suspicion slipped into her voice, and her eyes. “Inside my glass house?”

Nothing could have been sweeter, Shannon decided. “I hear you really hate when people come into your glass house, ask questions, poke around. That’s what I want to do.” She rose to take her cup to the sink. “Otherwise, it might just slip out about you nearly fainting in the kitchen.”

“I didn’t faint,” Maggie muttered. “Body can’t even have a little spell in peace,” she continued as she pushed back from the table. “People are supposed to be tolerant of a woman with child. Come on then.” Obviously displeased, she took her cap back out of her pocket and stuffed it on her head.

“I thought I’d drive.”

“Just like a Yank,” Maggie said in disgust. “We’re walking.”

“Fine.” Shannon grabbed Murphy’s jacket from the peg and followed. “Where’s Liam?” she asked as they headed over the back lawn.