“What’s not fair?”

“Your dad told me he was looking forward to walking you down the aisle. And Tracey’s all excited about being your flower girl. Not only that, your bridesmaids already ordered their dresses.”

“I know.” Lisa looked worried. “Herb and I talked about that and we decided we’d pay everybody back. It’s the right thing to do.”

“No, it’s not.”

“It’s not?”

Hannah shook her head. “Nobody would take your money, and that’s not the point anyway. Everybody’s looking forward to seeing you marry Herb. Why don’t you just postpone the wedding until the middle of February?”

“I always wanted to get married on Valentine’s Day,” Lisa sounded wistful, “but it’s impossible, Hannah. I want to be with Dad while he’s going through the clinical trials, and I won’t have time to make all the arrangements.”

“No problem. Just ask Andrea to do everything for you. She loves to plan weddings.”

“But she’ll be busy with the new baby.”

“No, she won’t. She told me she hired Grandma McCann to come in during the week, just like she did when Tracey was born, and Al gave her three months maternity leave. Andrea’s bored, you’ll be doing her a favor.”

“Do you think so?” Lisa’s smile was pure golden.

“I think so.”

“It would be just wonderful if all we had to do was show up for the ceremony. That’s my idea of a perfect wedding. But … are you sure Andrea would be willing take on a big job like that?”

“Wild horses couldn’t stop her,” Hannah said. “I’ll call her just as soon as we’re through here.”

“Is Andrea coming to the party tonight?”

“I hope so. She’s got an appointment with Doc Knight this morning and she’s going to try to talk him into letting her go.”

“I’ve got my fingers crossed for her. She’s probably going stir-crazy at home with her feet up on pillows. I want to work right up until they rush me off to the delivery room.”

Hannah turned to give Lisa a sharp look. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“Of course not! Herb and I aren’t even married yet.”

“Marriage isn’t always a prerequisite for parenthood.”

“Maybe not for some people, but it is for me,” Lisa said. “I’ll get that cake and see if the Jell-O’s set.”

Hannah kicked herself mentally as Lisa ducked into the walk-in cooler to retrieve the cake. It was clear that she’d stepped over the line into an area Lisa didn’t want to discuss, and this was her partner’s way of changing the subject.

“The Jell-O’s set,” Lisa announced, carrying the cake to the workstation. “Do you want me to finish making it for you?”

“That would be great. The recipe’s on the counter.”

Lisa set down the cake and glanced through the recipe. “This sounds really good.”

“It is. Andrea always makes it for Tracey’s birthday. It’s the one time of year she uses her oven.”

“It must be strange having a sister who doesn’t cook.”