Here We Come (Aggie's Inheritance) (97 page)

“Doesn’t
tell
me
much—it’s
just
a
lot
of
white
satin.”

Slowly
she
unzipped
the
bag
farther,
teasing
him
with
more
and
more
white.
The
bottom
of
the
bodice
overlapped
the
skirt
just
enough
to
give
the
illusion
of
a
two
piece
dress
,
and
along
that
edge,
a
narrow
vine
of
embroidery
and
crystals
trailed delicately
.
There,
Luke’s
hand
covered
hers.
“Thanks.”

“You’ve
seen
enough?”

“Can’t
spoil
the
entire
surprise.
It’s
beautiful,
Mibs.”

“It
could
be
gaudy
with
angel
wings
placed—inappropriately
or
something
equally
revolting.”

“Then,”
he
teased
as
he
zipped
the
rest
of
the
bag
and
hung
it
in
the
closet,
“it’s
best
that
I
don’t
see
it
before
I
have
to.”

Though
she
was
tired,
Aggie
settled
into
the
couch,
grabbed
a
pillow,
and
started
talking.
She
told
about
the
dozens
of
dresses
she’d
tried
on,
some
of
the
hideous
ones
Tina
had
described,
and
the
dinner
they’d
shared.
She
described
wedding
cake,
tuxedos,
flowers,
and
frowned
when
she
said
she
didn’t
know
what
they
were
doing
for
invitations.
“We
mentioned
that
we
had
to
find
a
place
for
the
reception
so
we
could
order
invites,
but
I
don’t
even
know
where
I’m
going
to
order.”

“Tina
probably
does.
She
seems
to
have
a
good
pulse
on
what’s
happening.”

Something
in
his
tone
concerned
her.
“Do
you
think
I’m
putting
too
much
on
her?”

“Not
at
all.
It
probably
keeps
her
from
going
crazy
while
her
father
is
laid
up.”

“Whew.
I
suddenly
saw
you
upset
that
she
was
doing
—well, almost everything—
and
almost
got
sick.
I
don’t
have
time
to
leisurely
plan
a
wedding.
I
have
kids
to
raise.”

“Well,
and
we’re
doing
it
kind
of
quickly
so
that
also
makes
a
difference.”

“Tina’s
dad
thinks
I’m
pregnant.”

Luke
choked.
“He
what?”

“That’s
what
she
said.
He
said
no
couple
marries
that
fast
unless
she’s
pregnant
,
and
there
you
have
it.”

“That’s
going
to
be
one
overcooked
baby
then.”

“What
baby?”
Exhaustion
was
beginning
to
meddle
with
her
ability
to
follow
ambiguity.

“Even
if
you
get
pregnant
immediately,
it’ll
be
a
good
three
months
late!”

“Funny.
My
mom
is
afraid
I
will
get
pregnant
immediately.
Tina,
on
the
other
hand,
is
hopeful.”

“Hopeful?”

“She’s
convinced
that
I’m
trying
to
outdo
Allie
,
therefore
I’ll
have
to have
triplets
the
first
year.
That
way
she
can
move
back
in
without
a
trace
of
guilt.”

“I
have
wondered
if
twins
are
likely
for
you,
but
triplets?
Can’t
she
just
move
in
because
she
wants
to
help?
Does
it
have
to
be
a
crisis
pregnancy
first?”