Leo and Estelle were introduced next, with little Adara tucked close to Estelle’s side, before introducing Meryl to her plush dragon, Fizz. Matt came to say a quick hello before heading back to the kitchen, while Tessa sat talking with Caleb and Hannah near the far end of the table.
It was a lot. Not impossible. Just... a lot.
“And this,” Spencer said quietly beside her, “is my dad.”
Thaddeus Thornberg was broad-shouldered, with Spencer’s build and an older version of his eyes and the same warm smile.
“Spencer tells us you’re fixing up Hilda’s place,” he said.
“I’m trying,” Meryl answered.
“From what Spencer tells us, you’re doing a great job.” His gaze flicked briefly toward Spencer, then back to her. “Hilda would be happy you’re taking care of the place.”
Before she could think of what to say, she felt Spencer’s hand settle lightly at the small of her back. Not possessive. Just there. Enough to steady her.
“This might help,” said a voice beside her.
Meryl turned to find Isla holding out a glass of wine.
“That obvious I need help?” Meryl asked, taking it with gratitude.
“I know how overwhelming it can be,” Isla replied kindly.
“It is.” Meryl took a sip of wine.
“They’re a wonderful family,” Isla added, glancing around the room. “And they’d do anything for anyone.”
“They all seem nice.” Meryl winced. Nice didn’t really do the Thornbergs justice.
Thankfully, Percy appeared at Isla’s elbow with the pent-up urgency of a child who had clearly been waiting for a break in the adult conversation.
“Have you seen the courtyard?” he asked Meryl.
“No.”
His whole face lit up. “You have to. Come on.”
He reached for her hand with complete certainty that she would follow him, and something about that certainty made refusing feel almost ridiculous.
Isla’s mouth twitched. “You’ve been claimed. Best go.”
The courtyard was tucked behind the restaurant, filled with raised beds of herbs and flowers. There were tables beneath climbing roses, and the scent of jasmine filled the air.
Percy took his role as guide seriously.
“This is the herb bed,” he told her. “And over there are the tomatoes, but Leo grows the best tomatoes in his greenhouse. And that corner’s best because if you turn over the stones sometimes there are beetles.”
“I see,” Meryl said gravely. “A very important scientific area.”
“It is.”
Adara appeared a moment later, lingering in the doorway before coming to join them. Percy made a point of saying hello to Fizz, and together they began showing Meryl every detail they considered worthy of notice: the rosemary, the thyme, the little worn path between the beds, a flower they both insisted looked better at night, and one particular patch of earth where Percy was convinced something prehistoric-looking had once lived.
Meryl found herself enjoying herself immensely as they recounted stories about life in Bear Creek.
“And Uncle Spencer carved a wooden door for my fairy house,” Adara said.
“He did?” Meryl asked.
