A Baby In The House. Pamela Bauer

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СКАЧАТЬ seniors in high school. Both had thought their mother was unfair, but only Krystal had rebelled against her authority, willing to risk punishment for a chance at romance.

      The strict rules may have been a good parenting tactic in Linda Graham’s eyes, but to Krystal they had only created distance in their mother-daughter relationship. Her love life became a frequent source of conflict between them that continued into her late teens and early twenties.

      It was one of the reasons Krystal had been eager to move out of Fergus Falls. Besides the limited employment opportunities, the town was small enough that it was difficult to keep her personal relationships private. And as long as she lived there, she felt as if her mother was looking over her shoulder into her love life.

      Until she moved into 14 Valentine Place, she’d thought most mothers were probably like hers—critical of whomever their children dated. Then she met Leonie. Even though her landlady was a romance coach, she seldom interfered in her sons’ love lives.

      Leonie rarely gave anyone unsolicited advice, yet she was always there for moral support when it was needed. Not only did she encourage the young women who rented rooms from her to feel free to come to her if they wanted to talk about relationships, she designated the living room in the house as the great room where discussions of men and romance became a regular occurrence. It wasn’t long before Krystal came to regard Leonie as a second mother, only with this mother she could talk about everything and anything.

      At least she had been able to until a few weeks ago. Now that aspect of their relationship had changed. Krystal had made a mistake. A big mistake. And it was one she was reluctant to admit to anyone, and especially to her mother and Leonie.

      Instead she would keep it secret. Not easy for someone who usually blurted out whatever was on her mind. Worried that Leonie would be able to detect that she was keeping something from her, Krystal did her best to avoid seeing her landlady.

      Today, however, was Tuesday, which meant Leonie wouldn’t be at home. She’d be teaching a class on the dos and don’ts of dating at the community center and that meant the only other person in the boardinghouse would be Dena Bailey, since the third-floor apartment was still vacant.

      As she expected, Dena was in the kitchen. When she saw Krystal she said, “Oh good! You’re home. I was hoping I’d see you.” She motioned for Krystal to come sit beside her. “Come join me for a glass of lemonade.”

      Krystal shook her head. “I’ll pass on the lemonade, thanks.” She did go over to the refrigerator, however, to get a bottle of water. When she opened the door, the aroma of the leftover parmesan chicken she’d had the night before nearly caused her to bolt toward the bathroom. She didn’t understand how something could taste so good warm yet smell so bad cold that it made her wish she’d never gone near it.

      But then so many things made her stomach queasy. Like when she was in an elevator and someone stepped in wearing perfume. Or the pungent smell of gasoline at the service station. Or the tiny bit of oatmeal left in Leonie’s bowl each morning.

      Krystal shuddered and willed her stomach to settle itself. When she sat down at the table, she saw Dena had a bridal magazine spread open in front of her.

      “What’s up with that? I thought you and Quinn were going to elope.”

      “I thought we were, too, but then we sat down to make plans and before I knew it, we’d reserved the church and booked the reception hall. It’s amazing what that guy can talk me into.”

      “Must be the power of love,” Krystal remarked, noting the glow on Dena’s cheeks. “So when’s this big day going to happen?”

      “September sixth.” Seeing Krystal’s jaw drop open, she quickly added, “I know, it doesn’t give us much time, but we’ve hired a wedding coordinator who assures us it’s possible. Still, I feel as if I have too much to do.”

      “I would think so. Is there anything I can do to help?”

      “Actually, there is. You could be one of my bridesmaids.”

      The invitation caught Krystal by surprise. “You want me to be in the wedding?”

      Dena nodded and looked at her expectantly, waiting for her response, only Krystal didn’t know what to say. “That is so sweet of you to ask me, but…” She paused, searching for the right words to decline without hurting Dena’s feelings.

      “But I shouldn’t have asked because we haven’t been friends all that long,” Dena finished for her, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Krystal. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”

      Krystal reached for her hand. “You didn’t. I’m honored that you asked me. The fact that you did says a lot about our friendship.”

      “But you still don’t want to do it.”

      “I want to, but…” She hated to bring up the subject, but knew she had no choice. “You know I’m pregnant.”

      Dena gave her a blank look. “Yeah, so what?”

      “So all eyes are supposed to be on you, the bride. By September sixth I’m going to be just far enough along that people will be wondering if I’m having a baby or if I’m just getting fat. You don’t need that kind of distraction at your wedding.”

      “Have you been talking to Maddie? She’s worried about the same thing and I’m going to tell you what I told her. It doesn’t matter if your belly sticks out like a watermelon, which it won’t. I want you to be in my wedding.”

      Maddie Donovan was a dear friend to both of them. Although she’d already married Leonie’s son Dylan and moved to France before Dena had moved into 14 Valentine Place, her friendship with Dena went back to their college days when they’d been roommates. Had it not been for Maddie, Dena wouldn’t have rented her old room at the boardinghouse and she and Krystal wouldn’t have become friends.

      “Is Maddie going to be in the wedding?” Krystal asked.

      “Yes. I convinced her that I had found the perfect dress to cover what she refers to her as her walrus-shaped body, although I can’t imagine Maddie looking anything but gorgeous no matter how much weight she gains.”

      “Are there dresses that can hide pregnant tummies?”

      “Actually, there are.” She thumbed through the magazine until she’d found the page she wanted, then shoved it toward Krystal. “Look at this plum one. See how high the waistline is? It’s perfect for you and Maddie…and my sister-in-law, Lisa, too. She’s going to be my matron of honor, and having had three kids, she also wants to hide her bulges.”

      “Don’t dresses in these magazines take months to order?”

      “Not a problem. Quinn’s sister has a friend who works in a bridal shop and she says she can put a rush on them and get them in time, but I do need to get moving on this, which is why I really need an answer from you…like today.” She gave her an apologetic grin.

      Krystal wanted to say yes. Dena had only lived across the hall from her for six months, yet in that time they’d become good friends. She also liked Dena’s fiancé Quinn, who was the only man Leonie had allowed to live upstairs. A close friend of the family he had become like a brother to Krystal, as well.

      “Would it make it any easier for you to СКАЧАТЬ