“I’m sorry,” Dakota said, trying to keep the humor out of her voice. “I won’t be funny again.”
“I don’t believe you. But that’s not the point. I can’t do this.” Her mother covered her face with her hands. “What was I thinking? I’m too old to do this. The last time I dated, dinosaurs roamed the earth. We didn’t even have electricity.”
Dakota knelt in front of her and pulled her hands away from her face. “I happen to know nearly all the dinosaurs were extinct and there was electricity. Come on, Mom. You know you want to do this.”
“No, I don’t. It’s not too late to cancel, right? I can cancel. You could call and tell him I have some kind of typhoid fever. Imply that it’s very contagious and I’m going to be shipped off to one of those federal medical facilities in Arizona. I hear the dry air is very good for typhoid fever.”
Just then, Dakota heard voices in the hall. “Are we too late?” Montana called. “I don’t want to miss the fun part.”
Montana and Nevada entered the bedroom. They looked around at the array of clothing and accessories.
“I didn’t hear about a tornado on the news,” Nevada said cheerfully. “Was anyone hurt?”
“I can see I raised you girls with too much freedom and affection,” their mother snapped. “I should have repressed you more. Maybe then you’d treat me with more respect.”
“We love you, Mom,” Nevada said. “And we respect you. I didn’t know you had this many clothes.”
Dakota chuckled. “Don’t go there. She’ll bite your head off.”
Montana lifted Hannah from the playpen and cuddled with her. “Who’s a pretty girl? We’re going to ignore all those sniping grown-ups, aren’t we?”
“I was telling your sister that I can’t do this,” Denise said. “I can’t go on a date. We were discussing telling him I have typhoid fever.”
Nevada rolled her eyes. “Right. Because he’ll never guess you’re lying if you say that. Come on, Mom. It’s one evening. You need to get out there and see if you’re interested in dating. Right now it’s just a theory. If it’s horrible, you never have to go again. Besides, you’re making us all nuts. None of us are dating.” She glanced at Dakota. “Well, Dakota might be. No one can pin her down on her relationship with Finn. For all we know, they’re running off to the Bahamas tomorrow to get married.”
“You’re getting married?” her mother asked.
Dakota sighed. “Don’t pretend to be distracted by something you know isn’t true. Nevada is right. Try the date.” She carefully avoided asking what the worst was that could happen. That question never went well.
“Who’s the guy?” Montana asked, still holding Hannah.
“A friend of Morgan’s,” Denise said.
“We like Morgan,” Nevada said. “That’s a good sign.”
Denise stood and pressed her hands against her stomach. “His friend may be nothing like him. He may be a serial killer. Or a cross-dresser.”
“At least you have enough clothes to support his habit,” Montana offered.
Dakota and Nevada laughed. Their mother glared at them.
“You’re not helping,” Denise informed them. “I’m going to have to ask you three to leave. Hannah can stay. She’s very supportive.” She looked at the little girl. “Never have daughters. Trust me. They only break your heart.”
Nevada walked to the bed and stared at the clothes strewn across it. After a second she reached into the mess and withdrew a white-and-blue floral print wrap dress.
“Wear this,” she said. “It will work nearly anywhere. You look great in it and it’s comfortable. It’s perfect for the season. You have those gorgeous blue shoes. He’ll be wildly impressed.”
Denise stared at the dress, then at the three of them. “Really?”
Dakota nodded. “You know how I hate to admit that Nevada is right, but this time she is. That dress is perfect. You’ll look lovely, and more important, you’ll feel good.” She walked over to her mom and put her arm around her. “I know this is scary, but it’s important. Dad’s been gone for nearly eleven years. It’s okay for you to move on. You deserve to be happy.”
Her mother drew in a shaky breath. “Okay,” she said. “I’ll go on the date and I’ll wear the dress. My makeup is done and this is as good as my hair is going to look. So all I have to do is get dressed.” She glanced at the clock. “Oh, God. I have two hours until he gets here. I think I’m going to be sick.” She waved her hands in front of her face. “Quick. I need a distraction. Somebody say something that will make me forget I even have a date.”
Montana and Nevada looked at each other and shrugged, as if they didn’t have anything to offer. Dakota figured this was as good a time as any to spill her news.
“I’ll give it a try,” she said with a smile. “Mom, I have something to tell you. I’m pregnant.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN