Her tears dried as she reveled, caressing Justin’s cheek before turning in the dance to kiss Ransome and Val. Nothing had ever felt more right. She caught a glimpse of their kids across the way and watched as Noah leaned toward Justine and said something to her. She blushed and nodded at him and Charity smiled as he led her daughter onto the dance floor.
Justin chuckled and she looked up just as he jabbed two fingers toward his eyes and then at Noah in a “my eyes are on you, boy” gesture meant to intimidate. Noah nodded and grinned and Justine rolled her eyes and gave her dad “the look.”
“Enjoying yourself, Papa Bear?” Charity asked as she turned his attention back to her with her fingers on his jaw.
“Damn straight. I have only one daughter and gotta get my jollies while I can. I wonder if that boy knows how much she missed him the last month.”
“I’ll bet he missed her just as much,” she said as she turned into Ransome’s embrace for the last chorus. She started giggling when the next song, “Come As You Are” by Nirvana, began to play. She turned to look over at Grace and called, “Nice segue, sis!”
Grace bit her lip and raised her eyebrows with a knowing grin as she called, “Somehow I had a feeling the three of you might enjoy this one.” She lifted her one hand to Ethan’s shoulder and did her best to grind a little with him, despite her pregnant belly. She was due any day but she still looked gorgeous in her turquoise dress.
They were finishing up eating supper out on the back lawn a little while later when Presley Ann approached, looking ready to leave. Charity got up from her chair and gave Presley Ann a long hug, happy to see that she seemed to be hanging in there and was now in her second trimester of pregnancy.
“I just wanted say congratulations and tell you good night. Leah also wanted me to pass on her congratulations to you since she wasn’t able to come.”
“Oh, how is she doing?”
“She’s fine.” The shadow that entered Presley Ann’s eyes told Charity there was more to that story but she didn’t want to make Presley Ann uncomfortable by asking. Going by the last time she’d seen Leah at Stigall’s, the real answer to that question had to be “not well.” Always perky and energetic in the past, Leah had clearly been struggling since Patterson Elder’s death in April.
“I’ll stop by the store with Grace some time and try to take her to lunch.”
Presley Ann brightened a little at the idea. “I hope you do that. You two ladies have a way of making people see the best in otherwise hopeless situations. I did hear about one good thing that came from what happened to Patterson.”
“What’s that?”
“He was an organ and tissue donor. They were able to harvest all of his vital organs, as well as his corneas, skin and bone for grafts, and his blood. He saved the lives of seven people, and thanks to him someone out there can see now.” When Presley Ann smiled, her eyes glowed. “I’d much rather he was still around, exasperating my sister, but that he could do that…well…it’s pretty wonderful, too.”
Feeling emotional again, Charity nodded. “I agree. Tell Leah she was missed today.”
“I will. Take care.”
Lydia nudged Charity a little while later, catching her as she was about to have another dance with Val. “Charity, something’s up with Grace.”
“What do you mean?” Charity asked, scanning the room, looking for her sister. She’d been concerned about her overdoing it all week.
Lydia pointed at Grace where she stood, talking with Ethan in the corner. “I’m almost afraid to say, but I think maybe…” Grace’s hand was pressed at her lower back and Ethan had a look of concern on his face that was mirrored by Adam and Jack as they joined her, with Rose Marie in tow. “I was standing with her earlier and I swear she was breathing through a contraction, trying to pretend like nothing was going on.”
“That little faker. I asked her earlier if she was okay and she said she was tired but otherwise everything was fine.”
Val returned to her and said, “Hey, I lost my dance partner. You okay, baby?”
“Yes, I’m fine, but your sister-in-law…” As Charity watched, Grace put a hand on Ethan’s shoulder and nodded as she obviously breathed through a contraction. Ethan, Jack, and Adam conferred and then Jack hurried away. Grace turned her head and found Charity watching her. Her face fell and she mouthed, “I’m sorry,” from across the room.
“She’s in labor, huh?” Val asked softly.
“I think so. I’ll be right back.”