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Jacqueline nodded "Obviously Tammie Lee’s a breeder, just as I suspected"

Reese frowned; he disapproved of her natural wariness toward Paul’s wife But they knew practically nothing about her fairl’s tales of aunts and uncles and God-only-kneto say the least

The sound of a crane overhead distracted Reese momentarily and when he returned his attention to her he was frowning again "You don’t seem happy about this"

"Come on, Reese! How do you expect randmother for the first time"

Jacqueline crossed her arms "Well, I for one am not thrilled" Several of her nearest and dearest friends had delighted in their status as new grandmothers, but Jacqueline doubted she’d make this latest adjustrandchild"

"I should’ve known better than to say anything to you," she said angrily Jacqueline wouldn’t have ument with Paul She’d always been close to her son He was the reason she’d stayed in this e she’d hoped for: handso and was quickly clio, he’d done so woiven Tammie Lee a chance," Reese insisted

"That is blatantly unfair" To Jacqueline’s horror, her voice shook with eiven this aard relationship with Tammie Lee her best effort For the life of her, Jacqueline couldn’t understand why her sensible son would irl frohters were interested in him Paul called Tammie Lee his southern belle, but all Jacqueline saas a hillbilly "I took her to lunch at the country club and I’ve never been so mortified inI know, Tas’ feet or some such with the President of the Woather up enough courage to face her friend again

"Isn’t Mary in charge of the cookbook? It makes perfect sense that the two of the I need is for you to criticizeto explain anything to Reese They couldn’t even have a civil conversation any herhavoc with her French twist Reese didn’t care, though Appearances were i she did to maintain herself physically He didn’t have any idea howher makeup properly She was in her e lines

His voice rose slightly "What exactly did you say to Paul?"

Jacqueline squared her shoulders in an attenity "Just that I wished he’d waited a while before starting his family"

Her husband offered her his hand to assist her into the construction trailer "Coesture of help and stepped into the trailer Although Reese routinely visited his work sites, this was the first tilanced around and took note of the blue-prints, eeneral disarray The place rese" Reese poured coffee and silently held out a cup She declined with a shake of her head, afraid the cup hadn’t been washed in weeks

"Why do you assu more than the fact that I was disappointed?" she asked

"Because I know you"

"Well, thank you verybut she refused to let him see how his rebuke had hurt her "ToNaturally Paul had a convenient excuse for keeping us out of the picture He said they didn’t want to say anything until they could be sure the pregnancy was safe"

"And you don’t believe him?" Reese crossed his arms and leaned next to the open door

"Of course I don’t People usually wait three ood news," she said sarcastically, "but six? You and I both know he put off telling us because he kne I’d feel I’ve said froe is a very big oes off on a business trip to New Orleans andthe same financial conference, and "

Why did Reese have to drag up unnecessary details? "They were together all of three days and the next thing I know he announces that he’s ree with you there," Reese conceded "I do wish Paul had told us, but it’s been almost a year"

It still upset Jacqueline that her son hadn’t had a large church wedding the way she’d always envisioned Jacqueline felt it hat Paul was entitled to--what she was entitled to Instead she hadn’t even been invited to the wedding

That wasn’t territory she particularly wanted to revisit Her son’s only excuse was that he was in love, kneanted Tammie Lee with him for the rest of his life and couldn’t bear to be apart froiven them, but Jacqueline had her suspicions Paul must’ve known she wouldn’t be pleased--and he must have realized that his in-laould be an e Tammie Lee’s family would hold The reception dinner would probably consist of collard greens and grits, with deep-fried Hostess Twinkies instead of wedding cake

"Ta" She didn’t hide her contempt

"Paul’s over thirty, Jacqueline" Reese had that disapproving look in his eyes She’d always hated it

"And old enough to know about birth control," she snapped Paul had sprung the news on her the sae: over the phone without a

"He told me he wanted a family," Reeseto Reese was impossible He didn’t seehter-in-laas nothing like the woman she’d envisioned for their son Jacqueline had honestly tried to welcome Tammie Lee into the family, but she couldn’t bear to be around her for more than a few minutes All that sweetness and insincere southern charm simply overwhelmed her