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With his oak brown hair, sculpted features, and hazel eyes, he earned thehandsome.
“Nice to finally meet you. Even though you’re partially responsible for Anna working longer hours.”
“Sales are up!” Anna said.
“I think that’s the art and artist’s fault. Let me take your coats.”
“At least one of us was close behind. Saw the headlights. Oh, it’s a convoy of Doyles. We’re never late for dinner.”
Doors slammed upstairs.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Seth glanced up as Anna laid a hand on her belly.
“I visited Collin with Anna a few times, but never heard…”
“I hope you can ignore it. I’m so glad all of you could come.”
Ace and Paula came next, bearing flowers. They made a striking couple, he with his flirtatious smile, she with her easy elegance and short, sleek swing of white hair. Then Deuce and Corrine, who offered a bottle of wine.
Corrine, with eyes of blue steel and silver-streaked black hair, nearly matched her husband’s height.
Then Trey—more flowers—came in behind them, and it occurred to her she should have invited him to bring a plus-one.
But found she couldn’t regret not doing so.
Besides, he’d brought Mookie, who made Yoda delirious with joy.
Within minutes, the kitchen filled with people, voices, flowers, wine.
Something slammed hard overhead.
“Someone’s at it again,” Corrine said easily. “Does it worry you?”
“I’m learning to live with it.”
Corrine nodded, popped an olive. “Can I say—well, I’m going to—the house feels different with you in it. Not like a widower too often alone, but younger and fresher. And sexist or not, just a bit female. So here’s to you. The lady of the manor.”
“Thank you,” Sonya said as glasses lifted. “I love it. I’ll love it even more, I think, when my friend moves in.”
“The illustrator.” Paula nodded and smiled. “We hear all there is to hear.”
“Know all there is to know.” Ace wiggled his eyebrows. “And I know something in here smells good enough to eat.”
“Let’s hope so. I’m not much of a cook.” She gestured toward the dining room. “Ace, please take the head of the table. Trey, could you give me a hand? It’s a big platter.”
When she opened the oven, he took one look, then gave her a long one. “You made that?”
“Through my terror, yes. I’m going to open more wine, and get the gravy. And the rolls. Almost forgot the rolls. And I thought I could lure the dogs into the living room with a couple of chew bones.”
“I already did that. They’re settled.”
She glanced around, realized no dogs roamed underfoot.
When Trey carried the platter in, she heard Ace’s “Now, that’s what I call a roast!”
She brought in the rest.
