“You convinced me,” Charity said kindly. “When you said no.”
PIA HAD SPENT THE REST of the day buried in work. Maybe it wasn’t the most mature way to handle heartbreak, but it sure cleared out her in-box. Now tired and ready to have some serious pity-party time, she walked home. As she entered her building, she heard a lot of people talking. The higher she climbed, the louder the noise got. She stepped out onto the landing to find most of her friends waiting for her.
Their arms were filled with packages and grocery bags. Liz spotted her first.
“Here she is.”
Everyone turned.
“Pia!” Montana hurried over. “Are you okay?”
From the various looks of concern, Pia realized that word had spread. Not just about the broken engagement, but about their practical but ultimately unworkable relationship.
All three triplets were there, along with Charity and Liz. Marsha held a basket filled with what looked like baby stuff. Denise Hendrix, several women from city hall, along with Bella and Julia Gionni, the feuding hairdressers.
Everyone crowded into her small apartment, pulling in chairs from the kitchen or settling on the floor.
“Jo wanted to be here,” Nevada told her, “but she has to work. She sends her love.”
Pia quickly realized no one expected her to provide anything for the impromptu party. There were plastic cups and paper plates, all kinds of food, from Chinese dumplings to taquitos. Wine was opened, along with sparkling water for Pia. She was settled in the center of the sofa, handed food and drink and surrounded with love.
“How are you doing?” Charity asked anxiously.
“Better now,” Pia admitted. “It’s been a tough day, but I know I did the right thing.”
“I don’t know. Marrying a guy worth millions seems like a smart decision, too,” Bella muttered.
Everyone laughed. Julia rolled her eyes at her sister and stayed on her side of the room.
“You did the right thing,” Montana assured her. “You have to marry for love. You deserve that. The proposal, the begging.”
“You need the begging,” Denise assured her. “Trust me. Courtship is the best time in a relationship for a woman. Marriage is the best time in a relationship for a man. Who gets their best time longer? So you need to make it last. Besides, you deserve someone who adores you, Pia.”
There were several nods of agreement.
“Do you want us to call him names?” Dakota asked helpfully. “Or have him beat up?” She frowned. “That might take two guys, but we can arrange it.”
Pia felt her eyes burning. She blinked away tears. “He hasn’t done anything wrong. Don’t forget, he wanted to take care of me. That’s a good thing. I’m not mad. I’m the one who changed the rules, not him.”
Julia shook her head. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a man beat up. I was hoping to watch.”
“There’s something wrong with you,” Bella snapped.
Denise raised one hand. “Ladies, it’s a testament to your love for Pia that you’re both here. Let’s not forget our purpose.”
The sisters grumbled at each other.
Charity, who sat next to Pia, leaned close. “I never did hear why they aren’t speaking. What’s the story?”
“No one knows. It’s a big secret.”
Charity grinned. “I thought Fool’s Gold didn’t have any.”
“There are a few.”
“We have many gifts,” Montana said, taking charge of the piles. “Most of this you can open later, but you should see this one now.”
She handed Pia a large white envelope. Pia set her plate of food on the coffee table and opened it. Inside were dozens of pieces of paper. Each one was from someone different. Most offered hours of babysitting or company after the babies were born. There were consultations for baby room decorating, the promise of a weekly massage from now until birth, coupons for free diaper service for the first three months and a sheet where the women in town had signed up to deliver dinners for the first six weeks she was home with the babies. Three flyers showed houses for rent.
This time she was unable to stop the tears. They spilled down her cheeks before she could brush them away.
“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “This is wonderful.”
“We all love you,” Denise told her. “And we want you to know that we’ll be there for you. No matter what.”
It might not be the romantic proposal she’d dreamed about, but it was damned close. These women and this town were going to take care of her. Pia allowed herself to accept the love offered and let it heal her shattered heart. Then she touched her belly and silently told her growing children that no matter what, they were going to be just fine.