Brimstone narrowed his eyes, reading me loud and clear.

“Come along, darling.” He guided Bitsy across the street, talking as he walked. “We need to get you and the baby out of the elements.” He glanced back at me. “A storm’s coming, and I don’t want to be anywhere near it when it hits.”

A rumble of thunder sounded closer this time, and they picked up the pace until they disappeared down the street. The first fat raindrops began to fall, and I hurried inside my house to my apartment upstairs, feeling more alone than ever.

A couple hours later, a knock sounded on my door.

I frowned and looked through the peephole, then burst into tears as I gladly opened the door. Zoe quickly stepped inside, carrying the casserole she’d made me to my kitchen counter, and then giving me a big hug.

“What is wrong with me?” I asked. “All I do is cry…and throw up…and eat.” I inhaled the smell of chicken, cheese, stuffing, and seasonings, my mouth watering instantly.

“It’s called the first trimester, hon.” She patted my back before letting me go. “It’ll get better. I promise.”

I grabbed a couple of plates from my cupboards and some silverware from the drawer. “Thank you for dinner. I know how busy you are with running four kids around, organizing the Labor Day Bash, and planning your wedding.”

“True, but it’s finally summer. School’s out, so we don’t have nearly as many extracurricular activities going on. Not to mention, I’m not alone in this anymore. I have Chaz.” She smiled gently and declined the plate I tried to hand her. “I already ate, but I’ll sit with you while you eat. You don’t have to be alone, either, you know.”

“I am never getting married again.” I shoved a forkful of food into my mouth, still amazed at how hungry I could be after being so sick in the morning.

“I’m not talking marriage necessarily. Just letting someone help you. The girls and I heard about Matt’s proposal.”

“I was just about to text you all before you came over. It’s been a day. That’s for sure.” I refilled my plate and headed to the living room.

Zoe grabbed two bottles of water and followed me. “It sounds it. Twins? That’s incredible, Tiff.” She handed me one bottle as she curled up on the couch.

“Thanks, doll.” I took the bottle from her and drank deeply. I thought about her words. “It is incredible and terrifying!”

“You’re a rockstar. You can do anything.” Zoe studied me. “I take it your talk went well with Matt if he proposed. How romantic.”

“He didn’t ask me to marry him.” I blew out a big breath. “He stated we would get married as if it were a fact. Nothing romantic about it.”

“And you said no,” she said softly.

“Of course, I said no. I have my own money. I don’t need his. I’m all for him having rights and being a part of his children’s lives, but that doesn’t require me marrying another man who doesn’t even love me.”

“How do you know he doesn’t?”

I looked her in the eyes. “Because he barely even knows me.” I thought about that. Did he have an ulterior motive? “There has to be another reason he’s so adamant about marrying me.” I didn’t trust men after all the men in my life had let me down.

“Um, you’re having his babies.” She grinned wide and chuckled. “I think he knows you quite well.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed, then sobered. “He knows me physically, but he has no clue what kind of person I am. He judged me because of my divorce, slept with me anyway, and now he wants to do the right thing by marrying me. I’ll pass, thank you very much.”

“I don’t blame you, but I hope you know you have us.” She rubbed her hands together. “We’re going to be the best aunties to your beautiful babies. They are going to be gorgeous with you and Matt as the parents.”

“Well, there is that.” I laughed, trying to see the bright side to my situation. “Seriously, though. I am grateful to have you girls in my life.”

“Always.” She squeezed my hand. “So, what’s next?”

“I don’t have a clue. I was hoping you would tell me.” I was in way over my head when it came to babies.

“We go shopping for maternity clothes.” Zoe nodded.

My eyes widened with a very real understanding of what was to come. “Oh, no, you mean I actually have to wear the dreaded granny panties?”

“Hey, my undergarments are not granny panties. At least not now. And no, you’ll be wearing maternity panties.”

I groaned. “I don’t see much difference.”

“Hey, trust me, when you get in your last trimester, you’ll appreciate having comfy clothes.”

“Oh, and don’t bother throwing me a baby shower. I’m wealthy and old enough to buy my own things. Besides, no one would come except you girls and my employees. I don’t need that kind of hit to my self-esteem.”

“The town will come around. Look at how they were after Max left me. I thought they would never see me as anything except the ex-fire chief’s wife. No one took me or my business seriously until I won the Labor Day Bash.”

“All I know is they loved my grandmother, and I am most definitely not her.” She was fierce and independent like me, yet traditional like the town.

“They loved her because she spent her money on Mayflower. You’ll figure out what’s important to you and do the same.”

“That’s just it. They didn’t ask me if I wanted to do the same, they just expected me to. That’s the frustrating part. I had already planned to keep Grammy’s investments going because they were important to her, but the least they could do is treat me with respect.”

“How have they disrespected you? Did something happen?”

I walked over to my desk and pulled out a piece of paper. “I got this in the mail today.” I showed her the red H.

Zoe gasped. “Who sent that?”

I shrugged. “There was no name or return address. I have a hunch it was the Rogers sisters.”

“Well, that would explain it. Remember the petition they organized for a lower curfew because of the scandal surrounding Lexi?” Zoe’s daughter had been accused of spreading indecent pictures of herself around, but the rumors weren’t true.

“Yes, but the truth came out in the end, thank goodness, and the curfew didn’t stick.”

“True, but it wouldn’t surprise me if those old biddy hypochondriacs were up to their crazy antics again. That’s just so wrong. Not to mention unfair and not true. They shouldn’t get away with it.” Zoe shook her head. “What are you going to do?”

That seemed to be the question of my life lately. “Beat them at their own game.” I stared at the envelope on the table. “I have an idea. My Grammy always said, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade…with a splash of gin, of course.” I shrugged. “I just have to find my gin.”

Chapter Seven

The Fourth of July dawned sunny with the promise of a warm day. I taught a sensual massage session to a young couple in the morning, and then I headed to the park in the afternoon for the day’s festivities. There was a parade in the morning that ended in the park, followed by food trucks and live music. Half the town had closed shop early because Mayflower took their festivals seriously.

The fireworks would take place over Freedom Lake after it got dark. Harmony and Morticia waved, saving me a spot on a blanket in front of the gazebo. On a blanket next to them were Zoe, her children, and Chaz. I waved and made my way through the crowd until I reached them.

“I’m so hungry.” I sat on a blanket. “I’m seriously always so hungry.”

“Get used to it, babe.” Harmony chuckled. “Have you seen the size of your babies’ father?”