Page 2 of Trapped
“Gran,” I said, drawing out the ‘a’ while putting my hands on my hips.
“Okay, okay, if I need you, I’ll call.”
I’d swear there were times Gran channeled her inner teenager just to fuck with me. I shook my head, grinned, and kissed her on the cheek before saying goodbye.
Despite feeling like I was running late, I made great time because it never took long to get anywhere in Weatherford. After parking, I rushed through the door to Grannie’s, making the bell ring and drawing attention to myself.
Another perk of being back home, I could have Grannie’s coffee as often as I could afford it. I breathed in, loving the smell of freshly brewed coffee that permeated the place.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said, hugging Emily.
“No worries.” She laughed.
“My God, Em, you’re literally glowing with happiness.” And a nice tan courtesy of her Caribbean cruise honeymoon.
She blushed. “Thanks. Go get a coffee. I’m dying to talk to you.”
That sounded like a perfect plan. I soaked in the kitschy mix of cowboy saloon and coffee house decor, loving how it gave Grannie’s a unique vibe that welcomed locals and tourists alike.
“Thanks, Mary.” Mary was the owner of Grannie’s and Emily’s new mother-in-law.
It occurred to me after I took the first sip of my vanilla latte that I should switch to decaf. But it was too late. One more coffee couldn’t hurt.Can it?
No way. Lots of women drank coffee for weeks before finding out they were pregnant, and their kids were just fine. Besides, I wasn’t ready to explain why I suddenly wanted decaf when I practically mainlined the regular stuff.
“You’re welcome. Are you coming to Craft and Booze tomorrow night?” Mary asked.
“I’ll be there.”
“Can you make a batch of that sangria you brought to the BBQ?” Beth, Mary’s best friend and manager at Grannie’s, asked.
“Of course.” I laughed. “I’ll bring a non-alcoholic version for Meg, too.” I’d made a red, white, and blue sangria for the Fourth of July BBQ this year, and everyone loved it. Well, the girls all did. It was a little on the sweet side for the guys. They preferred beer.
Mary’s eyes sparkled as she thanked me for looking out for her other daughter-in-law, the one who’d give Mary her first grandchild in December.
I didn’t mind making two; it’d be easier to hide the fact that I wasn’t drinking. I might not worry about an occasional cup of caffeinated coffee, but until I took a pregnancy test, I needed to be alcohol-free.
Something else that wasn’t normal for me, so I had to be careful. And make enough of both that no one would notice the virgin sangria draining as fast as the whorish one.
“You okay?” Emily asked, as I slid into the booth opposite hers.
“Yeah, why?”
“You seem frazzled.” She waved her hand in my general direction.
“Yeah, about that. After you tell me your news, I have a confession.”
“Do you want to go first?”
“No, I didn’t rush in here like a freak for nothing. Spill it.”
“I’m pregnant.”
I squealed with joy as I jumped up and ran around to hug her again. The look of bliss on Mary’s face as she hugged Beth told me she already knew but enjoyed celebrating the good news again.
“Oh, Em, this is so exciting. How are you feeling?” I looked down at her still-flat belly. “When are you due? Is Jamie happy? Are you throwing up a lot?” I fired off questions like a game show host on cocaine.
She laughed and pulled away. “I’m fine. Due in late January. And Jamie’s thrilled. He’s already rearranging the spare room.”
