Heather thought back to the early days at home with little Mick. Connor had handled his share of feedings. “Actually Connor was amazing about that kind of thing,” she said as she bit into the still-steaming pizza. After chewing thoughtfully, she added, “Maybe it helped that he was usually burning the midnight oil going over case files, but I can’t tell you how many times I found him half-asleep in a chair with a file in one hand and the baby sleeping on his chest.”
“And the diapers?” Bree asked skeptically.
“He changed his share.”
Connie regarded her incredulously. “And yet you still left him?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she looked chagrined. “Sorry. None of my business.”
“It’s okay,” Heather told her. “Sometimes I wonder if I was out of my mind, too.”
“Well, Connor is my brother and I love him to pieces,” Bree said as she plucked another slice of pizza from the box, “but I get why you did what you did. Marriage matters. It means something when two people stand in front of a priest or a judge and say, ‘I do.’”
“It certainly should,” Connie agreed, sipping her soda. “Of course, when I got married, all it meant to my husband was that he was buying into a permanent cooking and cleaning service. Jenny required too much of my time and attention.” She shook her head. “He was a selfish pig. How I’d missed that is beyond me.”
“As great a believer as I am in love,” Bree said, “I think we all delude ourselves sometimes and see what we want to see in a man. Look at the mistake I made with my so-called mentor at the regional theater in Chicago. I convinced myself he was madly in love with me, when he was really in love with the sound of his own voice. I was just his adoring audience.” She looked chagrined. “To think I could have lost Jake forever for a man like that.”
Heather listened to the two of them and found solace in what they were saying. “So you’ve both been down some bumpy roads and survived,” she commented.
“Better than survived,” Bree said. “I’ve thrived. I’m happier now than I ever imagined being. I love the flower shop, and having my own theater is challenging and amazingly rewarding. I’ve actually written my first new play in ages and hope to produce it next season.”
“And I may not have met an exciting new man in, oh, the past five years or more,” Connie added, “but I have a great daughter, a wonderful brother and a really good life. I even enjoy working at the nursery for Jake.”
She frowned, set aside the slice of pizza she’d just picked up, then confessed, “I honestly don’t know what the dickens I’ll do once Jenny leaves for college next fall. I can’t imagine rattling around in that house by myself.”
“You could sell your place and buy one of those snazzy new townhouses being developed just outside of town,” Bree suggested. She eyed the pizza longingly, grimaced as she apparently lost the battle with her willpower and took another slice.
Connie shook her head. “Empty is empty. I’m afraid the empty-nest syndrome is going to hit me harder than most,” she said disconsolately.
“You need a hobby,” Bree said.
“I’ve already signed up for quilting classes with Heather,” Connie said.
Bree shook her head. “No offense, but that’s a hobby for women. You need one that will help you meet men.”
Connie regarded her with amusement. “Do you happen to have one of those?”
“You could volunteer at my theater,” Bree said at once. “We have lots of things you could do.”
“And how many men who aren’t married or gay?” Connie inquired reasonably.
Bree winced. “You have a point. Okay, what else are you interested in?”
When Connie remained silent, Heather prodded, “Do you like to read? Shanna has a book club at her store. She mentioned it to me the other day.”
“I don’t think so. I don’t like the pressure of having to read anything on a deadline,” Connie said. She glanced at Bree. “I did pick up some of those books on the bay that your uncle Thomas recommended when he did that talk for Shanna. I like the work he’s doing.”
“Then volunteer,” Bree said excitedly. “That’s perfect. It’s a really great cause. Kevin can fill you in, or you can drop by the house tomorrow. Uncle Thomas will be there for Easter dinner, I’m sure. He never misses a holiday. You can get some ideas directly from him. Bring Jenny along, too.”
“You can’t just add two people to Easter dinner,” Connie protested.
“Of course I can,” Bree said. “If there’s one thing we O’Briens love, it’s a jam-packed holiday table. It diverts Dad’s attention from us, so there’s less meddling. And Gram thinks having company keeps us all on our best behavior.” She shrugged. “I’m not so sure about that, but there’s always enough food for an army. Promise me you’ll be there. I don’t want to think about you and Jenny having lunch all alone, anyway. Heather will be there, too, right?”
Heather nodded. “Do come. It’ll be nice to see another friendly face in the crowd. I feel outnumbered by O’Briens.”
“Clear it with Megan and Nell and I’m in,” Connie said finally. “Now let’s pop this movie in. Maybe if we shed enough tears, we’ll work off a few of the calories we’ve just consumed.”
“Not much chance of that,” Bree said, patting her belly. “If I so much as look at food these days, I gain weight.”
“Of course, you did slightly more than look at the pizza,” Connie teased. “I’m pretty sure you ate a whole one all by yourself.”
“Guilty,” Bree said unrepentantly. “Could you not tell my husband that, please? He’ll just start obsessing and insist I take some awful walk with him first thing in the
