There's Always Plan B Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    â€œI love you, too, Mom.”
    Carly listened to her daughter’s breathing. It didn’t take very long for it to slow and get very deep. When Tiffany was asleep, Carly tried to memorize everything about this moment—how her daughter clung to her even in sleep, the way her hair smelled, the feel of her thin arms. There wouldn’t be many more nights when Tiffany needed to sleep with her mom to feel safe, and Carly didn’t want to miss a moment of what might be the last one.
    â€œThey grow up too fast,” she whispered.

CHAPTER 3
    Carly woke up to a morning so beautiful, she couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the day and her future. She left her daughter asleep and went downstairs to fire up her morning with a jumbo mug of coffee. Sunshine, the smell of the ocean and a jolt of caffeine. Did it get any better than that?
    She took the back stairs instead of the elevator and enjoyed the play of light on the old paneling. Even the servants had had a view, she thought humorously as she walked across the landing and glanced out at the expanse of gardens below. When she reached the main floor, she headed for the kitchen. If she hadn’t been sure of her destination, the mouthwatering scent of cinnamon and something baking would have drawn her in.
    Anticipation quickened her steps. Not just for the yummy stuff, but also to see Maribel. Although they talked regularly by phone, she hadn’t seen her friend in over a year.
    â€œHey, you,” Carly said as she opened the kitchen door and stepped inside. “You’re up early.”
    Maribel pulled something out of the oven, straightened, turned and grinned. “You made it!”
    Carly waited until her friend put down the baking sheet, then approached. She opened her arms wide for a hug, only to come to a complete stop and stare.
    â€œYou’re…you’re…”
    Maribel laughed, then smoothed the front of her white chef’s coat over her belly. “Pregnant. I know.”
    â€œBut…You can’t be. You’re…”
    Carly didn’t know what to say. “Too old,” came to mind. As she and Maribel were practically the same age, her friend was also within weeks of turning forty.
    â€œYou didn’t say anything,” Carly told her instead.
    â€œI know.” Maribel moved close and hugged her. “When I found out about the baby, you and Neil had already started talking about the divorce. I didn’t know if I should share my news or not. Then when you mentioned coming here, I figured I’d tell you in person. Don’t be mad at me. I was seriously torn.”
    â€œI’m not mad. I couldn’t be. I’ll admit to being stunned. A baby. Wow.”
    Carly squeezed her, then stepped back. She studied her friend’s bright, happy expression and the blush on her cheeks. Always petite and curvy, Maribel now defined lush. Her new shorter haircut emphasized her pretty features.
    â€œYou look amazing. Seriously, you’re doing the glowing thing. But a baby? Are you excited?”
    â€œI am now,” Maribel admitted. “But at first it was a real shock. Only Dani’s still in high school, the other three are in college. Pete and I figured we were finally going to buy that RV and see the world. Or at least the part we can drive to. Then this happened.”
    She touched her stomach. “I cried for three days when the doctor told me I didn’t have the flu. Then I had a dream I wasn’t pregnant and I woke myself up crying because I was so sad. That’s when I figured I really did want the baby.”
    Carly nodded, even though she didn’t understand. She and Maribel had gone different ways—Carly had attended college for a couple of years before starting in events planning and Maribel had married right out of high school. She’d had her first child on her twentieth birthday.
    â€œTiffany’s fifteen,” she said.