I’ll be there, Eric had texted back. Before he knew—before I knew—I was pregnant. Could my news wait until March?

“I thought I’d ask him here,” I said.

Trey grinned, a sharp, feral grin. “Good.”

“You have to be nice,” I warned.

“No, I don’t. Not if he’s taking you away from us.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re having a welcome-home dinner for Mom,” I said, changing the subject. “Next Sunday. You’re invited.”

“Great.”

“And your grandfather, too.”

“If you’re feeding him, he’ll come. Thanks, Jo,” Trey said quietly. His dark eyes met mine. “Still friends, then?”

“Always.” I leaned my head against his shoulder. “You will always be in my life,” I promised.

I only wished I could say the same about Eric. We were expecting a baby together. Well, I was expecting. Eric didn’t have a clue what was about to hit him. I could take care of myself. And our child, too. But I had to tell him.

Soon.

CHAPTER 28

Endings and Beginnings

Like birds returning to the nest, my sisters had come home.

First Amy, her suitcase bursting with fabric samples and knockoff scarves from New York. Then Beth from Nashville, toting her guitar. And finally Meg, bustling in the back door, bringing the twins and two pies.

“Lot of fuss,” our mother said, taking them from her. “Not that I don’t appreciate it.”

“No fuss,” Meg said. “They’re from Connie’s.”

I looked at the perfectly finished crusts. “Store-bought? Good for you.”

Meg smiled. Shrugged. There was an ease, a confidence, in her that wasn’t there before. As if she’d found her balance with work, with John, with everything.

“I was working last night. No reason to be a hero, John says.”

I grinned back at her. “Or a martyr.”

The kitchen filled with women’s voices. I sat at the table with DJ on my lap, breathing in his little-boy smell and the golden scent of onions sautéing in butter.

“It’s so wonderful to all be together!” Beth said.

Not quite all. Daddy wasn’t here.

The words lingered unspoken on the air.

“Actually.” Our mother cleared her throat. “I’m expecting a few more for dinner.”

“John will be here as soon as he gets off work,” Meg said. “After he takes the dog out. Four o’clock, he said.”

My phone chirped from my pocket. “That’s what I told Trey,” I said.

“Your father will be here at five,” Mom said. “He’s coming with Aunt Phee.”

Amy looked up from the centerpiece she was constructing of milkweed pods and magnolia leaves. “You invited Dad?”

“This is a family dinner,” our mother said evenly. “He is still part of this family, girls.”

Beth slipped her arm around our mother’s waist. “Do you miss him very much?”

“I’ve been missing your father most of my life,” she said dryly. “Could be he’s missing me, too. At least now when I call him, he shows up.”

Another chirp from my phone.

“Should you get that?” Meg asked.

“It’s just a blog comment.” I shifted my weight to one hip, holding on to DJ, reaching for my pocket.