Book Clubbed Read Online Free Page A

“That’s wonderful. Oh, I’m so happy for both of you.”
    But Ginny didn’t move. She stood rock still.
    Tricia pulled back, studying Ginny’s face. “This is wonderful news. Why aren’t you happy?”
    â€œPart of me is happy,” she cried, “but most of me didn’t plan for this to happen for another couple of years.”
    â€œWhat does Antonio think about it?”
    Ginny looked away. “I haven’t told him.”
    â€œOh, Ginny.”
    Ginny waved her hands in the air as though to stop an oncoming scolding. “I can’t tell him. Not when I feel this way.”
    â€œOkay, so the timing isn’t what you’d originally planned, but you’ll make the best mama in all of Stoneham.”
    â€œBut what about the Happy Domestic?” she cried.
    â€œWhat about it?”
    â€œAs far as I’m concerned, it belongs to
me
. Maybe not on paper, but I’ve put my heart and soul into that store.”
    â€œAnd you’ve done a wonderful job—”
    â€œBut what if they take it away from me?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œAntonio and Nigela Ricita.”
    â€œWhy would they take it away from you?”
    â€œBecause,” she said and sat down at the island, placing her hands around the steaming mug, “I just have this feeling . . . maybe it’s the name of the store . . . the Happy Domestic. I don’t want them to force me to be just a housewife.”
    â€œWhat makes you think they’d do that?”
    â€œLet’s face it; the former owner didn’t have a happy domestic life. She and her husband fought about the business after their son arrived. And then a plane dropped out of the sky and killed her. What if the place is cursed?”
    â€œHey, I’m supposed to be the village jinx, not you,” Tricia reminded Ginny.
    â€œDeborah Black wasn’t good at juggling her business and her home life. What if I can’t do it, either?”
    Tricia sighed, exasperated. “I have faith in you. And if you’ll let them, I’m sure Antonio and Nigela Ricita will, too.”
    Ginny picked up her cup, blew on the hot liquid, and took a tiny sip. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not now. The timing just isn’t right.”
    â€œYou weren’t thinking of . . .” Tricia found she couldn’t even say the words.
    Ginny raised her gaze just a trifle, looking guilty. “I did . . . for about a second and a half. This is something I want. But not right now.”
    â€œWhy did you tell me first?” Tricia asked. “Are you looking for advice?”
    â€œNot exactly,” Ginny admitted, taking another sip. “I know what you’re going to say: ‘Talk to Antonio.’”
    â€œHe is your husband,” Tricia reminded her.
    â€œLike I could forget that,” Ginny said with a shadow of her old laugh.
    â€œTalk to him. I’m sure your fears are all blown out of proportion. It’s probably the hormones.”
    Ginny shrugged, and drank more of her cocoa. “I feel so selfish.”
    â€œMotherhood is a big responsibility,” Tricia said. “It will change your life, but not for the worse.”
    â€œYou think?”
    â€œI’m sure of it.”
    Ginny nodded wearily and tipped her head to take in the last of her cocoa. “I really need to get back to my store.”
    â€œMe, too.”
    The women set their dirty mugs in the sink and Ginny retrieved her coat before they headed to the stairs that took them back to Haven’t Got a Clue. Still seated in a chair in the nook, Pixie looked up over the top of her book. “Is everything okay?”
    â€œIt will be,” Tricia said and forced a smile. Before she and Ginny made it halfway to the exit, the door burst open and Nikki Brimfield-Smith entered.
    â€œI’ve got the most wonderful news!” she cried, zeroing in on Tricia and