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Tex watched Ted toddle off in the direction of the house and shook his head. So much for building a discreet bathroom and no one finding out about it. Soon the whole town would know, Ted being the inveterate blabbermouth that he was.

“Oh, darn,” he said, his sense of excitement having taken a considerable hit.

CHAPTER 6

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Vesta walked in through the sliding glass door and into her granddaughter’s living room. Even though she enjoyed these conversations with her son-in-law, what she enjoyed even more was to spend time with the latest addition to the Poole family roster.

“And how is my sweetheart?” she said as she leaned over the crib and took a closer gander at baby Grace.

“Asleep,” said Odelia curtly. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t wake her up, Gran.”

“Oh, I won’t wake her up, I promise,” said Vesta as she marveled at this clear evidence that God was still in his heaven and that all was well with the world. “Isn’t she just gorgeous?” she whispered. “Isn’t she the most gorgeous baby you’ve ever laid eyes on?”

“Yes, she is,” said Odelia. “Now stop crowding her and sit down.”

“I’m not crowding her,” said Vesta. “I’m just admiring her.” She took a load off her feet and dropped down on the couch next to her grandchild. “What, no cats?” she asked, glancing around. Usually Max and Dooley and the others couldn’t stay away from Odelia.

“They’ve been awfully quiet,” said Odelia. “Ever since Grace was born they’ve been walking on eggshells.”

“Which is a good thing, no? Making sure they don’t disturb the baby?”

“Yeah, but it’s more than that. It’s as if they still don’t know how to deal with the fact that this little family of two is now suddenly a little family of three.”

“And soon to be a little family of four?” Vesta cheekily inquired.

“Let’s wait and see how it goes with Grace,” said Odelia. “I’m not sure I’m dealing with this new situation all that well myself, to be perfectly honest.”

“Oh, you’re dealing with it just wonderfully. You’re a born mother, honey.” She patted her granddaughter’s knee. “Have you heard the latest? Tex has hired me to manage his spa. Isn’t that just great? And I have to say I’m bubbling with plans for the new addition.”

Odelia frowned at her.“New spa? What are you talking about?”

“The new spa he’s building in his backyard. Poole Spa& Pool. I coined the name, of course. Gotta have a catchy name.” She sighed with relish. “It’s going to be just great. First we’ll open her up to the neighborhood, of course, but if things go well, I think we might be able to service the entire town. Which means money will be flowing into the family coffers and before you know it we’ll all be rich!”

“How can Dad build a pool in his backyard? He doesn’t have the space.”

“Oh, he’s going to take over some of the land behind us.”

“He’s buying the land from Blake Carrington? I didn’t know he was selling.”

“We’re going to need plenty of parking space, of course, and dressing rooms, and a kiddie pool. Oh, this is exactly what this family needs right now: a project we can all tackle together. Marge will give up her job at the library, and Tex will drop his doctor’s practice. And you’re practically out of theGazette anyway…” She gave Odelia a thoughtful look. “I was thinking about offering Chase the pool guard job, though maybe if we build a fitness club he could be our resident fitness instructor instead. Do you think he’d drop his career as a cop for that?”

Odelia had been staring at her with open-mouthed admiration and Vesta couldn’t help but experience a sense of pride that she was putting her family on the map like this.

“It’s all because of Grace, of course,” she said, smoothing her tracksuit pants. “I was thinking we need to create a legacy, you know. And wellness is always going to be big business.” She glanced over to the crib where Grace was still sleeping peacefully. “I can just see her now. GraceKingsley: General Manager of Poole Spa& Pool. Though if her name had been Grace Poole it would have been even better, of course. Brand recognition is very important in this business.” She frowned. “Do you think Chase would mind if Grace took the Poole name instead? Mh?”

“Gran! Are you nuts!”

“Shh,” she said, placing a finger to her lips. “The baby.”

“God,” Odelia said, shaking her head for some reason.

Just then, the cats walked in through the pet flap, one after the other: Max, Dooley, Harriet and Brutus. Single file, like a procession of cats. They looked solemn, Vesta thought, as if they had something on their minds. She couldn’t think what it could be but she had a feeling they would soon find out.

The cat procession halted in front of them and Max was the first to speak.

“Odelia,” he said. “Gran. We have an important question for you.”