“Jonathan,” he said, reaching out a large hand, encircling hers for a cordial pump. “This is my wife, Lucy.”
But instead of taking the offered handshake, a beaming Lucy pulled Tabitha in for a bone-crushing hug. Aware of the giant baby between them, Tabitha concaved her middle to accommodate the belly girth and tried to return the embrace casually with a gentle back pat.
“I’m so excited to meet you,” she beamed, leaning back and gazing up at Tabitha, who stood a half foot taller. Lucy loosened her hug but snatched both of her hands and pulled the redhead down so they were eye to eye. “Frankie told meeverything,so I already like you.”
The hushed voice and wink gave Tabitha pause.
Exactly how much had Frankie told her?
Before she could agonize too much, Jonathan intervened, “I’m going to grab us a drink. Do you need anything, Tabitha?”
She shook her head, “Thanks. I still have a full Americano.”
“God, I miss caffeine,” Lucy lamented, eyeing Tabitha’s beverage with a lusty gaze.
“Come on, wife,” Jonathan supported a hand under Lucy’s elbow and turned her toward the counter. “Let me buy you a decaf chai and a snack.”
A few minutes later, the Millers sat opposite Tabitha at her table. She wanted to give them a moment before launching into her list of questions. Taking a few bites and sips helped relax an interviewee and allowed Tabitha to get a basic read on their mood.
After demolishing half of her blueberry muffin and flitting a few glances over Tabitha’s shoulder, Lucy asked, “Are you having fun in town so far?”
“Definitely. Leavenworth is beautiful,” Tabitha responded genuinely. “I can’t believe I’ve never been before now.”
“First timer, huh? So, you’re not from Washington, then?” Lucy asked, taking another glance across the cafe.
“I am, but I never thought to come over here.” Knowing now that there was such an incredible gem in the middle of the state, she felt silly not having visited before. “I’m sure I’ll be back again. The climbing’s great, and the vibe is so much more relaxed. The perfect climbing getaway.”
“I’m a transplant, but Jonathan has lived here most of his life. Runs his family’s business now.” She laid a hand on her husband’s exposed forearm and twiddled the dusting of hair.
“And now you both run Off the Beaten Adventures.”
“That’s right. Family business,” Jonathan said warmly. Clasping Lucy’s hand, he brought her fingers to his lips for a whisper of a kiss before returning it to his forearm. Then he settled his palm on her rounded belly. “And soon, it’ll be a third-generation operation.”
So much love radiated off the couple. It would almost be nauseating if Tabitha weren’t already infatuated with the whole family. Even though it wasn’t in the cards for her, Tabitha would have loved having a similar partnership. One where love and support ruled all.
Something she thought possible at one time in her early twenties.
Refocusing on the Millers, she asked, “Boy or girl?”
“One of each!” Lucy chortled with a bit of hysteria. “Can you believe it?”
That made sense. While Jonathan was a large man, it was more plausible that she carried two normal-sized babies rather than a single Thanksgiving turkey-sized one.
“Congratulations,” Tabitha said with a grin.
“If you’re going to stare at the back of her head the whole time you might as well join us,” Lucy heckled past Tabitha, who glanced over her shoulder to spot the mom-to-be’s intended target. “He’s been working at OtB as long as Jonathan. He’s family.”
Zac curled in on himself but failed his attempt at invisibility.
“Nah, you guys do your thing,” he called across the room. “Plus, there’s only three chairs, so . . .”
Lucy shrugged. With a little rocking and a resounding grunt, she pushed to a stand. But before she could waddle for the nearest vacant chair, Jonathan and Zac rushed to her side to stop her.
“Jesus, guys. I’m pregnant, not broken. I can move a damned chair,” she chided the men then tossed a mischievous wink over her shoulder at Tabitha.
Cheeky, meddlesome woman.
But Tabitha already liked her.