CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

On time as usual, Jake turned onto Chestnut Street at six o’clock sharp. All day long, he’d been anticipating tonight’s date with Didi. Falling so far so fast wasn’t like him at all, and it was unsettling. At the same time, it had been ages since he looked forward to getting up in the morning, and it was entirely due to Deidre Claire O’Brien.

He’d loved Victoria, and he would have been a good husband to her. She’d been so fragile, so easily bruised by life, and he’d done his best to keep her safe and free from harm. But he’d also wanted to help her grow and become more self-reliant. In the three years they’d been together, a change occurred in her for the better, and he was grateful for that. She’d come out of her cocoon before she died and seemed to enjoy life. At least, he’d thought so. But their love had lacked passion. Something was always missing between them. Theirs had been a gentle, affectionate love—a love that had meandered and grown little by little.

Never in his not quite thirty-one years had he been drawn to a woman so quickly, and his eagerness to be with Didi fascinated and mystified him at the same time. She was nothing like Victoria. She was feminine, but she wasn’t prissy. There was a certain joie de vivre surrounding her that lit up a room—an irrepressible sense of fun that planted a smile on his face. Depth and lightheartedness, a mesmerizing combination. Somehow, in a few short weeks, she’d wedged her way into his heart.

Didi met him out on the deck, extra cute in dark jeans and a baby-blue sweater. He couldn’t help himself. He wrapped her in a full-sized hug and inhaled the scent of her hair. Lily of the valley. Intoxicating.

“That’s a lovely greeting. Do you stroll up to every girl you meet and give them a big hug?” Didi’s nose wrinkled ever so slightly.

“Not every girl. Only the cute ones. What’s in the box?”

“You mentioned we were supposed to bring snacks and a dessert, right?

“Uh-huh. Dare I ask if you made something yummy?” Jake caught another whisper of perfume and stepped back with reluctance.

“I hope it’s good. I had an exhausting day, and when I got home from Suzy’s, I needed to do something constructive. I made a German chocolate cake.”

They trooped to his SUV, and he opened her door. “So when you’re troubled, you bake? As much as I like baked goods, I hate to think of you having a bad day.”

“Usually when I’m down, I read, or write, or brush Miss Maisie—takes a while to get some of those tangles out—but today, I needed chocolate.” She fastened her seat belt and sat back. “Do you ever have one of those days?”

Did he have days when he needed chocolate? He should buy stock in Hershey. “Didi, there have been many days when I’ve lived on candy and caffeine. Do you want to tell me why you’re upset? I’m a good listener.” He revved the SUV and backed out of the driveway.

“I do, but how about we table anything serious until later?”

“Works for me.” Jake breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He could do serious, but he liked to work up to it.

They made a quick stop at a grocery store, picked up chips and salsa, and drove to Drew and Donna’s house. Since Jake’s last visit, Drew had painted the shutters and the front door of the tiny townhouse. His goofy friend had been working hard to spruce things up before the baby’s imminent arrival.

A very pregnant Donna greeted them at the door and smothered them each in an awkward hug. “Welcome to our humble home. Didi, it’s very nice to meet you.”

Jake slung an arm around Didi and grinned. “Yes, this is the lovely Didi. We come bearing gifts. Homemade chocolate cake a la Didi, and you’re lucky I didn’t eat it in the SUV. Where’s Drew?” Jake eased past Donna and carried the food out to the kitchen.

“He’s upstairs in the nursery doing his best to cobble the second crib together. He’s hoping you’ll go up and help. I believe his exact words were, ‘When Jake gets here, tell him to get his butt up here pronto.’”

Jake opened his mouth in astonishment. “Excuse me, but did you say you have two cribs?”

“Big news. We found out yesterday we’re having twins. It seems baby number two has been cleverly hiding behind baby number one. You would have thought a sonogram would have picked him up, but he’s a sly little fellow. Drew’s psyched at the idea of twins. I’m still in shock.”

Jake beamed at both ladies. Twins. Lucky Drew. Jake had always wanted twins someday. “Wow, Donna. Congrats to both of you.” He patted her shoulder fondly and stared in wonder at her expanding belly.

Donna laughed. “Yes, you can touch my tummy if you want. I think at least one of them is going to grow up to be a field goal kicker.”

“Me, too?” Didi wore a hopeful smile.

Donna took her hand and guided it to the right side. “You, too. That bulge you feel is somebody’s foot.”

“I hate to break up this touching scene, but I could use some help up here,” said a voice from the top of the stairs. “Hi, Didi. Nice to meet you.”

“We just heard the big news.” Didi raised her voice to the man upstairs. “How wonderful!”

“The good Lord is generous. Yell when dinner’s ready, okay, Hon?” Drew turned on his heel and tramped back toward the nursery. “I have man’s work to do.” He postured as he swaggered away.

