LITMIR.BIZ

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door opened and Patience, Taryn and Consuelo walked in. Or rather Taryn and Consuelo walked. Patience waddled, with her second child due the first week of January. The three women headed to their table.

      Madeline loved her lunches out with her friends. The number and faces were always changing, but they had friendship in common. Today’s group was eclectic, as always. Patience owned Brew-haha, the local coffee shop in town, Phoebe was a recent transplant from LA who was now a rancher’s wife, Taryn ran a PR firm and Consuelo was an instructor at the bodyguard school.

      Isabel looked at Taryn and shook her head. “I see you’re back to your skinny self. Didn’t you just have a baby last Tuesday?”

      “I had Bryce in July,” the violet-eyed brunette said with a grimace. “And I’ve been sweating in the gym every day for the past four months. I’ve had to lift weights. It’s awful. So you don’t get to be mad at me. I’ve earned my way back into my clothes.”

      Isabel stuck out her tongue and the rest of the women laughed.

      “It feels good to be back to where I was,” Taryn said.

      Destiny rested her hand on her growing belly. “I look forward to it.”

      “Sing it, sister,” Patience said.

      Madeline was sure most women would agree with them, but she had to admit to a little disappointment. It seemed to her that having a baby should be transformative. That you shouldn’t just slip back into your old life. Although she doubted carrying around an extra five or ten pounds was the right way to mark the occasion. She just knew that if she was lucky enough to fall in love and get married and have kids, she wanted the experience to change her.

      Jo came by and took their orders. Conversation flowed easily. Phoebe mentioned hearing from Maya and Del, who were in China. That was followed by everyone admitting they had no idea how the Chinese celebrated the holidays, or if they did at all.

      As people talked, Madeline became aware of Isabel fidgeting in her seat. She leaned close to her business partner.

      “I know I keep asking this, but are you okay?”

      Isabel surprised her by hugging her. “You’re a good person, you know that, right?”

      Madeline studied her. “Are you crying?”

      “What Destiny has is contagious.” Isabel cleared her throat, then sighed. “I have an announcement.”

      The table quieted. Isabel looked at them all. “I’m pregnant.”

      Consuelo frowned. “Did you hit your head? Do you have a concussion? We all know you’re pregnant. If you hadn’t told me, I’d still know. Ford tells me every single day. If I didn’t like you so much, I would kill him because he’s annoying.”

      A statement that from anyone else might be cause for alarm, but was exactly how Consuelo thought and talked.

      Isabel seemed to brace herself. “I didn’t hit my head. It’s just... I had my ultrasound and...” She held up her hand. “I’m fine. I’m doing well. Too well. Because... I’m having triplets.”

      There was a moment of silence followed by loud cheers and calls of congratulations.

      Madeline took in the news. She knew Isabel’s husband, Ford, had triplet sisters, so it wasn’t a complete surprise that she would be having multiples. It was just, well, Madeline had thought they were friends. That working together had brought them closer. Even though she’d asked, Isabel hadn’t told her the news privately.

      Madeline reminded herself that the information was Isabel’s to share and she shouldn’t take the slight personally. It was just—

      “Don’t be mad,” Isabel whispered. “I couldn’t tell you.”

      “Okay,” Madeline said slowly, still not sure why.

      “It’s just... I was scared. I’m going to need you so much and it’s not fair, but without you, I can’t keep the business going.”

      Madeline hugged her. “You’re an idiot.”

      “I know.”

      “Of course I’ll help.”

      “You swear?”

      “Try to get me to stop. I love you.”

      “I love you, too. You’re the best business partner ever.”

      Madeline laughed. “You say that like it’s news.”

      * * *

      While the rest of the country seemed to jump from Halloween to Christmas, in Fool’s Gold the tradition of giving thanks was embraced. Jonny saw gourds and straw baskets, every form of turkey from paper to ceramic. There were harvest garlands and fall-colored bunting and plenty of pilgrims. Hokey but nice.

      He wasn’t sure how the transition to Christmas was going to happen, but it would have to be nearly an overnight thing. There was a town Christmas tree lighting scheduled this coming Saturday, only two days after Thanksgiving.

      He crossed the street and headed into Paper Moon. He could see Madeline up on the dais, with a bride. The young woman was maybe twenty, with brown hair and glasses. She reminded him a little of Ginger, with her earnest expression.

      The dress had a big skirt, like something a Disney princess would wear. It suited her youth, he thought, then held in a grin. Next thing he knew he would be discussing makeup and shoes. Talk about a way to frighten off guy friends. His buddy Shep would sure have something to say about any discussion that girlie. For now, Jonny was safe. Shep was on loan to the search and rescue program in Yosemite and wouldn’t be back until after the holidays.

      A tall, blonde woman walked up to him. She studied him for a second, as if trying to place him. He saw the exact moment she realized who he was. To her credit, she barely blinked.

      “Good afternoon,” she said. “I’m Isabel Hendrix. May I help you?”

      Now it was his turn to be startled. If the woman knew who he was, why didn’t she know why he was here? He glanced from her to Madeline, who was hugging the young bride. The girl stepped off the dais and headed for the dressing room. Madeline followed her down the stairs, then walked over to join them.

      “Hi,” she said. “Did we have an appointment?”

      A polite way of pointing out he was interrupting her workday. She stood up for herself. He liked that.

      “I had a couple of ideas I wanted to talk to you about. When you have a free moment.”

      “Sure. I’ll be about ten minutes, if you want to wait.”

      “Your office?”

      Isabel glanced between them. “You two obviously know what you’re doing. I’ll head back to my side of the store.”

      She gave Madeline a look that clearly stated they would be talking later.

      The promised ten minutes later, Madeline joined him. “How can I help you?” she asked as she settled behind her desk.

      “You didn’t tell her.”

      “What?”

      “Your business partner. You didn’t say you were working with me.”

      She shifted in her seat, then waved a hand. “I didn’t know if I should, so I erred on the side of discretion. This is your private business. I don’t talk about my brides with anyone. Not in any detail. I might ask for opinions on a dress or get suggestions, but what happens here is personal. Planning a wedding falls under the same category.”

      He could appreciate someone who respected privacy. “You can tell your business partner and anyone you’d like that you’re helping me.”

      “Good, because I’ll have to say something what with you showing up here and all.”

      “Should I have worn

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