space, she had completely remodeled the facility. During the process, she created an area where her kids could safely play from the time they were toddlers well into elementary school. Amy still liked to come hang out when her busy schedule permitted it.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” Niki said, “but not having to pay for day care will save a lot. It also gives me an excuse to keep my mother from taking over.”
Niki’s mother indeed was a force of nature, but Faith liked and admired her, even while she understood how hard it was for Niki to have such a controlling individual hovering over her life. “Smother Love” might have been coined for Mrs. Constantine. Which was why Faith doubted Niki could keep her condition secret. However, Niki’s brother was engaged and this could possibly deflect attention from Niki for a while, as his fiancée was only half Greek and her future mother-in-law was busy teaching her how to make all her future husband’s favorite dishes. The situation had caused Niki to mention recently that there really were gods up there on Mount Olympus.
“Phil must be over the moon,” Faith said, relaxing into their usual companionable mode.
Niki dipped her molasses sugar cookie into her milk and took a bite.
“I haven’t told him yet,” she mumbled.
The mode switched back.
“You haven’t told him! Niki, eventually he’s going to notice the patter of little feet.”
“I know, I know. The stick only turned blue yesterday, and yes, I was really, really happy. Then he called with his news, and by the time he got home, I’d decided this was not the time to lay it on the guy that he’d better be out there hustling up some bread because there was going to be an extra place at the table for a bunch of years. Besides, I have a job, which brings me to the reason I came by. Oh hell, I came to tell you, you know that, but I also came to ask you a favor.”
“Anything,” Faith said.
“First, I don’t want you to tell anyone I’m pregnant.”
“Not even Pix?”
“Especially not Pix.”
Ursula and now Niki. What was up with this? Poor Pix. Life was getting even stranger than usual.
“You know she can’t keep a secret. The first time she saw Phil, she wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye, would get all red, and he’d know something was going on.”
“Sweetie! Pix is away for almost two more weeks. You can’t keep this from him that long.”
“I’ll keep it from him as long as I want.” Niki jutted her chin out, all traces of tears gone. “I don’t want him to be distracted. He has enough on his plate without piling on a helping of fatherhood.” Niki seemed to be favoring meal metaphors.
“Okay.” Faith backed off. Niki didn’t need Faith adding to her stress. “Anything else?”
“It’s a biggie. And if you think it will affect the business at all, you have to say so straight-out.”
Faith was mystified. Niki continued. “Could I use the kitchen here when we’re not doing a job? I thought maybe I could set up a dessert-catering Web site to bring in more money. Get Mom to spread the word about my cheesecakes at her bingo nights.”
Niki’s cheesecakes were truly delectable. Poetry even. Besides the traditional New York and strawberry-covered cakes in a variety of sizes, Niki also did praline, Amaretto, chocolate macadamia, and a new to-die-for pomegranate with a raspberry liqueur glaze. She was working on one for spring featuring Madagascar vanilla beans and toasted coconut.
“You didn’t even have to ask—and don’t worry about hurting business. Our customers almost always want full-service catering for dessert buffets—servers and people to clean up. This will be fun. I’ll help.”
“No you won’t. I’ll get Tricia. She wants to learn more about desserts. And of course I’ll use my own ingredients.”
“Look, it will all work out. You know me. I’m not Little Mary Sunshine, but we’ll get through this. And now, just for a little
“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” Niki said, “but not having to pay for day care will save a lot. It also gives me an excuse to keep my mother from taking over.”
Niki’s mother indeed was a force of nature, but Faith liked and admired her, even while she understood how hard it was for Niki to have such a controlling individual hovering over her life. “Smother Love” might have been coined for Mrs. Constantine. Which was why Faith doubted Niki could keep her condition secret. However, Niki’s brother was engaged and this could possibly deflect attention from Niki for a while, as his fiancée was only half Greek and her future mother-in-law was busy teaching her how to make all her future husband’s favorite dishes. The situation had caused Niki to mention recently that there really were gods up there on Mount Olympus.
“Phil must be over the moon,” Faith said, relaxing into their usual companionable mode.
Niki dipped her molasses sugar cookie into her milk and took a bite.
“I haven’t told him yet,” she mumbled.
The mode switched back.
“You haven’t told him! Niki, eventually he’s going to notice the patter of little feet.”
“I know, I know. The stick only turned blue yesterday, and yes, I was really, really happy. Then he called with his news, and by the time he got home, I’d decided this was not the time to lay it on the guy that he’d better be out there hustling up some bread because there was going to be an extra place at the table for a bunch of years. Besides, I have a job, which brings me to the reason I came by. Oh hell, I came to tell you, you know that, but I also came to ask you a favor.”
“Anything,” Faith said.
“First, I don’t want you to tell anyone I’m pregnant.”
“Not even Pix?”
“Especially not Pix.”
Ursula and now Niki. What was up with this? Poor Pix. Life was getting even stranger than usual.
“You know she can’t keep a secret. The first time she saw Phil, she wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye, would get all red, and he’d know something was going on.”
“Sweetie! Pix is away for almost two more weeks. You can’t keep this from him that long.”
“I’ll keep it from him as long as I want.” Niki jutted her chin out, all traces of tears gone. “I don’t want him to be distracted. He has enough on his plate without piling on a helping of fatherhood.” Niki seemed to be favoring meal metaphors.
“Okay.” Faith backed off. Niki didn’t need Faith adding to her stress. “Anything else?”
“It’s a biggie. And if you think it will affect the business at all, you have to say so straight-out.”
Faith was mystified. Niki continued. “Could I use the kitchen here when we’re not doing a job? I thought maybe I could set up a dessert-catering Web site to bring in more money. Get Mom to spread the word about my cheesecakes at her bingo nights.”
Niki’s cheesecakes were truly delectable. Poetry even. Besides the traditional New York and strawberry-covered cakes in a variety of sizes, Niki also did praline, Amaretto, chocolate macadamia, and a new to-die-for pomegranate with a raspberry liqueur glaze. She was working on one for spring featuring Madagascar vanilla beans and toasted coconut.
“You didn’t even have to ask—and don’t worry about hurting business. Our customers almost always want full-service catering for dessert buffets—servers and people to clean up. This will be fun. I’ll help.”
“No you won’t. I’ll get Tricia. She wants to learn more about desserts. And of course I’ll use my own ingredients.”
“Look, it will all work out. You know me. I’m not Little Mary Sunshine, but we’ll get through this. And now, just for a little
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