Pregnancy Countdown

2 cups sugar

½ cup margarine

½ cup shortening

1 cup strong brewed coffee or water (I use flavored coffee such as french vanilla or Bordeaux coffee.)

¼ cup cocoa

½ cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

Frosting

½ cup margarine

2 tbsp cocoa

¼ cup milk

3 ½ cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar. In heavy pan combine margarine, shortening, coffee or water and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling. Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in the large bowl. Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla. Mix well using wooden spoon or high speed on mixer. Pour into well-buttered 17" × ½" × 11" jelly roll pan. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until brownies are done in center.

While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In pan combine margarine, cocoa and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Mix in powdered sugar and add vanilla; stir until smooth. Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of oven. If you want thicker frosting, add half again, or double the ingredients.

Enjoy!

Contents

Chapter One (#uf74c5248-2fa6-53e7-8e70-55d4eed99a7e)

Chapter Two (#u7edc9b53-4e58-5d8a-905e-24d7d98ee002)

Chapter Three (#u4b929d91-c092-576b-8d95-707bf16cef2c)

Chapter Four (#ucc5b0adb-814e-5f1f-9a4f-62959fe2d4cb)

Chapter Five (#u20341033-27e1-5981-8d9e-47a7074e0a4a)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Nora Summers thought about how the day was meant to be spent. She would have been dressed in a lovely lilac gown with a circlet of flowers on her head. She would have been watching her best friend get married. She would have spent the afternoon eating cake, drinking champagne and dancing. She would have joined her friends in trying to catch the bridal bouquet and she would have cried happy tears as she watched her best friend and her new husband leave on their honeymoon.

Instead, today she bid a last goodbye to her beloved grandmother.

Nora’s flight home was delayed for almost six hours. The airport was quiet as the cranky passengers disembarked.

“I’ll be home soon,” she murmured to herself as she trudged up the corridor toward the terminal interior. “I will be in my very lovely soft bed where I will indulge in lots of sleep.”

She moved past people waiting for the arrivals. She stopped short when a familiar figure straightened up from a leaning position against a pillar and walked toward her.

Nora decided she was dreaming. Men wearing tuxedos weren’t a normal sight at airports at 1:00 a.m. Especially not this particular man whose wardrobe consisted of blinding Hawaiian-print shirts and shorts or jeans.

“Hey, Nora.” His smile was dazzling against his tanned skin. He reached out and took her carry-on bag from her, then switched it to his left hand while circling her waist with his right. He kissed her gently on the forehead.

She wrapped her arms around him. She felt the strength of his body under his clothing. There was comfort in the familiar lime scent mingled with the warm aroma of his skin. Hints of different perfumes were added to the mix. She guessed Mark had been a very popular guy at the wedding.

“Mark, what are you doing here?” She was tired enough to feel bewildered by his unexpected appearance.

“Ginna mentioned what time your flight was due in,” he explained as they walked through the terminal. “I thought you might appreciate a ride home.”

“I do appreciate it,” she admitted. “But my flight was delayed for almost six hours. You haven’t been here all that time, have you?”