They were back in the Catskills for a long weekend, gathered around the stone patio out back, with the sweeping staircase leading down to the pool and with the mountains sprawled along the horizon. It was a beautiful summer afternoon. They had spent the morning on the Youngs’ sailboat, and now a bottle of sauvignon blanc stood in the middle of the table and each of their glasses were full.

Victoria took a sip of wine. Tessa spun her wineglass but hadn’t tasted it yet.

“I saw the Times reviewed your book,” Victoria said to Cameron. “Impressive review.”

“For once,” Cameron said. “They usually rip me apart. Cardboard characters, thinly plotted storyline, trying but failing to be clever, nothing but a beach read, and on and on. I’ve heard all the insults over the years, but this time they actually liked it. It’s a miracle.”

“How was the tour?” Jasper asked.

“Tiring. But it was great getting out there and meeting the readers, though I’m happy to be home, and looking forward to a less hectic summer. I’ve got to deliver a manuscript in the fall and I plan to use the summer to wrap things up.”

“Victoria, maybe Cameron will let you borrow the hut to get some writing done,” Tessa said, pointing over at Cameron’s writing studio, which sat on the other side of the babbling creek.

At eight hundred square feet, it was a mini replica of the main house.

Cameron shook his head. “Sorry. That’s all mine. No one’s allowed in there beside me and my muse.”

“He’s selfish that way,” Tessa said.

“Not selfish, just superstitious. It’s worked so far and I’m not going to mess with it. Once I cross that bridge, something clicks in my head and I don’t walk back over it until I reach my writing goal for the day.”

“It’s an obnoxious man cave, and I sometimes wonder what goes on in there. But since I’m not allowed inside, I guess I’ll never know.” Tessa waved off her husband and stood from the patio table. “I have cheese and crackers inside.”

“I’ll help you,” Victoria said.

Once inside, Victoria took Tessa by the elbow and led her into the hallway so they were out of view from the patio.

“You’re not drinking,” Victoria said.

“You mean the wine?”

“Yes, Tessa. I mean the wine. You’re not drinking it.”

Tessa shook her head. “I’m just taking it easy. It’s two in the afternoon and I’m exhausted from our sail this morning.”

“You’re pregnant.”

“What?”

“Are you?”

There was a long pause. Finally, Tessa smiled. “I’m not sure. I might be.”

“Oh my God! Why didn’t you tell me?”