Page 83 of Theirs to Treasure

“They have to prove themselves to me.” Becca said as she crossed her arms.

Give me strength.

“Becca, I think you have that wrong. They needed to prove themselves to me, Honey.” Josie kept her voice warm and loving.

“We’ll see,” Becca said.

“Josie, nothing’s changed. She’s still a stubborn wench.” Sarah laughed.

“So I see.”

Country music filled the car for the next few miles.

Finally, Sarah started commenting on the scenery and Becca asked about the town and what kinds of activities were available to them. Josie told them that they might want to take the ferry over to Snoqualt on Friday, but that Saturday’s festival and dance should be a lot of fun. She took them straight to Sweet Dreams Desserts, where she introduced them to Elise and Rob. Bill had already gone home for the day. Then they trooped up to the apartment, stored their belongings, and the two girls squabbled over who would get the bed and who would get the couch, finally deciding the matter with a game of rock, paper, scissors.

When the girls were both in the small living room, Josie looked them over and said, “Let’s get you fed. I think the best food in town is at Hart’s Diner. The fact that they serve my baked goods might make me a little biased.” Josie led the girls down the block to the diner, where Tammy set them up in one of the larger booths.

“Lola will be with you in a few moments, she’s back there arguing with Dale and Jace.” Tammy laughed and handed out the menus. “She’ll tell you about the specials. In the meantime, what can I get you to drink?”

Josie looked at her sisters. They nodded and she requested three sweet teas. “I thought you said this was a small town,” Becca whispered. “Did everybody decide to eat out today?”

Josie laughed as she looked around. “It’s always packed at lunchtime.”

“Why’d we get such a large booth?” Sarah asked.

“Well, Lola will probably sit down with us for a while, so Tammy gave us an upgrade. You’ll really like Lola. She’s one of the first friends I made here. She’s so bubbly and friendly, you can’t help but love her.”

There was a loud crash in the kitchen, and then the door slammed open. “How dare you, Jace Hart? I expect that kind of thing from Dale, but how dare you treat me like that!” A blonde virago stomped out into the middle of the restaurant and looked wildly around until her eyes clamped on Josie. Then she burst into tears, running straight for her booth.

“Josie,” she wailed. Becca and Sarah glanced around in stunned wonder as her sister rushed toward the woman and hugged her, immediately settling her into the booth.

“It’s okay, Honey. Just tell me what’s wrong. What did Jace do?” Lola grabbed a handful of napkins out of the holder.

“He said…he said…he…” And she started to cry again. Josie just hugged her and rocked her. Finally, Lola settled herself and was able to start again. “Jace said that the tray I was carrying was too heavy,” she wailed.

Josie saw her sisters look at the crying woman, dumbfounded. “Did he say anything else?” Josie coaxed.

“He didn’t want me to come to work today. He was worried about me.”

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you, sweetie?” Josie asked as Lola blew her nose. Lola nodded and gave a wide but soggy smile.

“Yes, and we’re all so happy. I knew Dale would lose his mind and be crazy, but not Jace. Jace was supposed to be the sane one. I’ve been having morning sickness, so Jace thought I shouldn’t come to work today, and then he thought the tray I was carrying was too–too–heavy.” And Lola dissolved into tears again.

As Josie enveloped Lola into another hug, Jace and Dale rushed out of the kitchen.

“Sweetheart, Jace is an idiot. Don’t cry.” Dale slid into the booth beside Lola and tenderly pulled her out of Josie’s arms. Jace stood over the booth and glared down at his brother.

“Dale, she needs to be home, she was sick this morning.”

“The doctor said that was normal for a pregnant woman, you big oaf,” Lola shouted up at her husband. Becca and Sarah heard a couple of chuckles around the restaurant.

“You’re carrying our baby, and don’t let Dale fool you. He’s as concerned as I am, he just doesn’t want to sleep on the couch,” Jace grumped.

“And he won’t, because he’s not driving me crazy!” Lola yelled.

Josie and others in the restaurant laughed outright at Jace’s outraged expression.

“Why don’t you have some ginger ale, talk to Josie a while, and then get back to work. Okay, sweetheart?” Dale suggested.