She pointed at him. “Don’t start.”
The screen door opened again.
Maggie Scott stepped inside, a basket hooked over her arm, already taking everything in.
“Well now,” she said warmly. “Would you look at this.”
Behind her came Aunt Emma, slower but steady, her eyes soft as they moved over the lights.
“Oh, Burke,” she said. “This is just beautiful.”
Burke smiled, a little sheepish. “Still getting it there.”
“It’s already there,” she said.
Then she saw Izzy.
“Oh my goodness?—“
Izzy turned, smiling. “Emma.”
Emma crossed the space and pulled her into a warm hug.
“Look at you,” she said. “I was just saying I hoped we’d see you again.”
Izzy softened. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too, sweetheart.”
Maggie stepped beside them. “Welcome back to Sylva.”
“Thank you.”
Maggie’s gaze flicked briefly to Grant, then back to Izzy.
“Well,” she said lightly, “looks like you’ve been busy.”
Izzy gave a small shrug. “He volunteered me.”
Maggie’s brows lifted. “Did he now.”
Grant didn’t take the bait.
They moved easily after that.
Maggie adding to the table. Emma adjusting details. Jose and Ben hauling in chairs.
Burke stepping out to check timing.
The barn filling—not with noise, but with purpose.
Grant stood off to one side.
Watched it.
The lights. The table. His mother. Emma.
Izzy—right in the middle of it.
