Part 61 (1/2)

”That's great,” Penny said. ”I'm looking forward to seeing you and Dad.”

”Oh, not just us. Your sisters are coming, too. And the kids. Sean and Jack can't take off, which is too bad.”

”The whole clan,” she said weakly. ”My house is kind of small. Oh, and I have a temporary roommate.”

”Not to worry,” her mother said. ”We have hotel rooms. I'll e-mail you the details. We're really looking forward to this, Penny.”

”Me, too.”

They chatted a few more minutes, then hung up. Naomi sipped from her champagne gla.s.s and grinned. ”h.e.l.l of a time to be pregnant, huh?”

Penny eyed the liquor enviously. ”Tell me about it. My parents are coming, along with my sisters and their kids. They're going to want to see the restaurant.”

”Yes, they are.”

”They're going to poke through my house and want to talk about the future.”

”Parents are like that.”

”They'll worry about me having a baby on my own.”

”Sure.”

Edouard swore in French. ”The back burners are out. All four of them. I cannot work in conditions like this.”

Penny groaned. She couldn't afford to lose half her burners. Not when they were expecting a full house.

”I'll call,” she said as she hurried toward her office. Welcome to her world, she thought. Where it was always insane.

”Then we need to talk about the mushrooms,” Naomi told her. ”They smell funny.”

”THANKS FOR COMING,” Cal said. ”You didn't have to do this.”

”I wanted to,” Penny told him as they walked through the hospital.

He doubted that visiting his daughter would make the top-five list of ways she wanted to spend her day, but he appreciated her willingness to accompany him.

Penny had really been there for him, he thought. Helping him after he'd donated the bone marrow, feeding him, being a friend. Repaying that kindness by jumping her bones had seemed too slimy, so he'd resisted the urge to suggest they cash in on their rain check. Even though he'd wanted to.

He glanced at her as they waited for the elevator. She was showing more and more. He supposed that some guys would have found her growing size unappealing, but he thought she was s.e.xy as h.e.l.l, all lush curves and glowing health. He liked the way she moved, the way she smelled, the promise that seemed to be in every smile.

Complications, he thought. Getting involved with Penny would be nothing but complications. Another reason to resist his need for her. But he sure was tempted.

They rode up to their floor, then stepped into the corridor.

”We have to check in,” he said. ”Tracy, Lindsey's mom, said they'll explain about the mask and gown we have to wear. Her immune system is still recovering. Apparently she's doing much better than anyone expected and she'll be out of the hospital in a few weeks, but until then, we all have to be careful.”

Penny touched his arm. ”You're nervous. That's normal, but I'm still only going as far as the door. This is a private moment.”