First Impressions by Nora Roberts

be the busiest time if I manage to lure in any tourists. Between sales and bookkeeping, inventory and the buying I have to do, I won’t be able to manage alone. If I’m going down,” she murmured, “I’m going down big.”
    â€œI’ve never known you to do anything halfway,” Donna observed with a trace of admiration vying with concern. “I’d be scared to death.”
    â€œI am a little scared,” Shane admitted. “Sometimes I imagine this place the way it’s going to look, and I see customers coming in to handle merchandise. I see all the rooms and records I’m going to have to keep . . .” She rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “What makes me think I can handle all that?”
    â€œAs long as I can remember, you’ve handled everything that came your way.” Donna paused a moment as she considered Shane carefully. “You’re going to try this no matter how many pitfalls I point out?”
    A grin had Shane’s dimples deepening. “Yes.”
    â€œThen I won’t point out any,” Donna said with a wry smile. “What I will say is that if anyone can make it work, you can.”
    After frowning into her cocoa, Shane raised her eyes to Donna’s. “Why?”
    â€œBecause you’ll give it everything you’ve got.”
    The simplicity of the answer made Shane laugh. “You’re sure that’ll be enough?”
    â€œYes,” Donna said so seriously that Shane sobered.
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œDid you?” Shane lifted a brow as she sipped. “So did I.”
    Donna moistened her lips. “He seemed very . . . ah, concerned about your plans.”
    â€œCritical 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?”
    â€œShane.” 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.
    â€œHe’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.”
    â€œLaurie . . .” Shane broke off and seemed to stare, fascinated, at the water dripping into the pot. “
Laurie MacAfee?
” she managed after a strangled moment.
    â€œYes,” 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.
    â€œLaurie 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