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Before we reach the front door, it opens and Bridget steps out. “Hello, darlings,” she says, arms open. “Welcome.”
She hugs me first, then Jamie, and by then Calum has joined us in the foyer, and the hugging continues.
We follow Jamie’s parents through the house to the spacious kitchen and family room in the back. The big table, which is designed to seat 12, is already set for the four of us.
“Have a seat,” Bridget says, gesturing to one end of the table as she heads for the stove. “Food’s ready. I’ll bring it over.”
“Can I help?” I ask.
“That’s all right, sweetheart,” Bridget says. “Just sit and relax. I’ve got it covered.”
Jamie pulls out a chair for me, and I sit. He sits beside me.
“What would you two like to drink?” Calum asks.
“Water for me, please,” I say. “Thanks.”
“I’m grabbing a beer,” Calum says. “Can I get one for you, son?”
While Calum’s getting our drinks, Bridget carries a large casserole dish to the table. “I made one of Jamie’s favorites—chicken and stuffing casserole.”
“Are you sure I can’t help?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says. “Now, help yourselves, both of you.”
After she brings over a basket of warm dinner rolls and a platter of roasted veggies, we dig in.
We’ve hardly begun eating when the front door opens and a force of nature waltzes into the house. “Mom!”
“In the kitchen, honey,” Bridget says.
A moment later, Jamie’s youngest sister, Lia, walks in with her husband, Jonah Locke, who is following at a much more sedate pace.
“We saw you guys pull up,” Lia says to me. “Oooh, is that the chicken and stuffing?”
“Yes,” Bridget says. “Get yourselves some plates and join us.”
“You don’t need to ask me twice,” Lia says as she pulls two plates from the kitchen cupboard.
Jonah grabs utensils and the two of them join us.
“So, how’s it going, Molly?” Lia asks as she reaches for the serving spoon in the casserole dish. “Selling lots of paintings?”
“It’s going well, and yes, I’ve sold a number of paintings lately.”
Jamie snags a roll from the basket. “She was just commissioned for three paintings to hang in the state house.”
“Ooh, fancy,” Lia says as she hands her husband a roll.
When the doorbell rings, I bite back a chuckle. I swear, the McIntyres have built-in radar when it comes to family gatherings. Even impromptu ones.
The door opens, and a moment later Aiden runs into the kitchen. “Hi, Grandma!” he says as he gives Bridget a hug. Then he looks right at Jamie and me. “Daddy said he saw Uncle Jamie and Aunt Molly.” He eyes the food on the table. “Can I eat with you?”
“Sure,” Lia says as she motions for her nephew to take the open seat next to her.
A moment later, Jake and his wife, Annie, walk into the kitchen. Each has a twin baby girl perched on a hip. Now that the twins are a bit older, it’s easier to tell them apart. Everly’s hair is slightly darker than Emerly’s. And Emerly’s hair is a bit curlier than her sister’s. They both have big, beautiful dark eyes like their father.
Emerly squeals when she sees Bridget, throws out her little arms, and tries to launch herself at her grandma.
