“Geez, you three are worse than a conscience,” he grumbled.
Harper got up and put her head on his leg.Laughing, he scratched her behind the ears.“You know I love you; I’m just blowing off steam.I’m doing it.See?”
Fifteen minutes later, he still hadn’t finished, though.All three dogs were again sitting up and staring at him.
“I don’t know what to say, okay?It’s easy when I write about you guys.You, I get.Her… I don’t know.”
Harper barked and Jack and Sadie turned their backs on him.Harper came closer, not taking her eyes off him.
“You haven’t even met her.Maybe you won’t like her.She wants a cat, did you know that?”
But not even the word ‘cat’ would budge the dogs.He’d have to finish posting this, words and all, or he’d have sulking dogs for days.
Chapter Six
Sunday lunch withAnnie and her extended family was fun and relaxing.By the time they’d finished eating, Ellie had become firm friends with the two children.Dylan—the five-year-old son of Annie’s sister-in-law, Riley—and Jane—Aiden and Vivian’s nearly two-year-old—were delightful.Jane had found a pillow and had fallen asleep in spite of the talking and laughter around the table.It was also heartwarming to see three couples who were so much in love they couldn’t seem to keep their hands to themselves.
This kind of love between two people had not been something she’d experienced as a small girl.The little she remembered from the first five years of her life, when she’d lived with her parents, was vague but the sense of foreboding, of dread, the fear in the pit of her stomach, wasn’t something she’d ever forget.
To her surprise, all three men got up after lunch and started clearing the table.
Janice winked when she saw her expression.“They’ve been trained well.”
Aiden bent down and kissed Vivian’s temple.“For this woman I’ve crossed state lines.A few dishes I do with love.”
Vivian touched his face and for a moment they were lost in each other.
Ellie swallowed against the lump in her throat.If she could be certain she’d have this kind of love with someone, she’d marry the guy immediately.But how did you know?
Vivian got up.“Ellie, while the boys are busy and Jane is sleeping, shall we go and look at Gloria’s house?”
“Oh, yes,” Annie said.“I love looking at houses.”Everyone got up.
“It would be interesting to see what they’ve done with the place,” Riley said.“I know they renovated the house, but I’ve never seen the end result.”
“It’s really beautiful,” Vivian said as they left the house.
It was a glorious summer’s day.As they turned on to the road, someone called out from behind them.They all stopped and looked around.
“Hi!”Janice waved.“It’s Arlene and her children.”
Ellie’s heart dropped straight to the ground the moment she noticed Becket.Oh, my goodness.She hadn’t thought she’d see him again so soon; she wasn’t ready to face him.
Fortunately, Laura rushed closer and enveloped her in a hug, giving her time to regain her composure.“I’m so happy to see you,” Laura said.“I was hoping to stop by your shop one morning after Tuesday night’s book club, but now that it’s Summer Break, I love sleeping a little bit later.”
“Ah,” Willow grinned.“So that’s why Hayden seems to be late for everything lately.”
“We’re on our way to Gloria’s house,” Vivian said.“Ellie is looking for a place to rent.Would you like to join us?You’re all invited for coffee at our place afterward.”
“Ooh, that’s sounds lovely,” Arlene said.
“The men are doing dishes,” Riley said.“If you boys would rather join them?”
“Oh, no, thanks,” Hayden chuckled.“We’ve just had our turn doing dirty dishes.Laura and I have been talking about renovating the kitchen and bathrooms in our house.Maybe we can get some ideas.”
“And my mom is going to change my room as well.I’m a big boy now,” Luke said as he took Laura’s hand.
Ellie smiled.Laura had been Luke’s teacher when she’d met Hayden.She loved reminding everyone she’d fallen in love with the little boy long before she fell for his dad.
