Page 39 of Wood You Knot

“I hope so,” I replied as we walked into the kitchen to find Auntie Em, Madeline, and Livia all gathered around the island. Livia had a glass of wine in hand, while Madeline was preparing a salad and Auntie Em was checking on her oven-roasted potatoes and the steamed green beans on the stove.

Madeline and Livia hugged me, then Livia offered to pour me a glass of wine. “Sure, just a small one, though.”

“Morning, Sage!” Auntie Em said, covering the potatoes with a lid to keep them warm. “How did the planning committee meeting go?”

“It went good, we planned things,” I answered, feeling a little put on the spot. Thinking about last night made me think about how I’d felt sitting beside Nix in his truck, and I needed to avoid that thought. “Where’s Daphne?”

“Outside with Dad and the guys,” Madeline replied, tilting her head toward the sliding door. I could see Daphne by the barbecue with Uncle Ed and two men I recognized from Madeline and Livia’s social media posts. “Dad’s teaching her how to grill the perfect ribs.”

“Excellent, one of us should learn how to barbecue,” I took a small sip of wine. “How are you both?”

“Pretty good, we’re just about finished with the addition on the house,” Madeline said. “And just in time too…” she added, her hand covering her stomach, which was just beginning to show. “I’m due in May. I was planning on telling everyone at dinner tonight, but Liv wouldn’t lay off about the wine, so I had to spill the beans early.”

“Congratulations!” I exclaimed, truly excited for her. Judging by the megawatt smile on Auntie Em’s face, she was elated.

“Yeah, I guess that’s a justifiable reason not to drink with us.” Livia laughed, her eyes shining.

“What about you, Liv? What’s new?” I asked, turning to my other cousin.

“I’ve just been busy with work and planning the wedding,” Livia replied, lifting her shoulder in a shrug.

“Oh yeah, that’s next September, isn’t it?”

“Yup! We’ll be getting married in Hartwood Creek, at the Whimsical Woods Resort. Joseph’s family rented the whole resort out for the weekend.” Livia shook her head like she couldn’t believe it. “His mother fell in love with Hartwood Creek when we viewed venue options. Originally, we were going to have it at the golf club in Springwood.”

“That’s really cool.” I smiled, happy for my cousins. Madeline, Livia, and Cate all resembled Auntie Em with their dark hair and light eyes and bone structure. Jo-Anna, the youngest, looked more like Uncle Ed with her light blond hair, although she shared the beautiful bone structure of her sisters and mother. “Where’s Jo-Anna?”

“Oh, she should be here soon. She got caught in traffic,” Auntie Em replied over her shoulder. She was putting the steamed green beans into a dish. As if I’d summoned her by asking, the front door opened and closed.

“I’m here!” Jo-Anna announced from the front foyer, sweeping into the kitchen a moment later. She sounded out of breath and looked more haggard than I felt. “What did I miss?” she asked, hugging everyone in turn.

“Oh, nothing other than Madeline announcing her pregnancy.” Cate grinned as the sliding door opened.

“What!” Jo-Anna exclaimed, whirling on her oldest sister with wide eyes. “No freakin’ way. Patrick finally put a bun in the oven?!”

“Patrick did what now?” the man in question, Patrick, asked. Half his body was on the porch while the other half was in the kitchen. He hesitated, looking around at the women gathered in the kitchen before he stepped fully inside.

“Congratulations on the swimmers, Pat.” Jo-Anna smirked, giving her brother-in-law a hug. “I’m so excited to be an aunt!”

“Oh, you told them.” Patrick laughed, his cheeks heating with embarrassment. “Er, thanks, Jo. Uh, Ed says the ribs are just about done.”

“Okay, perfect. Girls, want to help take the dishes out?” Auntie Em asked. Madeline grabbed the salad while Cate slid her hands into the oven mitts and picked up the roasted potatoes. Livia grabbed the bottle of wine and her wine glass, following the others and swiftly side-stepping to avoid Daphne as she barrelled into the kitchen.

She’d noticed I was inside and raced over, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Mommy! I helped Uncle Ed make the ribs!”

“Oh, really? I bet they’re going to taste delicious.” I bopped her gently on the nose and kissed her forehead. “Were you good for Auntie Em and Uncle Ed?”

“Yes.” Daphne nodded solemnly. “I was the bestest.”

“You really were, sweetheart,” Auntie Em said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Care to carry out the buns for me?”

“Okay!” Daphne agreed, taking the basket from Auntie Em and darting back outside.

“Thanks again for watching her, Auntie Em,” I said. Auntie Em wrapped her arm around my waist.

“Honestly, it was our absolute pleasure. She’s a joy to have around, and so are you. I’m glad you’re both here.”

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