Read Just Beginning: A Prequel to Just Destiny (Destiny #1) Page 46
Even the best-made plans were subject to the whims of fate, and Jenny Harrison believed in embracing Lady Destiny’s cues. She grabbed her list and the gallon-size baggie of cookies, whistled for Ritz and rushed through the hedge separating the driveway from their neighbor’s. With the golden retriever prancing at her heels, she breezed through Steve’s back door, calling out, “Hey, Grant?”
“Kitchen.” Steve, with his maroon silk tie tucked into his white dress shirt, leaned over his sink and bit a pickle. He saluted her with the dill. “Lunch?”
“No, thanks, we’ll catch something on the road. Save room; I made your favorite, pecan chocolate chip.” She held up the cookies.
Steve took the bag. “Mmmm. They’re still warm. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did. We really appreciate your taking care of Ritz and the house. With the trial ramping up, I know you’re crazy busy.”
“No problem.” He polished off the pickle and pulled the cookie bag open.
The sweet scent of fresh-baked cookie and warm chocolate commingled with the acetous pickle smell. Jenny winced. Gross. Shaking her head, she laid down the list. “Here’s the number of the Saugatuck Inn—in case of an emergency—though we’ll both have our cells.” She frowned and craned her neck to read the upside down list. “And... you have a key to the house. We won’t set the alarm. There should be plenty of dog food in the garage, and I stopped the newspapers.” She looked up. “Questions?”
“Jen, you’ll only be gone three and a half days.” Then at her steady look, he sighed. “Got it.”
Jenny reached for her back pocket and fingered the bulky line there, thinking. She couldn’t wait to share her good news. Ordinarily she’d want it to be Gabe, but under the circumstances, maybe a test run on Steve might be good.
“What?” He raised his eyebrows and polished off the cookie. “Out with it. You look like the cat who swallowed the canary and got her cream too.”
Jenny smiled, whipped the plastic stick from her back pocket and waved it around. “I’m pregnant.”
“You’re...?” His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “That’s great. Right? Is it great?”
She nodded and smiled. “It’s amazing.”
“Pregnant? Wow. What’d Gabe say?”
“He doesn’t know. I just found out myself. I’m going to tell him this weekend.” She grinned a wide silly, grin, then bit her lower lip. “I’m going to have a baby.”
“Congratulations, kid. You’re gonna be a great mom.”
“Thanks.” Jenny smiled, still a little shocked. She fingered the stick, staring at the blue line, then slipped it back in her pocket. That wasn’t so bad. In just a few minutes Steve had lost that stunned look. It’d be fine. Everything would be fine.