“You’re pregnant?” David set the bottle of ketchup down on the table with a clatter and his voice boomed across the half-empty dining room. “But how can that be?”
At a small table nearby, half-hidden behind a large plastic tree, Tina Getz pricked up her ears. She’d seen David and Lauren walk in and she’d thought about strolling over to say hello. Instead she’d waited and watched. Now she was glad she had.
Who would have thought they’d have the nerve to hold hands in public? But they must have been doing a lot more than that in private for Lauren to turn up pregnant. Tina couldn’t wait to break the news to Blake and Karen that David’s old girlfriend was pregnant with his baby.
The only one that Tina felt sorry for in this whole sordid mess was Christy. Though she’d been introduced to David’s wife just that one time, Tina could only imagine Christy’s reaction when she found out what her husband had done.
Because it was a given that she’d find out. Tina couldn’t be expected to keep this kind of information quiet, no sirree. By tomorrow night everyone would know what David Warner had been up to, including David’s new bride.
Chapter Fifteen
“Didn’t the baby-sitter tell you I’d called?” Tina brushed past Karen, not waiting for her sister to invite her in. “I stayed up until two waiting to hear from you.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to be awakened in the middle of the night,” Karen said mildly.
“Do you have any coffee?” Tina asked abruptly.
“I just brewed a pot.”
Without another word her sister headed for the kitchen, with Karen trailing after her. Tina made herself at home, grabbing a mug from the cupboard and filling it with coffee.
“You have any cream?” Tina asked.
Karen opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a carton of half-and-half.
“That’ll do.” Tina took it from her hands, added a dollop to her cup and took a big sip.
Karen poured herself a cup and took a seat at the table opposite her sister. “So are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Oh, now you’re interested?” Tina’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “Last night you couldn’t be bothered to pick up the phone.”
Karen took a deep breath and counted to ten. “Like I said, we didn’t get home until after midnight. If you’d said it was urgent, I would have called.”
Tina took a long sip of coffee. “Okay, I guess I forgive you.” Tina pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing one slender leg over the other. Her gaze narrowed. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?”
Karen cinched the belt of her robe tight around her waist and resisted the urge to run her fingers through her disheveled hair. “Maybe because it’s barely six-thirty and we just got up. Blake is still in the shower.”
“I was at the gym at five-thirty,” Tina said.
“Good for you,” Karen said dryly, reaching for the pot of coffee. “Now, about this news of yours—”
“I thought I heard voices.” Blake stood in the doorway, dressed in a navy suit, his hair still slightly damp.
“Tina and I were just gabbing,” Karen said, shooting a glance at her sister. Tina hadn’t said if her news was for Karen’s ears only.
“Actually, I was just telling your wife I have some news.” Tina refilled her coffee cup and smiled at Blake. “News about your cousin, David. I think you’ll find it extremely interesting.”
“Really?” Blake took a seat at the table and signaled for Karen to pour him a cup of coffee. “What is it?”
“David is going to be a daddy.” Tina spoke slowly and deliberately, evenly spacing her words for maximum effect.
“Why, that’s wonderful,” Karen squealed. “I didn’t know he and Christy had been thinking of starting a family just yet, but—”
“Karen,” Tina said sharply. “Will you stop and listen for a minute?”
“By all means, tell us what you know,” Blake said smoothly, taking a steaming mug of coffee from Karen’s hands. “When is this blessed event supposed to occur? And how did you find out about it?”
“I overheard David and Lauren talking at Conroy’s,” Tina said.
“David and Lauren?” Karen stared at her sister. “Don’t you mean David and Christy?”
“No.” Tina’s lips curved up in a Cheshire-cat grin. “I mean Lauren.”
Blake sat up straight in his chair, his gaze riveted to Tina. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“You’re a smart guy, Blake,” Tina cooed. “I knew you’d get it.”
Karen’s gaze shifted from her husband to her sister and a sense of unease coursed up her spine. “Well, I’m glad you two are on the same wavelength, because you’ve lost me.”
Blake’s lips tilted in a slight smile. He lifted his coffee cup and took a sip before answering. “It’s really quite simple, my dear. Lauren is the one having David’s baby, not Christy.”
“Oh, no.” Karen’s hand rose to her throat. Her heart clenched as she imagined what Christy must be feeling.
This was horrible news. Simply horrible. But what Karen didn’t understand was why, if Tina and Blake understood the situation, did they look so pleased?
Christy smiled at Tom. “I’m glad you’re coming to the gala tonight.”
“It’s going to be great.” Tom leaned back in the kitchen chair. “The Post-Dispatch is sending a reporter and a photographer. We should be able to get some good publicity out of it.”
She shot him an exasperated look. “Is business all you think about?”
Tom shrugged. “Yep.”
Christy’s laughter filled the air. “At least you’re honest. What am I going to do with you?”
“Reward me monetarily.” Tom gestured to the stack of speaking engagement requests piled on the table. “Look at all the bookings I’ve brought in. And no need for any special thanks on those European dates.”
Christy wanted to tell him she hadn’t said yes to confirming any of those dates yet, but she didn’t have the heart. He was so pleased with himself.
After the gala, she and David would have time to talk. Then she’d decide what dates to accept. Though she wasn’t particularly interested in doing the dates in France and Germany because of the amount of time she’d be away from home, it might work out if David could wrangle some time off and come with her. Since they’d never gone anywhere after they’d married, this could be a belated honeymoon.
Though she’d never thought of herself as a romantic, lately she’d found herself wishing she’d had a traditional wedding with the walk down the aisle on her father’s arm and with family and friends gathered around to hear their vows. And it would have been nice to have a honeymoon, too.
“So are you ready to sign the contracts now?” Tom said, interrupting her daydream of David slathering suntan lotion on her bare back.
“Give me a few more days to look at the offers,” she said. She raised a hand, effectively stopping his protests. “I’m sure they’ll be fine, but right now I have too much on my mind to give them my full attention.”