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you?” Nic waited until Sarah looked at her to explain. “Maybe not face-to-face, but turning away and going away says it pretty clearly.”
    The knock at her door saved Sarah from responding to that. “Speak of the devil,” she murmured.
    “Cam is here?” Nic asked innocently.
    Sarah laughed and started for the door, saying, “Celeste.”
    Ali Timberlake, the owner of the Yellow Kitchen restaurant, had arrived with Celeste. Sage Rafferty pulled her car into the driveway as Sarah opened the door to let the other women inside. Sarah watched as Sage, an artist and the owner of the local gallery, Vistas, removed a large tote bag from her backseat and hurried toward the house. A few minutes later, her best friends in the world were seated at her kitchen table, moaning with pleasure over the taste of cinnamon and sugar and coffee cake that melted in their mouths.
    Well, except for Sage. She’d refused the high-caloric treat and opted for an apple instead. Sarah knew why, and judging by the gleam in Sage’s green eyes, she suspected that the others were about to learn, too. “You look especially beautiful this morning.”
    “She does, doesn’t she?” Ali Timberlake agreed. “You’ve done something different with your hair. It’s gorgeous.”
    “Thank you.” Sage lifted her long auburn tresses. “I cut three inches off and had it layered while Colt and I were in Denver yesterday.”
    “I saw that Vistas was closed yesterday,” Nic said. “I didn’t know you went to Denver. Was the trip for work or fun?”
    “Actually …”
    Sage glanced briefly at Sarah as she paused significantly, and Sarah knew her suspicions were correct. A smile played about her lips as she saw Sage reach for her tote bag. “Mostly fun. I had a doctor’s appointment, and then Colt and I went shopping. We’re redecorating one of our bedrooms, and I want your opinion. Help me decide which theme to use.” She pulled two canvases from the back and held them up. “Bunnies or ducks?”
    It took a moment for the revelation to take. Then Ali sat up straight and grinned. Nic’s mouth gaped in shock for the third time that day, and Celeste folded her hands and beamed. Sarah allowed herself a smug smile.
    Nic cleared her throat. “Sage, correct me if I’m wrong, but those look suspiciously like nursery designs.”
    “You’re not wrong,” the artist said, her eyes bright.
    “You’re pregnant?” Ali and Nic said simultaneously.
    “I’m into my fourth month and scared to death and happier than I ever would have imagined.”
    With a chorus of cheers and delighted squeals, Sage’s friends jumped to their feet and wrapped her in hugs. Sarah had known about the pregnancy since before Christmas, when she’d stopped by Vistas and caught Sage in the throes of morning sickness. Sage had asked her to keep her secret, and while it had tested Sarah’s self-discipline, she’d done so.
    Now, as she witnessed Sage’s joy, Sarah didn’t even try to hold back the tears. Presenting her news to her friends with such obvious pleasure showed just how far Sage had traveled in her journey to healing. Not long ago, due to trauma she’d suffered while working with Doctors Without Borders, Sage couldn’t have held a baby, much less looked forward to giving birth to one.
    The happy mood continued throughout their planning meeting and grew even more boisterous once Sarah shared her own news with her friends. By the time Sarah crossed the street to open the Trading Post at nine-thirty, the comradery had chased away her lingering sadness at Lori’s departure.
    The store enjoyed a steady stream of business, and Sarah stayed busy until lunchtime. After fixing a sandwich for her mom, she phoned the bank and made an appointment with Bob Carson. By two o’clock, the deed was done. She’d agreed to operate the Trading Post for two more weeks. After that, the Reese family business would be some other family’s responsibility. Joe Jarrell confirmed that the