The Friends We Keep

The Friday before Christmas was warm and sunny. It might be snowing across much of the country but on the Southern California coast, there was never going to be a white Christmas, and that was how the natives liked it.

Gabby looked at the green shiny bow Kenzie had tied around Boomer’s neck and gave it about five seconds before the dog figured out a way to remove it. Jasmine, sensing trouble, and impending company, had hidden under the bed in the master.

“Hurry up,” Andrew called. “I need pictures of my girls.”

The twins were dressed in plaid dresses for the party. Makayla wore a plain black dress that did its best to conceal her condition. But she was far enough along to make that an impossible job. To celebrate the season, she had on a little crown of red-and-green glitter with ribbons that trailed down her back.

Gabby wore a festive lightweight sweater over black ankle pants. She’d managed to lose the rest of the weight she wanted. Helping Makayla eat right had been a big part of it, as were the twice-weekly killer classes she took with Nicole.

Andrew took several pictures, then released them as the doorbell rang. The Masons were the first to arrive. Jill and Carson hugged everyone. The young couple from Maine had been even better in person than they’d been in their paperwork. The first meeting, in October, had gone so well, there had been two more. They’d wanted to spend time with Makayla at the holidays and had flown out three days ago. They were heading home to Maine in the morning. Jill would return the week of Makayla’s due date and stay until baby Michael was born.

Makayla hadn’t wavered in her desire to give up her baby. In fact meeting the Masons had seemed to cement her decision. She was doing well with her studies and looking at different colleges. What could have been a disaster for all of them had turned out to be the oddest blessing ever.

Andrew got everyone drinks while Gabby took a very sad Boomer to the master. The dog was given a new rawhide bone to ease his loneliness. She returned downstairs to find that Hayley, Rob and Noah had arrived.

“You look great,” she told the boy. He ran his hand over the inch of new hair that had grown in.

“I’m thinking I’ll be getting a call from a modeling agency any day now. Because I’m so handsome.”

Gabby laughed and hugged him. “I’m sure you will. But you’ll have to tell them no. There’s no way Hayley and Rob would let you out of their sight.”

Noah looked at his foster parents. “Yeah. Isn’t that the best?”

Gabby pointed Noah toward the far end of the room where Makayla sat with the twins, Jill and Carson. Noah picked up a soda on his way over. Hayley linked arms with Gabby.

“Doesn’t he look good? His last checkup was perfect.”

“He’s doing great. You all look so happy.”

“We are,” Hayley told her. “The adoption is moving forward. It’s going to take close to a year, but that’s okay. He’s with us until it’s final.” She beamed. “Then we’re stuck with him forever.”

“That is so wonderful.”

“It’s not what I expected, and that’s okay. It’s so much better.”

Andrew let in more guests. Pam arrived, along with Shannon and Adam. Nicole, Jairus and Tyler were right behind them.

Gabby dragged Hayley over to greet them. “Did you do it?” she demanded.

Nicole held up her left hand. Nestled against the diamond solitaire was a slim, platinum band. Gabby shrieked.

“You did it! You eloped!”

“Last weekend,” Nicole admitted. “We took Tyler and ran off to Lake Tahoe. It was wonderful.”

Gabby wanted to hear all about it, but this wasn’t the time. Still, she hugged her friend, then Jairus and finally Tyler.

She crouched down in front of the boy. “Does this mean Brad is your brother?”

He beamed. “Uh-huh. I’m lucky.”

“Good news?” Andrew asked.

Nicole showed him the ring.

“Congratulations.” He hugged her and shook Jairus’s hand. “A little bird told me it was a possibility, so we have some champagne ready. Let me get it out and then you two can make the announcement.”

When the glasses had been filled, everyone gathered around. Gabby looked at her friends and family and knew this was a year she would never forget. They’d all been through so much. Tragedy had turned to joy and what had once seemed broken had been made whole.

She raised her drink to the happy couple and let her gaze shift to her husband. Andrew tipped his glass toward her and winked. The twins gathered close, as did Makayla. Her family, she thought with gratitude. Three beautiful daughters, a circle of friends and a promising future. For all of them. Honestly, it didn’t get any better than that.

*

Keep reading for an excerpt from DAUGHTERS OF THE BRIDE by Susan Mallery.





           THE

FRIENDS

WE

KEEP

    Susan Mallery

    Reader’s Guide





Questions for Discussion Please note: these questions contain spoilers. You should wait to read them until after you’ve finished the book.