Iris chuckled. “Of course she is. You have to feel a little sorry for her. After raising eleven kids for all these years, now she doesn’t have enough to do. She’s taken to matchmaking.”
“We really need to nip that in the bud.” She glanced over at her sister significantly. “What she needs in her life is a new kid to fuss over. Like, say, a grandchild.”
Iris dropped her gaze and began to trace the handle of her coffee mug. “I’m not ready to tell her yet. If anything goes wrong…”
Marguerite reached out and put her hand over her sister’s. “If anything goes wrong, who would you want by your side more than Daphne Chance?”
Her sister drew in a quick breath. “I’m so scared. Do you have any idea what it’s like to want something so much that the idea of getting it is almost too frightening? Like you somehow don’t deserve it?”
She said, “I’ve never been the one that people come to for advice. That’s always been you. There’s something about you that makes people want to unburden all their problems and put them on your shoulders. And there’s something in you that makes you a really good listener and somebody who gives very good advice. So, I want to try something. I want you to imagine that I’m the one in your position. What advice would you give me?”
But Iris didn’t look wise or calm or at all like a person who had all the answers. She shook her head quickly. “I can’t see straight. I think it’s the pregnancy hormones. My emotions are a mess, I want to sleep all the time, and if I even think about green beans I start to feel sick.”
Marguerite couldn’t stop the spurt of laughter. “Green beans? Are you serious?”
“As serious as morning sickness.” Iris put a hand over her eyes. “Please, don’t even say those words.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“This is going to sound so weird, but I feel like I’m not ready. I’m panicking all the time. Dosana is really busy with the other bakery, and the only other help I have is some kids from the high school who work part-time. Geoff will be able to help next summer, but it’s a long time until next summer. I can’t do it all. I need a bakery assistant, but I’ve put the word out quietly and I’m getting nothing back.”
“Okay, let’s take this one step at a time. I think Mom could use a little more in her life. What about asking her to help out?”
“Then I’ll have to tell her why. And I’m not ready.”
The conversation she’d had with Geoff yesterday morning was still very fresh in her mind. She had a feeling that Iris was in her stubborn mood where she didn’t want to lean on anyone, not even the people closest to her. So she said, quite bluntly, “Why not?”
“I can’t even explain it. After I get my scan maybe if I can see that there really is a little baby inside me it will make me feel like this is more real. Mom said Rose is coming down for the Fall Fair. I’m going to tell her, and get her advice on what I should do about running the bakery café and staying healthy.”
“That’s a really good idea, Rose deals with crazy pregnant ladies all the time. Plus, she’s your sister and she loves you. I’m sorry if I’ve been too pushy.”
“No. You haven’t. I’m not myself.”
“Is Geoff going with you to the scan?”
“Are you kidding me? I’d have to hire thugs to keep that man away.”
“That’s good. It must be really nice to have the man you love at your side while you go through this.”
She nodded and closed her eyes briefly. “I’m being really hard on him right now too. I don’t want to be. I just can’t seem to help it.”
Marguerite stood up. Maybe Iris needed some time to work out why she was refusing to ask for help from the people who loved her most. “Thanks for the coffee, Iris. I should get going. I have to rush back home to see if any more exciting dates are waiting for me.”
The shadows in Iris’s eyes disappeared as they began to dance. “All I can say is, the dates can only get better from here.”
“I hope you’re right.”
