"Devon's still here."
Lucky was heartened by the sight of her red compact in the driveway. Chase parked the truck beside it. Once out of the pickup, Lucky jogged up the steps and through the front door.
"Hey, everybody, the jailbird is free!"
"That's not funny," Laurie admonished as he entered the living room where she was sitting with Devon, Sage, and Tanya. Chase had phoned ahead and reported the outcome of the arraignment.
"Neither is jail," Lucky said in an appropriately solemn tone. Crossing to where Devon was seated on the sofa, he dropped down beside her and, without compunction, covered her knee with his hand. "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Did those bastards give you any grief after I was taken away?"
"No. They allowed me to leave. Chase drove me here." She gave Laurie, Sage, and Tanya smiles. "I've been well looked after, although all the fuss was unnecessary."
"After the dreadful way you were treated?" Laurie stood up. "Of course it was necessary, and then some. My family owes you a debt of gratitude, Devon." She moved toward the arched opening. "Boys, wash up. We've been holding dinner for you."
"I'd like a chance to speak to Devon alone, Mother," Lucky said.
"After dinner. I'm sure she's famished. Chase, stop that smooching and usher everybody into the dining room, please."
Chase reluctantly released Tanya, whose neck he'd been nibbling. Laughing, he remarked, "We should have had Mother in that interrogation room with us today. They wouldn't have dared cross her."
Laurie had heeded Lucky's earlier request and cooked a sumptuous country dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the cob, and black-eyed peas. She'd made his favorite banana pudding for dessert. Despite the events of the afternoon, the mood at the dinner table was jolly.
As they were finishing their dessert and coffee, Tanya clinked her fork against her drinking glass. Everyone fell silent and looked at her, surprised because she so rarely called attention to herself.
"I think this family needs a piece of good news." Reaching for her husband's hand, she smiled into his eyes and proclaimed, "There's a new Tyler on the way. I'm pregnant."
Laurie clasped her hands beneath her chin, her eyes immediately growing misty. "Oh, how wonderful!"
Sage gave a raucous, unladylike hoot. Lucky guffawed. "Don't look now, big brother, but you just dropped a gooey bite of pudding into your lap."
Chase, gaping at his wife, lowered his empty spoon back into his dessert plate. "You … you mean it? You're sure?"
Gleefully Tanya bobbed her head up and down. "You're going to be a daddy."
* * *
Having reached the white wooden fence that enclosed the peach orchard, Devon rested her forearms on the top rung and took a deep, cleansing breath. Lucky stood beside her. It was the first moment they'd had alone since Chase had brought him back from town. Following Tanya's announcement, everybody had started firing questions at once, which she fielded with poise.
No, she wasn't very far along, but the pregnancy had been positively confirmed. Yes, she was feeling quite well, thank you. No, she hadn't had any morning sickness yet.
Yes, she was due around the first of the year.
No, the doctor didn't expect any difficulties. Discussion of the baby had prolonged dinner. Finally Laurie had stood to clear the table, shooing Devon and Lucky out. The evening was close and warm, the air heavy with humidity and the heady, fertile scents of spring.
Turning her head toward Lucky, Devon asked, "Did you know?"
"What? About Tanya?" He shook his head. "No. But it didn't really surprise me. They've made no secret of wanting kids. It was just a matter of time. I'm glad she chose tonight to announce it."
The top railing of the fence caught him in the middle of his back as he leaned against and turned to face her. There was a soft breeze blowing, lifting strands of burnished hair out of her restrictive bun. Sage had loaned her some clothes. She had traded her business suit for a casual, long-skirted jumper worn over a T-shirt. She was making it tough on him to decide which way he liked her best. Whether soft or sophisticated, she always looked terrific.
"Your mother is really something," she was saying. "She's strong and yet compassionate. A rare combination."
"Thanks. I think she's special too. I was afraid you'd think the Tylers are all a little crazy. Picking fights one minute. Crying over a coming baby the next."
She plucked a leaf off the nearest peach tree and began to pull it through her fingers. "No, it's nice, the closeness you share."