Since there’d be no more wine for the foreseeable future, Maddie fixed a glass of ice water and went outside, where the heat hung low and heavy over the island. The word “incinerator” came to mind. “How much longer is this grossness supposed to last anyway?” she asked as she ran the glass over her face, looking for relief anywhere she could find it.

“I heard on the news that it’s here to stay for a couple more days,” Laura said.

“Days?” Abby asked. “As in more than one?”

“Afraid so,” Laura said. “They’re predicting thunderstorms later in the week.”

“Can’t happen soon enough for me,” Maddie said. “Hey, where’s Jenny?”

“Sick,” Sydney said. “She has a fever.”

“Ugh, that’s too bad.” Maddie sat next to her mother on a lounge chair. “Hi, Mama.” She leaned in to kiss Francine’s flushed cheek. “Glad you could make it.”

“Why have you been crying?” Francine asked, taking a long perusing look at her eldest daughter.

“What? I have not.”

“Yes, you have. What’s wrong?”

Everything stopped as the others stared at her, and Maddie wilted as much from the heat of their stares as the thick humidity. “Um, well, so it’s kind of funny, actually.”

“What’s so funny?” Grace asked.

Maddie glanced at Sydney and saw that her old friend was waiting to hear what she had to say. “It seems that, despite my histrionics the other day, I’m pregnant after all.”

The girls went wild screaming and hugging Maddie until she was in tears all over again.

“I knew it,” Francine said smugly. “You had that look about you. Same as the last two times.”

“I’m glad you knew it, because I had myself convinced I wasn’t.”

Sydney came over to hug her. “Congratulations, Maddie. I’m so happy for you.”

“I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for you, too.”

“If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. Don’t let my situation take anything away from your excitement. Do you hear me?”

Sydney’s kind words had Maddie bawling her head off all over again. “You can’t be nice to me, or this happens. Don’t anyone be nice to me for the next nine months.”

“All right, bitch,” Stephanie said. “Stop your damned blubbering, and let’s plan this shower for your sister.”

“Much better,” Maddie said, laughing as she mopped up her tears with a tissue her mother handed her.

“How’s Mac handling the news?” Francine asked.

“Surprisingly well. He’s very excited but also very determined to move to the mainland in plenty of time to ensure there’re no more train-wreck deliveries.”

“I bet he won’t have to twist your arm on that one,” Abby said.