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fearing the abortion argument between conservative Dora and liberal Carson would erupt again.
    Harper jumped in the fray. “She thought, as I did, that you’d decided not to have the baby.”
    Carson’s face was difficult to read. “I wasn’t aware that I’d decided anything.”
    â€œOh.” Harper picked up her mug and took a quick sip.
    An awkward silence followed, a sharp contrast to the easy banter of only moments earlier.
    Carson’s face changed, seeing her sisters’ confusion. “I went to talk with Lucille, the night she died.”
    â€œYou did?” Dora tilted her head to catch every word. “What did you talk about?”
    â€œOh, we talked about a lot of things. Mamaw, Blake, the baby . . .” Carson looked at her sisters. “You two.”
    They chuckled and muttered comments about what might have been said.
    Carson added, “It seems like it was just last night.”
    Dora sighed in commiseration. “I know. I miss her terribly. So does Nate.” She turned to Carson, truly interested. “So what did Lucille tell you?”
    â€œShe didn’t tell me what to do. That wouldn’t be her style. It was an emotional evening. I was teary and she was consoling.” Carson shook her head in disbelief. “She was the one dying, and she was consoling me.”
    â€œThat was Lucille,” said Dora.
    â€œLucille told me how she used to watch me surf.” Carson picked at her nail, trying to keep her voice level. “All these years and I never knew that.”
    â€œSounds like something she’d do,” said Dora.
    â€œShe and Mamaw both. We talked about the waves, and how when she watched me, she could tell that I knew instinctively how to move, where to place my feet to keep balance. She told me to remember that I had good instincts. And that I had to trust them. Now more than ever.”
    â€œWhat are your instincts telling you now?” Harper asked softly.
    Carson rested her hands over her belly. “My instincts are telling me to stop obsessing over this decision and to just be. To live and let live. This baby is here.” She patted her belly softly. “I’ll just have to work out the details as they come along.”
    There followed a moment’s stunned silence.
    â€œYou mean . . . you’re keeping the baby?” Dora asked.
    Carson nodded.
    Dora’s eyes widened as comprehension sank in. “We’re having a baby!” she hooted, clapping and practically bouncing in her chair.
    Carson put up her hand to still the explosion. “Let’s not start all that again. I’m trying to get used to the idea. You know me. Just the thought of being tied down to anything, anyone, makes me panic.” She put her hand to her heart. “Oh, God, my heart’s pounding at the thought. I’m not sure I’m ready. If I’ll ever be ready. I worry if somehow I’ll lose myself. Become invisible.”
    Dora grabbed her hand. “You won’t disappear. We won’t let you.”
    â€œYou’ll shine,” added Harper.
    â€œPromise me you’ll keep reminding me of that,” Carson entreated.
    Dora put her hands to her cheeks in wonderment. “We’re having a baby!”
    â€œSlow down, sister mine,” Carson admonished. “Let’s take it one day at a time, like you said.”
    Dora asked, “Does Blake know?”
    Carson shook her head. “And you’re not going to tell him. Or Devlin.”
    Dora opened her mouth to argue but, on second thought, snapped it shut.
    Dora’s come a long way, Harper thought, pleased to see her eldest sister showing some restraint where, only a short time earlier, she would have plowed full steam ahead with her unwanted advice.
    â€œOkay,” Harper said to Carson. “I guess I’ll pay you for the surfing lessons in advance. ”
    Carson laughed with resignation