Special Delivery by Danielle Steel Page A

collection of beautiful women who had filed through his life since she'd been there. Yes, it is. Their eyes met as he nodded, and he looked happier and younger than she had ever seen him.
    Wow! That's pretty impressive. The kids'll be pleased, won't they?
    I think so, but Amanda doesn't. We're going to wait a while to see how it goes before we tell them. He asked her to make reservations for them then, in the presidential suite at the Fairmont, and an appointment with the realtor for the space on Post Street.
    They flew up to San Francisco on Friday afternoon, and as she walked through the fabulous suite with the unforgettable view, it felt like a honeymoon to Amanda. They had dinner at Fleur de Lys the first night, and room service on the second. And on Saturday they went to look at the commercial space, and he got excited about it in spite of himself. Despite the inevitable headaches of opening a new store, he was falling in love with the idea of bringing Julie's to San Francisco, and he said as much to Amanda.
    I must be nuts to even contemplate the headaches that go with it, at my age. But lately he had been feeling about half his age, ever since he'd been with Amanda. And he couldn't stop talking about ideas for the new store, the architecture, the decor, the subtly different merchandise he wanted to sell here. He felt like a kid again, and he had always had a soft spot for San Francisco.
    He wouldn't really mind spending some time there, particularly if Amanda joined him. They talked about it as they walked back to the hotel from Union Square. It was a steep walk up the hill, and they were breathless but exhilarated when they got back to the Fairmont. He was in great spirits, and so was she, especially when they went back to bed for the rest of the morning.
    She hated to leave on Sunday afternoon. It had been the perfect weekend, and on Monday she had lunch with her daughters at the Bistro. Louise was looking well, but Jan seemed very down, and Amanda was worried that she had had bad news from her doctor. But before she could ask her daughters anything, they both commented on how well she looked.
    You look terrific, Mom, Jan said, looking relieved. She had been worried about her again ever since New Year's. Maybe it had just been a bad morning, but her mother's behavior had been so odd.
    Thank you, sweetheart. So do you. But Jan's eyes looked so sad. They were halfway through lunch before she decided to talk about it.
    Well, Paul finally went to the doctor, she said, after a pause, and then tears filled her eyes as she continued. Amanda reached out and touched her hand, and for once even Louise looked worried about her.
    And? her sister prompted her. Is he sterile?
    No, she said, wiping away a tear, he's fine. And so am I. They have no idea why we haven't gotten pregnant. They just said it might take more time, or maybe it'll never happen. They said that even perfectly healthy people don't get pregnant sometimes. No one knows why. I guess it's just not meant to happen. She started to cry and Amanda reached into her handbag for a tissue. Jan blew her nose and then sighed and went on. Maybe we'll just never have kids. I asked Paul about adoption again, and he said he'd rather not have children. He only wants a baby that's part of his biological family, so that rules out any kind of adoption. She looked devastated and Amanda's heart felt as though it were breaking.
    He might change his mind, sweetheart. And you might still get pregnant. I'm sure you will. Sometimes it takes people a very long time. And then you'll probably have four in a row and wish you could stop it. They both tried to cheer her up, but it was obvious from the way she looked at them that Jan didn't believe them. And when Amanda told Jack about it that night, he was sorry for both of them.
    Poor kids. Christ, and when I think of all the times I've teased him. He must be ready to kill me.
    I don't know if he's as upset about it as she is, Amanda said