Page 48

“Mm. I agree. I wouldn’t trade it, either,” Riley said. “Let’s get your things together and go see Grandma.”

“Ma!” Hope exclaimed.

“There certainly are a lot of those around here. Thank God.”

Pete stood and paced across the waiting room.

“Pete,” Beth called gently.

“I can’t lose her.”

Beth crossed the room and turned Pete to face her. “I don’t believe that will happen. I trust that Marge and the baby will be fine.”

“And if they aren’t? I don’t know how I will help Dale. And Marge? If she loses…”

“Stop,” Beth said. “Stop. Billie told me these are the best doctors you could hope for.”

“Billie wants to make everyone feel better. That’s Billie.”

“Billie loves all of you. I’m sure that’s true. I don’t know her as well as you, but I don’t think she’d try to give you false hope.”

“She was worried. I could hear it when Andi handed her the phone,” Pete said.

“She’s concerned because she cares about all of you. Look at me. No matter what happens, we’ll get through it.”

“You’ve been through enough. Did you see Evan’s face when we got in the car? He’s been through enough, too.”

“Evan adores you. He wants to help, too. And that’s not how this works.” Beth cupped Pete’s face. “Yes. It’s been a tough road for me. I think I’ve turned the corner, andyouare the biggest part of that. Let’s not project the worst. Okay?”

“I wanted this to be a happy time for her,” Pete said. “Marge deserves to be happy.”

“She’s going to hold that baby,” Beth said.

“You believe that, don’t you?”

“I do. We’ve all had enough loss. I think we’ve earned a little joy. I still have faith the universe knows that.”

Pete’s eyes twinkled as he looked at Beth. “You know I love you.”

Beth smiled.

“Bad timing to tell you that, huh?”

“No,” Beth promised, kissing him softly. “There’s never a bad time to say those words. I love you, too.”

“Really?”

Beth giggled. “Really. Now, sit with me. I’ll bet we’ll hear something soon.”

“Beth?”

“Hm?”

“Thank you for being here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

Fallon nearly fell over when she saw everyone at the pub. It seemed like half the town had taken Andi’s suggestion to heart.