Sunset Bridge by Emilie Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

mysterious “we.” For a moment Tracy wondered if she could ignore her and whoever else was out there, but it would be just like her brash friend to come charging into the bathroom to check on her.
    “Just a minute,” she called. She opened the top drawer beside the sink, cleared a little spot for the test strip and the instructions, and set them inside.
    As she washed her hands, she considered taking her time and peeking at the strip in a minute, but she knew Wanda was perfectly capable of pounding on the door if she was in here too long.
    After quickly wiping her hands on a towel, she strode down the hall and saw that “we” included Janya.
    “You must have been in some kind of hurry,” Wanda said, “leaving your door open like that. And aren’t you supposed to be off camping with that man of yours? Just the two of youcozying up in the Everglades with the mosquitoes and gators for another couple of nights?”
    “Got tired of Porta Potties, so I waited until I got home to go, and I really had to.”
    “Really? I saw you come back in Marsh’s truck a little while ago, then leave again.”
    “Okay, so I forgot to go the first time. Good grief, Wanda! Isn’t anything private around here?”
    Wanda lifted an eyebrow. “Something happen out there? You look like something ugly and mean drug you through the—”
    Janya interrupted, always a good idea before Wanda really got started. “We were just worried, since we didn’t expect to see you so soon. And the door…” Her voice trailed off.
    “I’m fine. Really.” Tracy wondered about that, but the answer was still out of reach in a bathroom drawer. “The trip was a lot more grueling than I expected, and we just called it quits a little early, that’s all.”
    “You and Marsh fighting again?”
    “No!” Tracy took a deep breath. “I just needed a quiet night in a comfortable bed. My own bed.” She nodded in emphasis, hoping Wanda would get the point. “I’m worn out.”
    “Well, I wanted you to know Maggie got in okay, and she’s settling in fine. I told her you’d go down and see her once you got home. But there’s no hurry.”
    Janya stepped forward, and Tracy realized she was carrying a plastic bag. “In case you didn’t stop for dinner.”
    Tracy peeked inside and saw her friend had packed containers of the meal she had probably served at home that evening. Without thinking, Tracy lifted a lid to inhale. She was a fan of Indian food and had gratefully enjoyed all Janya’s aromaticnative dishes. But the moment the top came off the container, her stomach turned inside out.
    She could feel herself going pale, the blood draining to her feet. She thrust the bag back into Janya’s arms and took off for the bathroom.
    And not to check the test strip.
    Janya was standing beside her with a wet washcloth when Tracy was finally able to stand again.
    She took the cloth and looked beyond her friend to Wanda, who was lounging in the doorway.
    The older woman held out the test-kit box and shook her head.
    “Did you really need this?” she asked. “I could tell you what’s wrong with you.”
    Tracy was too weak to protest the invasion of privacy.
    “So what’d it say?” Wanda asked.
    “I haven’t had a chance to look. I’ve been entertaining my neighbors.”
    “Well, go ahead and look now. Just to shore up what we already know.”
    Tracy went through the motions. She opened the drawer and stared at the strip. There were two lines where one would have been before she and Marsh began making love two months ago. She shook her head. “Man…”
    She looked up and saw Janya’s expression. “I’m sorry, Janya. I know this moment should belong to you.”
    Janya rested her hand on Tracy’s shoulder. “No one decreed there will be only one baby at Happiness Key. You have taken nothing from me.”
    “I know, but here I am pregnant, without even trying.” Tears filled Tracy’s eyes, and she blinked them away.
    “Well, you must have done something