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“I do.”
“Then let’s go visit.”
Gracie had kept in touch with her three closest friends at Sugar Mountain. She and Leo had also gone to Henry and Kate’s wedding the past summer, but she still felt as if she’d just disappeared when she quit her job at Sugar Mountain to leave with Leo. She’d wanted to stick out the winter season to keep from leaving Tracy short-handed, but her boss insisted that Gracie follow the man who made her so happy back to Orono.
“I’d love to go see our friends,” she said.
“Then get dressed, girl. We’re going on a road trip.”
Sugar Mountain was less than two hours away, and the two arrived before noon. Nostalgia swept over Gracie when she entered the lobby of Sugar Mountain. Heat blasted at her when she first stepped in, and she paused to take in the scene. The blue counters shone against white walls, while ski boots thudded on the floor as skiers and snowboarders walked by her. She glanced around for familiar faces. But it was Donna and Richard she and Leo saw first.
Richard’s face lit up when he noticed them. “My goodness, Gracie.” He held out his hand toward her stomach. “May I?” Gracie opened up her flannel shirt to reveal her long-sleeved T-shirt and let him touch her stomach. He leaned in to speak softly. “How many?”
“Three. I have no idea how I’m going to do it.”
Donna chuckled. “Leo, your mother must be thrilled.”
“She has been asking for grandchildren from me for a while, so yes, she’s giddy.”
“There they are!” Tracy approached Leo and Gracie. She hugged Gracie tight. “It’s so great to see you.” The woman stepped back and frowned at Gracie’s belly. “How many are in there?”
“My god,” Fiona said from behind the counter. “You’re huge.”
“Triplets will do that to you,” Leo said.
“Three babies?” Fiona’s eyes widened in horror, and Gracie was amused. She knew that the pretty girls would have fun gossiping about Gracie and Leo’s news, and she didn’t care one bit.
She said, “Yes, Fiona. And I can’t wait.”
The tiny girl tilted her head as she studied Gracie. “You look really good for a pregnant woman. It suits you.”
“Thanks.” Gracie sent a telepathic message to Leo.I think she’s being sincere. Who’d have believed it?
“You do define glowing. I’m so happy for you,” said Tracy. She hugged Leo. “You’ll always be my favorite Cupid.”
He grinned at her. “I left a pretty big costume to fill.”
“I know Henry is going to be thrilled to see you,” she said. “He might be in the locker room eating lunch if you’d like to check.”
Gracie said, “We will.”
“I’d love to chat more, but I have a meeting,” Tracy said. “I’ll be free this afternoon, though. Just doing dreaded paperwork.” She nodded toward the older couple. “Donna, Richard, right this way.”
Gracie waved at the trio before they walked away. “Bye.” And then she turned to Leo with excitement that made her scrunch up her shoulders. Tracy had broken up with her boyfriend shortly after the holiday party the previous year. “Tracy has ameetingwith Donna and Richard?” She glanced around to make sure she wasn’t causing a scene. Her former boss was a tall, solid woman too, and it was entirely possible she was part werebear. In fact, Gracie couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it before. “Tracy hasn’t had it easy in the love department, and maybe it’s because she’s destined to so deserves forever love. I’d squeal right now if I could.”
Leo smiled. “That she does.”
Henry wasn’t in the locker room when they checked, but Gracie texted him and they made plans to meet him and Kate at Java Jane’s coffee shop at the end of the workday.
After a leisurely lunch spent watching beginners through the lodge windows, they returned to guest services to see Tracy. They found her behind the counter talking to a large man with salt and pepper hair. Gracie slowed down. “He’s a—” She stopped herself from speaking out loud and communicated telepathically instead.That guy is a werebear. Do you recognize him?
He looks familiar, but I can’t think of his name. I know one thing, though.
Gracie chuckled because she saw the way Tracy was looking at the man too.Tracy’s world is about to turn upside down in a really good way.
The guy turned and saw them. He scanned them quickly before recognition flooded his face, and he winked before walking out the door. Gracie had all she could do not to rush over to her former boss and tell her she’d just met the man who would make her happier than she ever could have imagined.
Tracy was staring off into space with a smile on her face when they walked over. “Who was that silver fox?” Gracie asked her friend.
