Dad finally intervened. “Helen.”
“Yes, dear?”
“Stop matchmaking before someone chokes,” he gently advised.
She blinked, all innocence. “Matchmaking? I was just talking. Can’t we just have a simple conversation?”
“Talking,” I repeated dryly. “That’s one word for it.”
Dex’s gaze found mine across the table. For a heartbeat, our eyes locked, and the corner of his mouth curved with not quite a smile, but close. Mutual understanding passed between us, threaded with amusement. My irritation at my parents softened, just a fraction.
The rest of dinner unfolded more quietly. Jane and Braxton traded shy glances while clearing dishes. Dad poured himself a small glass of brandy. Mom hummed under her breath, undoubtedly planning seating charts for a wedding that didn’t exist. The flickering candles made everything look softer which probably didn’t help Mom’s romantic inclinations.
“Why don’t you gentlemen have a tour of the building with William while we ladies clean up? Then we can get to hanging the lights afterward,” Mom suggested.
I sighed. “Mom, we are not putting our guests to work.”
“I don’t mind,” Braxton cheerily volunteered.
Dex muttered something suspiciously like ‘I do’.
Dad rose. “Let’s escape while we can. Why don’t we see what is under one of those panels in the reception room?”
“Hopefully the wall underneath is in good condition,” Braxton replied with enthusiasm as the trio went out of the dining room.
Mom exhaled happily. “Such nice young men.”
“Mom,” Jane moaned. “Please stop.”
I smiled despite myself. “You are unbelievable.”
She winked, unapologetic. “And yet, I am almost always right.”
Maybe she wasn’t right about Jane and James, or about Dex and me, but sitting there, surrounded by candlelight, laughter and disaster, I had to admit she was right about one thing at least. Somehow, this impossible, crumbling, hopeful inn was starting to feel like home.
There were giggles in the hallway and I knew before I saw her that Kitty had arrived.
Chapter Six: Sisters
Dex
The sound of a door bursting open broke the quiet of the reception room.
“We’re here!” a voice sang, bright and confident enough to echo off the high ceiling. “Is there pie? Please say there’s pie. Jane?”
I turned from the wall I was prying open with a crowbar. A young woman bounded inside, tracking snow and joy in equal measure. She had curls tucked under a red knit hat and eyes that shone with the sort of mischief that warned of future chaos. A second girl followed her more cautiously, brushing snow from her shoulders with the deliberation of someone allergic to surprises.
“I told you to text before we arrived. You can’t just barge into people’s homes,” the second girl muttered.
“Family doesn't text. Family bursts through doors like a snowstorm of joy,” the first replied grandly.
“Family, also respects boundaries,” the second girl retorted firmly.
William Bennet laughed from his place by the step ladder he had been setting up. “These are two of my other daughters, Kitty and Meri.”
Kitty grinned as she gave her father an enthusiastic hug. “Mom told us there was excitement. She said there were walls coming down, and I thought, finally there’s something dramatic in our lives!”
“You came for gossip and food,” Meri corrected, removing her gloves neatly before giving William a more reserved embrace.
