Page 4 of One More Chance
“Lauren.”
“The sister that doesn’t exist Lauren?” Megan replied. Megan had never met Lauren and Charlotte didn’t really have much of a reason to discuss her younger sister.
“That’s the one. And guess what? She’s taken on a job in Chance Rapids.”
“Seriously? Doing what?”
“Lauren is a lawyer. She’s been hired by the Nature Conservancy to oppose the expansion of the ski resort.”
“That’ll go over like a lead balloon. There are a lot of people here counting on those jobs.”
“Something about grizzly habitat. Truthfully, I wasn’t really listening.”
“That doesn’t sound like you,” Megan laughed. Charlotte was often distracted by demanding clients, her eyes glued to one of her two phones as she periodically murmured mm-hmm during conversations.
“Guilty.” Charlotte knew that she needed to be a better listener. “I’m working on that. And guess what? You’re not the only one who gets to play mom.”
“What?” Megan squealed. Megan was four months’ pregnant and as far as she knew, the only men in Charlotte’s life were her clients.
“Don’t get too excited. Lauren is going to live at the Sugar Peaks House, and I’m going to look after Tabitha over spring break.”
“You’re going to look after a child? You know that they require food and water, right?”
“I’m going to be the coolest aunt around. You wait and see.”
“But spring break, that’s next week.”
“I know. I’ll be in your neck of the woods soon and we can catch up. Wait! I’ve been rambling. What was the big important news that you had for me?”
“You know what? I think I’d rather wait and tell you in person.”
“Meg! You can’t do that!”
“What’s that?” Megan called to a silent background. “I’ll be right there, Josh.”
“Josh isn’t there.” Charlotte quipped.
“Coming,” Megan yelled again to the silence. “I’ve gotta go, Char. I can’t wait to see you. Bye.”
“Don’t you dare—” Charlotte heard the dial tone. “Hang up on me.” She held her phone out and looked at it as if the brick of technology could provide her with some answers. What could be so important that Megan had to tell her in person? Then it dawned on her. Of course, she leaned back in her chair and smiled, there was going to be a wedding in Chance Rapids. She would bet money on it.
