Borrowed Dreams (Debbie Macomber Classics) by Debbie Macomber Page A

her sofa, Carly walked across the couch, dragging the telephone line with her as she went. “There’s nothing to tell. We’re only friends.”
    “When you show this much enthusiasm for any male, I get excited. Now, what’s this bull about the two of you just being friends? Who are you kidding?”
    “Diana …” She exhaled a trembling breath as she sat down. “I don’t know what to think.Brand’s been married.”
    “So? If you remember correctly, I’ve left two husbands in my wake.”
    “But this is different. She died of leukemia and it nearly killed him, he loved her so much.”
    “Well, sweetie, I hate to say it, but this guy sounds perfect for you. You’re two of a kind. Both of you are walking through life wounded. Has he gotten you into bed yet?”
    “Diana!” Carly was outraged. Hot color seeped slowly up her neck.
    “I swear, you must be the only twenty-five-year-old virgin left in America.”
    “If you don’t stop talking like that, I’m going to hang up,” Carly threatened.
    “All right, all right.”
    Carly could hear Diana’s restrained laughter. The woman loved to say the most outrageous things just to get a rise out of Carly.
    “Take my advice.” Diana’s tone was more serious now. “You can hunt all your life for the perfect male and never find him. He doesn’t exist. And even if by some fluke of nature you find someone who suits you, he’s liable to expect the perfect female. And neither one of us is going to fill those shoes.”
    Crossing her legs Indian-style beneath her, Carly managed a weak sigh. “I suppose you’re right.”
    “I’m always right, you know that,” Diana responded, with a small laugh. “Now listen, because I’ve got some serious-type news.”
    “What?” Carly straightened at the unusually deep intonation in Diana’s voice.
    “Against my better judgment and two miserable failures, Barney has convinced me that we should get married.”
    “Diana, that’s wonderful.
You
two are the ones who belong together. This is fantastic.”
    “To be honest, I’m rather pleased about it myself. I’m not getting any younger, you know, and I’m ready to face the mommy scene. Barney and I’ve decided to have a family right away. Can you picture me changing diapers and the whole bit?”
    “Yes,” Carly returned emphatically. “Yes, I can. You’ll make a wonderful mother.”
    “Time will tell,” Diana chuckled. “At least I know what
not
to do.”
    “We both do,” Carly agreed. “Have you set the date?”
    “Next month, on the fifteenth.”
    “But that’s only a little over three weeks away.” Mentally, Carly was chastising Diana and Barney for not getting their act together sooner. This was one wedding she didn’t want to miss. But she could hardly ask for time off now.
    “Believe me, I know. But the wedding won’t be anything fancy. It’d be ridiculous for me to march down the aisle at this point. Barney and I want you here. It’s important to both of us.”
    Disappointment made Carly’s hand tighten around the receiver. “I can’t, Diana,” she said, with an exaggerated sigh. “Why couldn’t you have made up your mind before I left Seattle?”
    “Barney insists on paying your airfare. Now, before you say a word, I know about that pride of yours. But let me tell you from experience, it’s better not to argue with Barney and all his money. So plan right now on being here.”
    Carly would have enjoyed nothing more. “But I can’t ask for time off from work. Hamlyn would have my head.”
    “Threaten to quit,” Diana returned smoothly. “If Hamlyn gives you any guff, tell him where to get off. By this time he’s bound to recognize what a jewel you are.”
    “Diana, I don’t know.”
    Some of the teasing quality left Diana’s voice. “You’re the closest thing I’ve got to family, Carly. I’ve been married twice, and both times I’ve stood before a justice of the peace and mumbled a few words that were as meaningless as the