Page 107 of The Seven Rings
“Sure, a few clicks up from what I expected, but it suits the manor, and both of you. It’s friendly, and it shows a lot of care. I think we’ve hit the end of our list, so I can give you a hand.”
“Well, according to Cleo’s illustration, which belongs in an art gallery, cocktail napkins on the bar table, dinner napkins—the extras—on the other tables.”
“I can handle that.”
“Later, I want to tell you a couple stories. Good ones.”
“Okay.”
“And you know what?” Sonya took her own look around. “You’re not wrong. This does feel right.”
When Anna and Seth arrived, Anna handed Cleo a large covered cake dish. “I know you said bring nothing, but who says no to mini cream puffs?”
“Not me. Go on out. Drinks are all set. There’s wine, beer, and this evening’s specialty, Bellinis. Lemonade, soft drinks, and water for you and the baby.”
“Sounds…” Anna stopped as she looked outside. “Well, wow, that looks fabulous. Oh, there’s Owen. I got a look at the new seats out front, and I want one.”
“You’ll talk him into it.”
“If not,” Seth said, “I’ll bribe him.”
“Sounds like the rest of the family’s here. They were driving up together,” Anna added.
“Perfect. Go sweet-talk Owen, and tell him to start the grill.”
Outside, Sonya put herself in charge of the bar, poured lemonade for Anna, red wine for Seth. She made a Bellini for Corrine, another lemonade for Deuce—who was behind the wheel.
“A Bellini, my own darling?” Ace asked Paula.
“Who would say no? Sonya, everything’s just lovely.”
So was she, Sonya thought. Trey’s grandmother exuded easy elegance like breath in her summery floral dress.
If she did a poster on handsome couples, the senior Doyles would be her first pick.
“What’s your pleasure, Ace?”
She smiled at him, finding him so dashing with his steel mane, his bold blue eyes behind the silver-framed glasses.
“I have so many pleasures, including being right here, right now. But to drink? I see that one says hard lemonade.”
“Cleo’s grand-mère’s brew.”
“I’d trust Imogene, so I’ll try it. This reminds me of being here a long time ago. Remember, Paula, coming to the manor after Collin had done some of his remodeling, but before he added the apartment? He had us over, just like this. The family.”
“I do. Another lovely day. And I remember thinking he’d brought the manor back to life. Just as you have, Sonya. You and Cleo.”
“Sometimes, like now? I think we were waiting for each other.”
“Collin chose well in you.” Ace took the glass she handed him, had a sip. His eyebrows wiggled. “Now, that’s what I call lemonade.”
Chapter Fourteen
Sonya thought of the summer gathering as an evening with family. The Doyles had become hers. Cleo’s laser focus on food, drink, and presentation made it an exceptional evening with family.
Food ranked as top conversation topic at the start of the meal.
“Flank steak happens to be my specialty.” Ace took his rare and nodded at Cleo. “I’ve met my match.”
