First Impressions by Nora Roberts Page B

everything you’ve got.”
    The simplicity of the answer made Shane laugh. “You’re sure that’ll be enough?”
    “Yes,” Donna said so seriously that Shane sobered.
    “I hope you’re right,” Shane murmured, then shook off the doubts. “It’s a little late in the game to start worrying about it now. So,” she continued in a lighter tone, “what’s new besides Justine or Samuel?”
    After a moment’s hesitation, Donna plunged ahead. “Shane, I saw Cy the other day.”
    “Did you?” Shane lifted a brow as she sipped. “So did I.”
    Donna moistened her lips. “He seemed very . . . ah, concerned about your plans.”
    “Critical and concerned are entirely different things,” Shane pointed out, then smiled as the color in Donna’s cheeks deepened. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Donna. Cy’s never approved of any of my ideas. It doesn’t bother me anymore. In fact, the less he approves,” she continued slowly, “the more I’m sure it’s the right thing to do. I don’t think he’s ever taken a chance in his entire life.” Noting that Donna was busy gnawing on her bottom lip, Shane fixed her with a straight look. “Okay, what else?”
    “Shane.” Donna paused, then began running her fingertip around and around the rim of her cup. Shane recognized the stalling gesture and kept silent. “I think I should tell you before—well, before you hear it from someone else. Cy . . .”
    Shane waited patiently for a few seconds. “Cy what?” she demanded. Miserably, Donna looked up.
    “He’s been seeing quite a lot of Laurie MacAfee.” Seeing Shane’s eyes widen, Donna continued in a rush. “I’m sorry, Shane, so sorry, but I did think you should know. And I figured it might be easier hearing it from me. I think . . . well, I’m afraid it’s serious.”
    “Laurie . . .” Shane broke off and seemed to stare, fascinated, at the water dripping into the pot. “
Laurie MacAfee?
” she managed after a strangled moment.
    “Yes,” Donna said quietly, and she stared down at the table. “Rumor is they’ll be married next summer.” Donna waited, unhappily, for Shane’s reaction. When she heard the burst of wild laughter, she looked up, fearing hysterics.
    “Laurie MacAfee!” Shane pounded her palms on the table and laughed until she thought she would burst. “Oh, it’s wonderful; it’s perfect! Oh God. Oh God, what an
admirable
couple!”
    “Shane . . .” Concerned with the damp eyes and rollicking laughter, Donna searched for the right thing to say.
    “Oh, I wish I had known before so I could have congratulated him.” Almost beside herself with delight, Shane laid her forehead on the table. Taking this as a sign of a broken heart, Donna put a comforting hand on her hair.
    “Shane, you mustn’t take on so.” Her own eyes filled as she gently stroked Shane’s hair. “Cy isn’t for you. You deserve better.”
    The statement sent Shane into a fresh peal of laughter. “
Oh, Donna!
Oh, Donna, do you remember how she always wore those neat little coordinates to school? And she got straight As in home economics.” Shane was forced to take deep breaths before she could continue. “She did a term paper on planning household budgets.”
    “Please, darling, don’t think about it.” Donna cast her eyes around the kitchen, wondering if there were any medicinal brandy in the house.
    “She’ll have her own shoe trees,” Shane said weakly. “I just know it. And she’ll label them so they don’t get them mixed up. Oh, Cy!” On a new round of giggles, she pounded a fist on the table. “Laurie. Laurie MacAfee!”
    Almost frantic with concern, Donna gently lifted Shane’s face. “Shane, I . . .” With a jolt she saw that rather than being devastated, her friend was simply overcome with amusement. For a moment, Donna stared into round dancing eyes. “Well,” she said dryly, “I knew you’d be upset.”
    Shane howled with laughter. “I’m going to give them a