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“Oh, Beth Ann!” Katherine said, holding her heart. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you doing here so early?”

“I thought you wanted us to learn the opening to-do list.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot about that.”

“I’m sorry I scared you,” Beth Ann said with a remorse filled look on her face. “I guess I’m just excited.”

“It’s okay, although I’m starting to think you should’ve followed another career path.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, something stealthy, maybe. You’ve always been pretty good at showing up out of nowhere,” Katherine said. “Maybe something like an international spy.”

“Really? You mean like 007?” Beth Ann lit up. “Wow, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should,” Katherine said over her shoulder, tossing her bag under the counter, then dumped coffee grounds into the filter-lined basket of the brewer. Beth Ann followed, standing on the opposite side of the counter behind her.

“Well, maybe not James Bond, exactly,” Katherine added. “Maybe like a Bond girl. I remember my dad watching the old Sean Connery ones. I was always intrigued by the Bond girls. I remember the feeling of not knowing which side they were on.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, the ones who weren’t what they seem to be. Beautiful and charming, with a hint of mystery. Maybe a little devious.”

“Really?” Beth Ann asked, her smile fading by the minute.

“Why not? You’re pretty enough to be a Bond girl,” Katherine said, pressing the button on the brewer that brought the noisy machine sputtering to life.

“You think of me as a villain?” Beth Ann whispered, her hands starting to tremble.

“What was that?” Katherine asked, turning to see the color drain from Beth Ann’s face as her legs buckled underneath her.“Bethie!” she cried out, rushing to the aid of her friend just before she collapsed. “Oh my gosh, are you alright?”

Beth Ann’s eyelids fluttered, and her skin changed from a pale, sickly shade to stark white. When Katherine turned the stool around, she urged Beth Ann to lean forward and put her head between her knees.

“Take slow, deep breaths,” Katherine advised, rubbing her back. “You’re going to be fine. Just relax and breathe.”

Beth Ann did as Katherine instructed, feeling the sick sensation in her stomach start to subside. After several minutes, she returned to a sitting position.

“Bethie, is there something I should know about?” Katherine asked. “Does Zach know?”

Looking like she might turn green again, Katherine hurried to the other side of the counter for a glass of water and a few packets of saltine crackers.

“Here, eat these. But only sip the water when your mouth gets dry. Don’t take big gulps if you haven’t eaten breakfast and your stomach’s empty.” Katherine reached for a few napkins from the dispenser and wiped beads of sweat from Beth Ann’s forehead. “I went through the same thing when I was pregnant with Addison.”

Instantly, tears filled Beth Ann’s eyes.

“Katherine… there’s something you should know.”

“Oh honey.” Katherine grabbed Beth Ann to hug her. “It must feel good to know your secret’s out.”

“My secret? How did you know? Who told you?”

“Well, you kinda did,” Katherine said. “It’s not hard to figure out what the sudden onset of nausea means in the morning. Besides, a baby bump would’ve been hard to hide in a few months. Of course, it’ll change our new plans, but I’m sure we can work it out. And I can hire someone to cover your maternity leave for as long as you like.”

“Katherine,” Beth Ann stammered, looking even more rattled than before. “I’m not pregnant.”