Make Mine a Ranger (Special Ops: Homefront Book 4) by Kate Aster Read Free Book Online

frowned. “Won’t happen. All it does
is sleep during the day. But sometimes when we leave the windows open at night
we can hear it first thing in the morning.”
    “Really?” Crossing the room, Bess glanced
out the living room window briefly at the view of the zoo. A prime location in
Washington, DC, Lacey’s Connecticut Avenue address was impressive, and the deal
she had struck with the seller was even better. Her eyes wandered to the new
granite countertop in the kitchen and built-in shelves framing the gas
fireplace. Already, the condo was looking like a showpiece. “I don’t know why
you’d want to sell this place after you’ve put so much work into it. It’s gorgeous
now.”
    “Not quite. But it’s getting there. We
should make a nice profit on it since we got it for such a low price.”
    “You’re sounding more and more like your
sister every day.”
    “I do get to see her more now that we’re
living in the same city. So maybe she’s rubbing off on me.” Lacey laughed. “But
really, it’s time for us to be living in a house, not a condo. Something with a
yard. And good schools.”
    “Schools?” Bess said warily.
    “Yep.” Lacey sent her a smile. “We’ve
decided we want to start trying to have a baby.”
    “Oh, Lacey, that’s wonderful.”
    “I hope so. I really do.”
    Bess’s brow creased. “How could it not
be?”
    “I don’t know. It’s been such a hard
year, you know? We just couldn’t even think about having a newborn around when
Mick was still recovering. But things are as normal as they’re ever going to be
now. I guess it’s time.”
    “Another friend for Abby. With just three
years difference, they’ll probably want to play together at some point.”
    “Four years difference at least,” Lacey
corrected. “I’m not pregnant yet.”
    “Everything changes so quickly, doesn’t
it? Maeve’s a mom now, and you’re headed that way. Vi will probably be next. Can
you just see her bouncing around a baby?”
    Lacey scoffed. “Actually, no. I really
doubt she and Joe will have kids. Vi’s never expressed much interest, and I
think Joe’s on the same page.”
    “I know. But after they get married this
fall, those baby-making hormones might kick in yet. You never know.”
    Lacey smiled, walking into the kitchen. “Did
you pick up your bridesmaid dress yet?”
    Bess nodded glumly, following her in and
pulling out a counter stool. “It’s hanging in my closet, but I haven’t put it
on yet. I hope I didn’t gain weight again.”
    “I hope not too, because Vi will kill
you.”
    Bess noted that there wasn’t much sarcasm
in Lacey’s tone. Vi was so stressed about her upcoming wedding. At first, they
had thought they’d do something small. But when Joe managed to snag the U.S. Naval
Academy Chapel for the service, the guest list started to explode. “It’ll fit. If
I have to sweat off ten pounds of water in a sauna the morning of the wedding,
that’s what I’ll do.”
    “You’ll be fine,” Lacey assured her. “Did
you see her talking on CNN about hedge funds last week? The guy who was
interviewing her actually asked about her wedding. She played it off, but looked
totally annoyed with the guy. I mean, what does her wedding have to do with
hedge funds? There will probably be lots of press there.”
    “So long as they’re taking pictures of Vi
and Joe and not my lard ass in chiffon dress.”
    “Bess, stop talking about yourself like
that,” Lacey scolded as she handed her a Diet Coke. “We’re all sick of it. Is
that how you want Abby to think of you? As a lard ass?”
    Slumping slightly, Bess opened the can.
“I know. And I don’t say those things in front of her. But since becoming a
mom, my weight only seems to move in one direction. Up.”
    “Kids are smart,” Lacey continued. “They
pick up on things. If you started wearing something other than ratty old
t-shirts, maybe you’d feel better about yourself. I mean, Bess, there’s a hole
in that