If the Stick Turns Pink... by Carla Cassidy Page A

food to drop through.
    Mellie looked at him in surprise. “No, they won’t,” she protested. “Everyone will think it’s wonderful that we were able to call an end to our marriage and still remain the best of friends.” She took a bite of her spaghetti, then continued. “Besides, eventually I’ll marry my dream man and he’ll love me to distraction and we’ll live happily ever after.”
    Bailey snorted. “You’d think that in all the years we’ve been friends I would have been able to convince you of the truth—that there is no happily-ever-after when it comes to marriages. But you continue to live in a fantasy despite my wanting to educate you to the truth.”
    She laughed. “You just wait, Bailey. Someday I’m going to find a man who loves me, a man I love, and he’ll want a houseful of children and a porch swing,” she added pointedly.
    He laughed and reached for another piece of garlic bread. “The first time you see a porch swing hanging in front of my house, be looking for the men in white suits to escort me to the nearest insane asylum. A porch swing could only mean I’ve completely lost my mind.”
    â€œAnd that, my dear Bailey, is why you are my very best friend and not my dream man,” Mellie replied.
    Bailey nodded, relieved that the fact that they’d made love hadn’t made her go all silly on him. Their plan was still intact, and after she got pregnant, they would part amicably and remain the best of friends for the rest of their lives.
    Â 
    They had just finished with the dishes when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Melanie said. She left the kitchen and hurried to the front door.
    SueEllen Trexlor stood on the porch, a huge smile on her attractive face and a large box in her arms. “Hey, Melanie. I’m sorry I couldn’t be at your wedding reception last night, but I thought I’d drop by and bring you and Bailey the present I bought for you.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to do that,” Melanie protested.
    â€œWell, of course I did.” SueEllen’s smile exposed most of her perfect, white teeth. “You and Bailey are two of my most favorite people in the whole wide world.”
    This, from a young woman who had never before given Melanie the time of day. Melanie had a feeling SueEllen wanted that Miss Dairy Cow crown badly enough to make nice with the judge’s wife.
    Melanie stepped aside to allow SueEllen to enter the living room. She raced over to the coffee table and set the box on top. “Whew, that’s heavy.”
    Without the box in her arms, Melanie now saw that SueEllen was clad in a denim skirt the size of a cerealbox and a midriff top that exposed an expanse of tanned, firm stomach.
    â€œBailey,” Melanie yelled, wondering where he had disappeared to, “we have company.”
    He appeared from the direction of the bedrooms, and Melanie suspected his intent had been to hide from the big-haired brunette. But there was no way Melanie was going to entertain their guest alone.
    â€œLook who’s here,” she exclaimed.
    â€œHi, SueEllen.” Bailey offered her a faint smile and moved to Melanie’s side, as if unconsciously seeking Melanie’s protection against the big bad beauty queen wannabe.
    â€œHey, Bailey. So, how is married life treating you?”
    â€œFine…just fine.” He threw an arm around Melanie’s shoulder. “I’ve never been so happy.”
    SueEllen clapped her hands together. “Oh, I’m just so happy for you both. I just love it when the special people in my life find happiness together.”
    Special people in her life? Melanie fought the impulse to laugh. The only special person in SueEllen’s life was SueEllen.
    â€œI had to find the perfect gift for you,” she continued as she moved to the large box on the coffee table. “It took most of my tips to buy