“Sounds great. I need to get a few things from the shop before I meet you at Honey B.’s. I’ll go grab my toolbox—I left it upstairs.” She stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Hey, do you need help getting the boys in the car?”
“No thanks. I’m a pro.”
A few minutes after Cait left, Meg had the boys strapped in and was on her way to town.
Cait walked into Honey B.’s and into bedlam. Danny, Joey, and little Mitch were playing together…at least it looked like they were playing.
“Hi, Honey B. Hey, Sis. Hi, guys!”
“Cait!” All three toddlers latched on to her legs and started babbling at once.
“So did you tell Meg?”
Honey B. shook her head. “It’s been a little crazy since the boys got here.”
Cait helped her sister get the boys settled again. Once they were playing nicely, she said, “About that bet. Just so you know, the money’s going to a good cause.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
Cait shook her head. “Honey B., why don’t you?”
“Well, it all started when that man stormed into my salon and carted me off on his shoulder.”
Meg sighed. “I still remember the flinty-eyed look and determined set of Mitch’s jaw when he came in loaded for bear.”
“Quaint expression, Sis,” Cait mumbled.
“He was so forceful,” Mrs. Doyle chimed in.
“He swept our Honey B. up like she was a sack of potatoes.”
“It’s true,” Meg chuckled. “Dan and I wished we’d thought to take a picture…the look on her face was priceless.”
“What are friends for if not to humiliate one another?” Honey B. said. “I thought Dan was more forceful than Mitch.”
“Oh really?” Cait asked, looking from Meg to Honey B. and back again. “Do tell.”
“That good-for-nothing Van Orden boy waltzed in like he owned the place, grabbed Meg by the hand, and was all set to kiss her,” Mrs. Hawkins said.
“When Dan stormed in and demanded that Van Orden let her go,” Mrs. Jones added.
“But it was the way Dan kissed Meg that had all of us cheering for him,” Mrs. Doyle said. “He was so obviously in love with you,” she said to Meg. “It did our hearts good to hear him tell Van Orden that he had his chance and blew it.”
“And it was right after you two declared your love for one another that handsome sheriff stormed in and all hell broke loose,” Mrs. Hawkins said with a smile.
“Now the eligible men in Apple Grove will have a higher standard of proposing to live up to,” Mrs. Doyle added.
Meg and Honey B. shared a smile. “Sometimes it takes some doing, but if a man’s in love, he’ll eventually realize it,” Honey B. said.
“And do something about it,” Meg added.
Tears filled Meg’s eyes and Honey B.’s. Meg sniffled and hugged her friend close. “How do you feel?”
“Crappy, how about you?”
“Better,” Meg admitted.
“Maybe that news will sway the betting,” Mrs. Doyle said, moving to stand closer. “Everyone knows that if you feel poorly, but look great, you’re going to have a boy…and if you feel great, but lose your looks, you’re going to have a girl.”
Meg looked at Honey B. “So, if you win, you’ll split the winnings with me?”
Honey B. shook her head. “Sorry, no can do.”
“Why not? I’d share with you,” Meg pouted.
Caitlin put her arm her sister’s shoulder and confided, “We forgot to tell you that whoever picks the woman, the date, and the time can choose who to donate the winnings to.” Meg’s eyes filled with tears again waiting for Cait to continue. “You know how some of our neighbors are in bad shape financially right now.”
“Does Mitch know about it?” Meg asked.
“He does,” Honey B. said quietly. “And he’s all for the idea. He and Dan are the driving force spreading the word and are one hundred percent behind the idea that the winner donate the money to one family, possibly two, depending on how much we collect.”
“Dan didn’t say anything,” Meg rasped.
“He promised he’d let me tell you,” Honey B. said, but your sister already let the cat out of the bag.”
“We’re in this together,” Meg said. “Let’s see if we can rustle up some more donations for the cause.”
Honey B.’s eyes filled with tears. Cait couldn’t remember ever seeing her sister’s friend cry. “What’s the matter now?” she asked, grabbing a paper towel and handing it to Honey B.