Jake lifted a brow and touched Donna’s shoulder. “Donna, do you need any help? Your Neanderthal of a husband can wait.”

“I’m sure your girlfriend won’t mind pitching in, right, Didi? Besides, I’m nearly done with dinner.” Donna tossed him a mammoth grin and turned back toward the kitchen.

His girlfriend? That sounded perfect. His girlfriend. Jake glanced over at Didi and caught her eye. She angled her head as a tiny smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Yes, I’m sure you and my girlfriend have things well in hand.” Jake curved an arm around Didi’s shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead. As he gently pushed her toward the kitchen, he added, “Call if you need any help.”

How could such a simple word make him as happy as a cat in a tuna fish cannery? Turning, he whistled as he bounded up the stairs.

* * *

“What can I do?” Didi followed as Donna toddled into the kitchen.

Donna plunked heavily onto a wooden kitchen chair. An anxious look crossed her face. “Thanks, Didi. If you don’t mind, I think I could use some help. There’s a chicken potpie cooking in the oven that needs another ten minutes and Italian bread on the counter waiting to be sliced. I was also going to make a green salad, and everything you need is in the refrigerator.” The chair creaked as Donna groaned and fidgeted to get comfortable. “I hate to invite you over and then put you to work. Pretty poor hostess, huh?”

“I’m happy to help. You have only to point and direct.” Didi winced as Donna’s mouth twisted in pain. “But are you sure it wouldn’t be better if we did this another night? I don’t want to sound rude, but you’re looking green around the gills.”

“No, please don’t go. It’s good for Drew to have Jake here. My dear husband’s been driving me crazy all day. He’s been following me around like a puppy, and I finally got him upstairs to work on the crib a few minutes before you guys came. He may act like a caveman in front of our friends, but he’s just a big teddy bear.”

Didi smiled at the mental image of Drew as a five-and-a-half-foot stuffed animal. “Do you want to lie down for a few minutes while I get everything ready? I think I can handle finishing up.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Donna sent her a grateful smile and wiggled forward, pushing against the seat of the chair. “This is awfully embarrassing, but could you help me get up? The boys are still kicking up a fuss, and my back is killing me.”

Didi hurried over to help. “Boys? You know for sure they’re both boys? How exciting. When are you due?” After hoisting Donna out of the chair, they moved toward the couch in the family room.

“Yep, twin boys. The little rug rats are due to make their appearance four weeks from yesterday. And if they’re anything like Drew, they’re going to be hellions.” Donna settled down on the sofa, propped her feet up, and turned on her left side, resting her head on a pillow. “Last week, after great deliberation, we decided on a name, and today we picked out a second one. Baby number one is Jonathan Andrew—for Drew, of course. And baby number two is Christopher Jacob. Don’t tell Jake yet, though. We want to surprise him.”

“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.” Didi grinned at her new friend. “You take it easy now, and I’ll take care of the food.”

“Thanks, Didi. My body’s been doing strange things all day. If I could rest a few minutes, I think I’ll be fine.” Donna heaved a huge sigh and closed her eyes.

Didi turned down one of the lamps and tiptoed back to the kitchen. The chicken potpie could use another few minutes to brown. The fresh bread smelled divine. Slicing half of the loaf, she arranged the slices on a china plate from the cupboard. She found butter in the door of the fridge and veggies in the crisper. Next, she sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red and green peppers, added them to a bowl of lettuce, and set them on the table. In the other room, Donna snored like a grizzly bear in January. The poor woman must be exhausted. Carrying around two precious babies couldn’t be easy.

With dinner almost ready, Didi turned off the stove and headed toward the stairs. She’d talk to the men, and they’d all decide if she and Jake should make a quiet exit.

As Didi mounted the first step, a loud crash boomed in the family room.

“Jake, Drew! Donna needs help,” Didi cried as she ran back down the hall.

Donna’s moans rang out even before Didi could turn the corner into the family room. Skittering to a stop at the edge of the room, she flipped on a bright light from the kitchen. Donna lay on her back on the floor, with an overturned coffee table next to her. Didi ran over to assess the damage and gently eased a cushion under Donna’s head.

Sitting down on the rug, Didi smoothed Donna’s hair from her face. “Does anything hurt?”

Donna drew a jagged breath and croaked out, “My left side feels like I’m being knifed, but the worst thing is my water broke. I’m leaking. I tried to get up…but I’m so dizzy.” She tried to roll over and get her legs under her but failed.

“Donna! Oh, honey, are you all right?” Drew ran into the room and fell to his knees. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he cradled his wife in his arms.

Donna groaned again then passed out, her eyes rolling back in her head.

Didi’s blood ran cold. “We need to call 911. Her water broke. The twins are coming, ready or not.”