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Anne was laughing harder. “Ow! You’re making my stomach hurt.”
“I should have suspected something when I first went in the room because it smelled so bad. But you can’t imagine the aroma of all those people sweltering and sweating together for an hour. I don’t know if my eyes were watering from the fumes or from the sweat running into my eyes.”
“Stop! Please!” Anne laughed. “I can’t believe you stayed in there for an hour.”
“I tried to get out,” Connie declared with a straight face. “The door was locked. I banged on the glass door and screamed for help, but the people on the outside of the glass simply laughed and turned up the thermostat.”
“Ohmygosh—you’re killing me!”
“I passed out and almost drowned in my personal pool of sweat. But just in time the class ended. When I stepped out into the air conditioning, my sweaty clothes froze stiff. So I had to pry them off in the locker room, and I threw them away, rather than touch them again.”
“So, I guess that’s the end of hot yoga for you?” Anne wiped at tears of laughter.
?
?Oh no. I sweated away five pounds in an hour—it was worth it.” Connie laughed. “I’ve known I needed to lose a few pounds for a while, but being around you has made me feel like an elephant.”
“Right now, I’d make a stork feel like an elephant. Please don’t use me as your measure.”
“No, I’m kidding. My nursing training has motivated me to try to be healthier. I’m trying to exercise and eat better, too. And I’m determined to fatten you up a bit as soon as we can.”
Would she ever really be able to gain weight? Every bite of food was still a challenge. Her nausea was barely in control, and strong smells still made her sick. But she couldn’t let people know, especially Steven. She had to be strong for him—he already worried too much. She plastered on a happy face.
“Thanks, Connie. I’m sure I’ll be able to eat more and more each day. You’ve been a life-saver for me.”
Connie gave her shoulder a little pat. “You hang in there, honey. We’ll get it figured out.”
“How’s Spencer?” Anne asked, trying to sound casual.
“He was over at the house last night, working with Joe. I only saw him for a bit after I came home from hot yoga. He seemed more quiet than usual, but he was probably tired.” She smiled proudly. “He always makes time to come and help his father.”
“He seems like a great guy. I can’t imagine raising five kids. Are your girls as mature as Spencer?”
Connie shook her head. “Uhmm, no. Not quite. But they’re getting there.”
“I’d love to meet them. Emily really likes your family. Maybe we could get together when Charlie comes to visit.”
“Now, Charlie is...?”
“Charlotte, actually. She goes by Charlie. She’s my younger daughter.”
“That could be really fun, although it might be a little loud, with six girls together. How old is Charlie?”
“She’s about to be twenty-three.”
“And is she a CPA like Emily?”
“Oh no. Charlie is more of a... free spirit.” Anne chuckled. “She started college, but she had no idea what she wanted to do. So—at least for now—she lives in Colorado and leads rafting trips in the summer and teaches skiing in the winter. She’s my adventurous, outdoorsy girl.” Anne cocked her eyebrow at Connie. “To tell you the truth, when they all met last fall, I thought she and Spencer might hit it off.”
Connie’s eyes sparkled. “But it seems like Emily and Spencer have hit if off instead, doesn’t it?”
“Well, not that I want to be an interfering mother—” Anne paused and then smirked. “Who am I kidding? I love being an interfering mother. I wonder if there’s anything we could do to spur the relationship along?”
“What about Emily? Do you think she likes Spencer?”
“I think she’s afraid of liking him. I think she’s afraid of liking anyone.”
“Why’s that?”
