At the faintly censorious tone, Laura pulled herself back. “I’m sorry. The girls need to get up for school.”

“They’re up. As a matter of fact . . .”leased with her surprise, Ann walked to the door. At the signal, the room filled with people and noise.

“Mama.” The girls came first, rushing in to jump on the bed and rattle plates on the tray. At seven and ten they weren’t babies any longer, but she cuddled them just the same. Kayla, the younger, was always ready for a hug, but Allison had been growing distant. Laura knew the extended embrace from her elder daughter was one of the best gifts she would receive that day.

“Annie said we could all come and start your birthday off right.” Kayla bounced, her smoky gray eyes bright with excitement. “And everybody’s here.”

“So they are.” With an arm around each girl, Laura grinned at the crowd. Margo was already passing her three-month-old son to his grandmother so she could supervise as Josh opened a bottle of champagne. Kate slipped away from her husband to help herself to one of the croissants on Laura’s tray.

“So how does it feel, champ?” Kate asked with her mouth full. “The big three-oh?”

“It was feeling lousy until a minute ago. Mimosas?” She raised a brow at Margo.

“You betcha. And, no,” she said, anticipating Ali, “straight o.j. for you and your sister.”

“It’s a special occasion,” Ali complained.

“So, you’re going to drink your o.j. in a champagne flute.” With a flourish, she passed juice to the girls. “For a toast,” she added, then hooked an arm through her husband’s. “Right, Josh?”

“To Laura Templeton,” he began, “a woman of many talents—which includes looking pretty great for a kid sister on the morning of her thirtieth birthday.”

“And if anyone brought a camera in here,” Laura said, pushing back her tumbled hair, “I’ll kill them.”

“I knew I forgot something.” Kate shook her head, then shrugged. “Well—let’s get to the first gift. Byron?”

Byron De Witt, Kate’s husband of six weeks and the executive director of Templeton California, stepped forward. He touched his glass lightly to Laura’s and grinned. “Ms. Templeton, if I see you anywhere on hotel property before midnight tonight, I’ll be forced to pull rank and fire you.”

“But I have two accounts I have to—”

“Not today you don’t. Consider your office closed. Somehow Conventions and Special Events will have to limp along without you for twenty-four hours.”

“I appreciate the thought, Byron, but—”

“All right.” He sighed. “If you insist on going over my head. Mr. Templeton?”

Enjoying himself, Josh joined ranks with Byron. “As executive vice president, Templeton, I’m ordering you to take the day off. And if you’ve got some idea about going over my head, I’ve already talked to Mom and Dad. They’ll be calling you later.”