“You will?” Roses’ eyes beamed with hope and admiration as she looked over to their guest. Did she perhaps have a small crush forming? Leah wouldn’t be surprised. Owen had always been kind to her, going out of his way to indulge her whims. He had a much different relationship with Rose than he did with herself. Rose had been only a very young child last time Owen came to visit them. But now that she was nearly ten years of age, she liked to think herself grown into a young lady.
“See, you do not need me. Mr. Turner has agreed to go.” Leah took another sip of tea before gently placing it back on the table.
“Youmustgo. If you don’t, then Cecily won’t.”
Leah ran her finger along the handle of her cup. “How many people do you need to go tobogganing?”
Rose straightened in her seat, apparently remembering she wished to change her overall appearance from a young girl to a more refined lady. Raising her chin, she delicately forked a small bit of egg. “It would be more fun with as many people as possible. Then we can race.”
Leah moved some food about her plate with her fork, letting her eyes flit to Owen. He was smiling smugly at her. “Oh come, Leah. Please? It’s for Rose.”
She narrowed her gaze. She had promised herself that she would try and get along with the man. Being petty was not a good quality and she was determined to move past it. “Fine.” She placed her fork down, sighing. “I will go. But you must allow me to enjoy my breakfast before rushing us all out the door.”
Rose stood from her seat, her chair screeching as it was shoved backwards from her abrupt stance. “Of course! I shall go and get ready at once.”
“Rose!” But it was too late. She was already running from the room to get changed.
Owen shook his head, his elbow on the edge of the table, his fork hanging limply from his hand over his plate as he smiled after Rose and her elated departure. “She likes to pretend she is a young lady, but she cannot fool me. She is the same little girl inside that she has always been.”
Leah studied him as he continued to gaze at the doorway, smiling. “What?” Her question was tentative and quiet.
He shook his head, finally looking back to his plate. “Oh, nothing. I just cannot believe how grown she is now.”
Her posture softened and she gave a shrug. “Yes. I suppose it has been some time since you’ve seen her.”
Cecily suddenly groaned from her seat by their mother. “This means I must go outside now. I had been hoping you would say no.”
Leah shook her head. “How could I? Did you see how excited she was?” Her food was growing cold, so she cut her ham up and took a small piece.
“Does this mean I must go as well?” Jonas leaned forward.
Owen shook his head. “Of course. What has happened to the lot of you? Usually, you would all jump at the chance for a toboggan race.”
“We are not little children anymore,” Jonas said, chuckling.
Owen gave an overdramatic sigh, pushing himself back from the table. “I must admit I am disappointed. I had envisioned a Christmas full of Thompson antics.”
Jonas’ smile widened and his laugh boomed in the room. “Well, perhaps that can be arranged. I will go. Miranda? Any chance we can convince you to join us?”
Miranda rolled her eyes, but seemed to mull over the idea, rubbing her chin as she thought. “Fine. I will do it. But only if Graham gets off his high horse for once and goes as well.”
“Tobogganing?” Graham shook his head. “That is asking for a broken leg.”
“A broken leg?” Owen furrowed his brow as his mouth smiled in amused confusion. “How intense do you think it will be?”
Graham leveled a serious stare. “Have you gone with this family before? It can be vicious.”
“Perfect!” Owen slapped his hand on the table, smiling broadly. “That is just what I was hoping for.”
“I think this is a splendid idea,” their mother said from her seat at the end of the table. “I shall have Mrs. Bowles make up some chocolate for when you are done. Then we can perhaps sing by the piano later?”
“Oh, and we could put on a play!” Cecily brightened at the prospect, looking about the table to gain confirmation from the rest of them.
“Yes to all of it,” Owen said.
Leah had to admit that Owen’s desire for things to be like they were all those years ago was making the weekend seem more appealing. It had been a while since they all put on a play together. She had always loved it, but the last two years they had slowly found excuses not to. She hadn’t even thought about it until now.
“Perhaps you could figure out the play, Leah?”
