“Did we really surprise you, Paris?” Megan squeezed her hand.
“Yes, but this is too much.” She glanced around the room and saw two tables, one filled with delicious food and drink and the other with gifts. “You’re due in less than two weeks. How in the world did you put this together?”
Megan pointed to Gretchen and Ethel, who were bringing out flowers to add to the gift table. “They did all the heavy work. I just directed. Piece of cake.”
“Is Ethel the one who told you I got married?”
“Paris, your marriage to Doc and Mick is front page news in today’s Destiny Daily.” Kaylyn Simmons-Reynolds, the lead singer of Wolfe Mayhem and owner of the service dog training school, gave her a hug.
“I should’ve known. There’s no secrets in Destiny.”
“Did you really want to keep it a secret, sweetie?” Jena Dixon-MacCabe handed her a glass of champagne.
“No. I actually like being famous.”
They all laughed.
Megan smiled. “I’m surprised you were able to break away from your computers, Jena. Shannon’s Elite keeps you so busy, and I know every other spare moment you’re looking for Matt’s sister.”
“True, but I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Also, I’ve found an incredible lead on Carrie’s whereabouts.”
“Oh my God, that’s great news.” Like so many, Paris knew the story about Jena’s husbands’ childhood in the cult in Mississippi. They’d lost so much.
“I’ll know something in a few days for certain. Don’t breathe a word to Matt, please. I don’t want to get his hopes up until I’m sure.”
“Of course.”
“Do you mind if we sit down?” Megan touched her stomach. “My little one is kicking the daylights out of me right now.”
“She just wants to party with us.” Paris grabbed Megan by the hand and led her to the comfy sofas, which were arranged in a circle.
Megan sat down. “That’s better. Thanks.”
Gretchen handed her and Belle glasses. “Here’s apple juice for you two. Champagne for the rest of you ladies. Oh wait a minute. All except for you, Nicole. And when is your baby due?”
Nicole Coleman wore her deputy sheriff uniform. “What?”
Megan’s jaw dropped. “Gretchen?”
The dear lady shrugged. “We don’t have secrets in Destiny.”
Nicole smiled. “How did you know? I just took the home pregnancy test last night. I haven’t even verified it with either of the Dr. Ryders—Paris or Dustin.”
Gretchen laughed. “You don’t have to be a physician to be able to tell that, my dear. You have that beautiful glow I’ve seen on Megan, Belle, and Amber for the past several months.”
“Nicole, come see me at the clinic tomorrow, and Gretchen you come also for your honorary doctor’s license.”
Several of the ladies giggled.
After filling up on the delicious food Gretchen and Ethel had prepared for the party, Paris began opening her gifts.
Phoebe Wolfe and her assistant Ashley handed her a beautifully wrapped package.
“This is from both of us.” Phoebe, who was married to Jason, Mitch, and Lucas Wolfe, had never looked happier.
“Thank you.” Paris ripped off the bow.
“That’s the first baby,” Ashley announced.