LITMIR.BIZ

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a good idea?”

      Damn if the guy wasn’t treating him like some worthless reprobate. “We’ve always had beer on hand before. I’ll only bring a six-pack. That’s two apiece. No one’s going to get drunk on that.”

      “Fine. Only two apiece. That’ll keep us all out of hot water.”

      Maybe for Sam and Chase, but not Matt. He’d been up to his ears in hot water with his wife for weeks. Tonight he planned to relax and forget all about his problems. Forget that Rachel had left him high and dry. Forget that he harbored a four-month-old secret that kept him drowning in guilt. A secret that could destroy everything, especially the woman he loved.

      * * *

      BABIES EVERYWHERE SHE TURNED.

      Even in a wedding salon, Rachel Boyd couldn’t escape the reminders of what she’d lost four months ago. A woman pushing a stroller down the sidewalk had just stopped before the picture window, leaned over and picked up a precious baby girl. The infant appeared to be around the same age Caleb would have been had he lived. But he hadn’t, and each day without him renewed her pain. Every moment without his father had been just as painful.

      This was also the last place to forget her faltering marriage. The small boutique was filled to the max with giddy brides-to-be looking forward to their future. She, on the other hand, had no idea what her future might bring. But for the sake of one of her best friends, she pretended to be enjoying the outing.

      Rachel glanced at the dressing-room door, anxiously awaiting Savannah’s appearance in her newly altered wedding gown. After a few more minutes ticked off, she regarded Jess, her other best friend and former sister-in-law, who seemed to be nodding off in the purple paisley chair. “What is taking her so long?”

      Jess opened her eyes and hid a yawn behind her hand. “I have no idea. I swear it took me less time to plan my whole wedding.”

      Considering Jess had pulled the New Year’s ceremony together in just short of three days, Rachel had to agree. “If she doesn’t come out soon, I’m going in there.”

      Her friend yawned again. “I’m right behind you.”

      She wouldn’t be surprised if Jess fell asleep on the way to see about the bride. “You need to tell your husband to lay off and let you get some rest.”

      Jess grinned. “Why would I do that when I’m married to a gorgeous, sexy guy like Chase? But seriously, my fatigue has a lot to do with the school year ending in less than two months. Try containing twenty-two second graders who have summer vacation on their minds. It’s a good thing I like kids.”

      Rachel liked kids, too. A lot. Yet it didn’t seem to be in the cards for her to have one of her own. As usual, the soul-deep sadness returned, and the nagging tears weren’t far behind.

      Fortunately, Savannah emerged from the dressing room, providing a much-appreciated distraction, and a little nip of envy. Rachel had worn a simple Sunday-best white dress on her wedding day, not a formfitting, satin, halter-style gown with a silver beaded sash at the waist. Funny, that hadn’t mattered way back then, so it certainly shouldn’t matter now. For some reason, it did.

      Savannah stepped in front of the three-way mirror and twisted her blond hair back at her nape. “So what do you two think?”

      Rachel managed a generous smile around the memory barrage of her own simple wedding. “You look dazzling, girlfriend.”

      “Sam is going to have a stroke when he sees you in that,” Jess said. “Guess I better brush up on my CPR skills.”

      Savannah turned and looked over a shoulder to study her reflection, then frowned. “Are you sure it doesn’t make my hips look too wide?”

      Jess rolled her eyes. “What hips? If you want to see a butt, step aside and let me in front of that mirror. We’ll make a comparison.”

      “Enough about butts,” Rachel said. “Are we finished with everything here?” She hadn’t meant to sound so cross, but she truly needed to get away from “wedding central.”

      Jess checked her watch. “It’s almost six and I’m starving. We should have dinner while we’re in Memphis. They have some fantastic restaurants on Beale Street.”

      Rachel only wanted to go home, not wade through the masses out for a good time on a Saturday night. “I’m wearing jeans, which isn’t really appropriate dinner attire. And isn’t your husband expecting you to be back by now?”

      “We’re all wearing jeans,” Jess said. “We don’t have to go to a four-star restaurant, and my husband is on deputy duty until seven, not to mention we haven’t been apart since we married. You know what they say about absence and the heart growing fonder.”

      “Dinner works for me, since I told Sam we might be late,” Savannah added right when someone’s cell began to ring.

      After Rachel and Jess checked their phones, Jess lifted Savannah’s purse from the floor and held it up. “It’s yours. And if that sappy love-song ringtone is any indication, it’s the groom.”

      “It is.” Savannah took the cell from Jess, flipped it open and smiled. “Hey, honey. I was just about to call you…I know, I miss you, too… .”

      Savannah disappeared back into the dressing room to talk to her fiancé, leaving Jess and Rachel alone to wait it out again.

      Rachel wished she’d brought her own car so she could make a speedy exit. Wished she didn’t feel so ready to jump the bridal-party ship. “Let’s hope this conversation doesn’t detain us any longer than necessary.” When Jess didn’t respond, she glanced over to find her looking somewhat pale and slightly alarmed. “Are you okay, Jessica?”

      Jess muttered, “No,” slapped her hand over her mouth and rushed into the nearby ladies’ room.

      Rachel hated that Jess might be coming down with something, but on the other hand, it could mean the evening would be cut short. She truly wasn’t in the right frame of mind to endure a lengthy dinner. And some friend she was—worrying about her own mental condition when Jessica was obviously in distress. Just as she was about to check on her fellow bridesmaid, Jess came out of the restroom looking as jubilant as she’d been most of the afternoon. Her auburn hair, pulled back in a high ponytail, bobbed in time to her peppy gait. The former head cheerleader had returned.

      “Something you ate for lunch?” Rachel asked as soon as Jess reclaimed the seat beside her.

      Jess kept her eyes trained on the row of gowns to their left. “It probably has to do with not eating. My stomach doesn’t like being empty these days.”

      Funny, they’d had lunch less than five hours ago. Rachel could think of only one explanation for her friend’s intestinal distress. “Are you pregnant?”

      Jess still refused to look at her. “What makes you think that?”

      She released a frustrated sigh. “Come on, Jessica. You’ve been yawning all day and now you’re throwing up. All signs point to morning sickness.”

      Jess looked more than a little sheepish when she finally met Rachel’s gaze. “It’s afternoon.”

      “That doesn’t mean a thing. When I was pregnant with Caleb, I hurled morning, noon and sometimes night. So are you or aren’t you?”

      “Hungry?”

      Heavens, this was like passing a bill through Congress. “Pregnant. Knocked up. With child.”

      Jess looked apologetic. “All the above. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner, but I didn’t want to upset you.”

      Rachel had grown weary of being treated with kid gloves, and she certainly expected more from her friends. “My own loss doesn’t mean I can’t be thrilled for you and Chase. I am happy, Jess. Honestly.” She could only hope she sounded sincere. Yes, she was happy for her friends, and slightly jealous. She absolutely

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