The dining room buzzed with activity, the long table already set for dinner. Elowyn introduced me to her husband, Luke, who was carrying serving dishes from the kitchen. Belle set silverware at each plate while Jack and Lucas argued about seating arrangements.
“And this is Fiona Bannock, my grandmother,” Finn guided me toward a woman with white hair pulled into a bun, sitting at the far end of the table. “Móraí, meet Alex.”
Móraí studied me with sharp eyes, looking me over before nodding approvingly.
“So, you’re the one,” she smiled, her voice carrying a slight Irish accent. “Finn’s told us you’re quite something.”
“Thank you for having me,” I couldn’t help smiling in return. “Your ranch is beautiful.”
“It’s been in the family for generations. Good to see it’s still bringing the right people together.”
“Alex!” Belle spotted me and immediately abandoned her task. “Did you see the lodge? Isn’t it pretty? Mom and Grandma designed most of the guest rooms themselves.”
“It’s gorgeous,” I meant it completely. “You have incredible taste.”
“Belle, let them get settled,” Elowyn chided gently, though she looked pleased by the compliment. She gestured to two chairs midway down the table. “Alex, we’ve got you here next to Finn, if that works.”
Finn helped me with my chair before sitting beside me, his hand briefly touching my shoulder. Maggie circled twice before settling herself on the floor between our chairs.
Nolan appeared with a platter full of grilled chicken and steak kabobs layered with sliced vegetables. “Hope everyone’s hungry,” he took his place at the head of the table.
Everyone passed dishes and filled plates as the conversation flowed between ranch and lodge business, observations about the day, and the easy teasing of family affection.
“So Alex,” Luke said, carefully sliding chicken and peppers off his skewer, “do you have any kids?”
“Luke, darling,” Elowyn said quietly.
Finn’s hand settled gently on my knee under the table. “No kids,” I smiled, keeping my voice warm despite the familiar tightness the question always brought. “Just me and my very demanding job.”
“What kind of job?” Lucas bit into his corn on the cob.
“Animation, remember?” Belle practically bounced in her chair as she answered for me. “And games! Legends of Heliox means she knows Uncle Dom!”
“Wait, really?” Jack turned to stare at me with new respect. “You know Uncle Dom?”
“Alex is Uncle Enzo’s sister,” Finn grinned, amusement clear in his voice. “She introduced him and Uncle Dom.”
“Woah…” Jack’s eyes grew large as his fork paused halfway to his mouth.
“Uncle Enzo said that’s how Uncle Finn met Alex,” Belle added. “At their engagement party.”
“Is that so?” Móraí’s eyes twinkled with interest.
“It is,” Finn glanced at me with a soft expression. “Best introduction I ever got.”
The way he said it made my cheeks warm. I reached for my water glass, needing something to do with my hands.
“She reallyispretty, Uncle Finn,” Lucas announced suddenly. “Just like you said she was.”
The table went quiet for a beat and I felt my ears grow hot. Finn had talked about me, called me pretty to his family.
Finn’s cheeks darkened slightly, but he didn’t look embarrassed.
“Lucas Harrison,” Elowyn was trying not to smile.
“What?” Lucas looked around the table in confusion. “He did! He said she was pretty and smart and made him laugh.”
“You did?” I whispered, meeting Finn’s eyes across the small space between our chairs.
