Her heart picked up speed. She hadn’t seen David all week. She glanced down at her jeans and long-sleeved shirt. Perhaps if she hurried, she’d have time to freshen up before he arrived.
July made her way through the house and found Mary Karen in the kitchen with a big stack of paper plates in each hand. Her face brightened when she saw July.
“Perfect timing. Which do you prefer?” Mary Karen raised her right hand. “Fuchsia?” She lifted the other. “Or blue-and-yellow striped?”#p#分页标题#e#
July didn’t have to think. “Fuchsia.”
Mary Karen nodded her agreement. “That’s my favorite, too.”
July’s gaze dropped to the infant seat where Adam slept peacefully. “Wow, he’s sure zonked out.”
“Blame it on the twins. They played with him all afternoon.” Mary Karen smiled. “You should have a few minutes before he wakes up. If you help me set the table before everyone gets here, I’ll take care of the drinks.”
July pulled her brows together and took the plates from Mary Karen’s right hand. “I thought Lexi and Kayla weren’t coming until seven.”
“They aren’t.” Mary Karen turned and opened the refrigerator, her words muffled as she stuck her head inside. “I invited David and Travis for pizza at five-thirty. I figured if they were watching the boys for me, I should at least feed them.”
Mary Karen pulled out a jug of milk. “Actually, we’re only providing the drinks. When I mentioned I’d run across this fabulous recipe for a cajun tofu and roasted red pepper pizza, Travis insisted the men supply pizza.” Her lips curved up in a smile and she chuckled. “The man has no sense of adventure.”
July wondered if Mary Karen realized how often she smiled when speaking of Travis. Adam started to fuss but she finished putting down the plates. Then she walked over to the infant seat. She took a deep breath and stared into his tear-filled eyes. “I’m sorry Mommy made you wait.”
He stared at her for a moment then smiled, his arms waving in the air. July exhaled the breath she’d been holding. That hadn’t been too hard.
Earlier in the week she’d apologized to his rattle when she’d dropped it on the floor. Flushed by that success she’d moved on to Henry, the cockapoo. Yesterday she’d bumped into the dog in the hall. He’d licked her hand when she told him she was sorry.
She picked Adam up and cuddled him against her breast. He immediately began to root. July dropped into the nearest chair and unbuttoned her shirt, experiencing a surge of triumph. In seconds Adam was nursing contentedly. What a difference a few weeks made, she thought to herself. When she’d first brought Adam home she’d always gone into her room to feed him. But the atmosphere in the house was so comfortable and accepting, it seemed ridiculous to shut herself off from the others.
July gently stroked her son’s fine dark hair. “I didn’t know Dr. Fisher was into babysitting.”
It was a silly statement that she regretted the moment the words left her mouth. She barely knew the young doctor and certainly had no knowledge of his feelings toward children.
Mary Karen dropped ice into some of the glasses. “He’s just along for the ride. They’re planning on taking the boys to the movie theater downtown. Travis is like a big kid. He’s a sucker for those animated movies.”
“He’s also a good-looking guy,” July said, striving to keep her tone casual. “Don’t you agree?”
Mary Karen confiscated a package of plastic silverware from a drawer and began placing the utensils on the table. Her hair swung forward, hiding her expression. “A lot of women think so.”
“I didn’t ask about other women,” July said pointedly. “I asked if you think so.”
The young mother turned and leaned back on the counter. “What is it you really want to know?”
July smiled. “I’m trying to figure out if you’re interested in him romantically.”
Mary Karen’s eyes widened. She looked at July as if she’d lost her mind. Then she laughed. “I have three little boys under the age of five. Romance is not an option.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Sure it is. You’re young.” July wasn’t sure exactly how old Mary Karen was, but they’d graduated from high school the same year.
The smile faded from Mary Karen’s lips and the eyes that met July’s were suddenly serious. “I don’t feel young. I’ll turn twenty-six in August and I’m already dreading it.”
“Why?”
Mary Karen shrugged.