“I talked to Shane yesterday, and he said you were still feeling poorly. Since I have a couple of days free from court, I wanted to come see my kids. I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s more than okay.” She released him and took his hand. “Come in. What time is it?”

“Almost four.”

“Jeez.” She’d been asleep for three hours! “Did you see Holden?”

“I did,” he said, beaming with delight over his grandson as he had since the day Holden was born. “Owen has him downstairs. They’re ‘working’ at the registration desk.”

“That must be something to see.” Owen was doing both her jobs so she could sleep the day away. Laura sighed, furious at herself and her body for betraying her. With the season about to get under way there was so much to be done, and all she wanted to do was sleep—that was, when she wasn’t puking.

“He’s grown so much in just a couple of weeks. I couldn’t get over it.”

“A lot happens the first year. He’ll be walking before we know it.”

“What’s wrong, Princess? You’re so pale. Are you okay?”

Laura stepped into the tiny kitchen off the sitting room. “Did Owen say anything about what’s been going on?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“He’s a coward,” she said with a small smile for her dad as she poured a cola for him and an ice water for herself.

“Why would you say such an awful thing about your wonderful fiancé?”

“Come sit.” She carried their drinks to the sofa and curled up in the corner with her legs under her.

Frank settled next to her and rolled up the sleeves of his light blue dress shirt. The color brought out the blue of his eyes. “You really ought to invest in some leisure clothes, Dad.”

“What’s wrong with my clothes?” he asked with a teasing grin at the old argument.

“Most people wear jeans and polo shirts when they aren’t working.” She’d bought him plenty of both over the years, to no avail. “You need to learn how to relax a little. I’ve been telling you that forever.”

“I know, I know. I’ll have plenty of time to relax after I retire.” His expression clouded a bit at that, but he forced a smile for her. “What’s got you calling Owen names?”

“We had some interesting news yesterday.”

“Nothing bad, I hope?” After losing his wife to cancer when Laura and Shane were still young, her dad had fretted endlessly about their health and safety.

“Depends on your perspective, I suppose. I’m pregnant.”

To his credit, Frank’s expression never changed. “Well, that’s a surprise.”

“It was for us, too. Best of all? We’re apparently having twins.”

“Oh, my goodness, Laura. Congratulations. I think…”

She laughed and squeezed his arm. “Thank you. I think.”