Page 37 of Operation: Sharp Angel

“Sweetie, it hasn’t been on long. It hasn’t gotten tighter. You’re just not used to it yet,” she said.

“That’s what I told her. She needs to give it more time to get used to it,” the other woman said.

“It has to be tight to keep you safe,” the first woman said. Becca watched her insert two fingers beneath the metal chain. Then she looked up and saw Becca standing in the doorway. “Hello,” she said with a smile, which made her look even more beautiful. “You must be Becca.”

“I am,” she answered, her gaze darting to Angel.

“I’m Michaela. I work here,” the pregnant woman said, taking a step towards Becca with her hand reaching towards her.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Becca said, shaking her hand.

“And this is Rae and her daughter, Lilly,” Angel introduced.

“Hello,” Becca said, glancing their way.

“Hi, how are you?” Rae greeted.

“Good, thank you,” Becca said, a pleasantry. No, she wasn’t good, but she wouldn’t go into any detail. Her gaze landed on Michaela’s belly. “When are you due?”

Michaela caressed over her large baby bump. “Not for three more weeks,” she moaned.

“I doubt you’ll go that long,” Angel said. “I have the earliest date in the baby pool. I have you going next week.”

“That’d be great by me,” Michaela said.

“Will Lambchop be back in town by then?” Rae asked.

“Yes, he’s on his last mission until after she comes. He’ll be assigned to the office beginning Saturday when his team gets back,” Michaela answered.

Becca surmised Lambchop was the baby’s father, Michaela’s husband based on the rock nestled beside the diamond crusted band on the ring finger of her left hand. Becca would be afraid to wear something that cost as much as that set had to have. She watched Rae replace the sock and shoe on the little girl’s foot noticing the diamond solitaire on the ring finger of her left hand.

“Are you coming to get something to eat?” Angel asked. “I was just going to put it away.”

“Yes, if that’s okay,” Becca said.

“Of course, it is,” Angel answered.

“I need to get a plate also,” Michaela said. “Rae, will you and Lilly be joining us?”

“Thanks, but we already ate, and I need to get Miss Lilly home for an afternoon rest time. We don’t officially nap any longer, but we take an afternoon rest. Right sweetie?”

“I don’t nap anymore,” Lilly said. “But Mommy says it’s good for me to lay down and close my eyes for a few minutes.”

“I love to nap,” Michaela said, beaming a grin at Lilly. “I’m going to go back up to my office and lie down after lunch.”

“You are?” Lilly asked with wide eyes, making all the women chuckle.

“Yes, I am,” Michaela confirmed.

“Come on, sweetie, we should go and let these ladies get back to work. Thank you for checking on that, Michaela,” Rae said.

“No problem. Better today than after Stephanie comes and I’m on maternity leave for a few weeks.”

“Months,” Angel corrected her.

“We’ll see,” Michaela said.

“Nice to meet you,” Rae said again to Becca. “See you later, Angel.” Then she ushered Lilly from the room after both Michaela and Angel gave Lilly a hug and said goodbye to them both.

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