Page 89 of This Moment

“He said he’s been trying for years. He hates traveling and hates missing out on the kids’ activities so I imagine he will be.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Mark asked as he walked up next to us.

Kian looked at his brother and said, “The tales of Mom and Dad and their endless bounty of love they have to give.”

Mark let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, man, I needed that laugh.”

Once everyone was inside, Sally ushered us into the dining room, where the table was set with beautiful china and crystal. Lacy barely even looked at Sally as she walked around the table surveying everything. She picked up a fork, turned it around, and set it back down. Was she honestly inspecting everything? Good Lord, who is this woman?

“Everything looks good, Sally. I hope you remembered my requests for the menu.”

I reached for Kian’s hand, and he squeezed it.

“For this evening’s meal, you will start with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus as requested. The main course will be roast beef, potato gratin, and sauteed Brussels sprouts.”

Lacy simply nodded her head once. “And Easter?”

Sally cleared her throat. “Honey-baked ham, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and lemon orzo salad. We also have the delight of having dinner rolls and homemade crescent rolls that Cadie made.”

All eyes went to me, and I felt my face heat. Kian squeezed my hand again as Macy smiled in my direction.

“Easter’s dessert will be sour cream lemon pie and sugar cookie bars. Both made by Cadie as well.”

Lacy looked at me and smiled, but it wasn’t genuine. “What is for dessert this evening?”

Sally and I exchanged a look. “Carrot cake cheesecake bars.”

“Let me guess, baked by Cadie,” Lacy said, folding her arms over her chest as if my baking dessert for everyone was a crime.

“Wrong. I made them.”

All eyes turned to see Opal standing there. A wide smile plastered on her face. Millie and Jack ran to her and threw themselves at her. I dared to take a peek at Lacy to see if she was bothered that her grandchildren were happier to see Opal than her. She wasn’t even watching. Instead, she held one of the crystal glasses up to the light. I resisted rolling my eyes.

“Glad you could make it,” Doug said as he walked up to Opal and kissed her on the cheek.

“Thank you, Doug.”

Opal walked into the room and spotted her sister. “Stop with all that nonsense, Lacy. It’s not like you’re entertaining the King of England, for goodness’ sake. Sally would never set the table with dirty dishes.”

Lacy’s cheeks turned red, either from embarrassment or anger. I couldn’t tell which one it was.

“Do we have assigned seats?” I asked Kian in a lowered voice.

Kian pulled out a seat for me. “No, not yet, at least.”

I chuckled, and Lacy shot me a very stern expression. I quickly stopped and cleared my throat. Mark sat beside me, put his napkin on his lap, and spoke very loudly.

“You’ll quickly learn our mother has no patience for people who show happiness, Cadie, especially at the dinner table. Isn’t that right, Mother?”

My eyes bounced from mother to son as I fidgeted in my seat. When I caught Opal looking at me, she winked. I relaxed for the first time since I’d seen the black car drive up.

Sally started serving the food, and I felt terrible about not helping her. She must have hired a few other people to help, as I could see them in the kitchen. A younger girl, about eighteen, came out and poured the wine. Mark didn’t waste any time and flirted with her until his mother told him to stop.

“That will be enough, Mark. We don’t flirt with the staff,” Lacy stated as she picked up her wine glass and studied it.

Mark smirked at his mother. “Should I flirt with Cadie then?”

My head quickly turned to look at him as Kian groaned next to me and said, “Here we go.”

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