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The next morning, she woke up and swung her legs off the bed, hitting Cosmo in the head. She’d forgotten about her new roommates for a moment. He let out a soft noise. Not a whimper, but more of a Huh? Why did you do that?
“Sorry, pal. We’re going to have to get used to the new situation. Remember, life is a series of adjustments. More on that later.” She stepped into the ballet flats she used for slippers and donned a robe. The dogs sat and waited for the next command. “Come.” And they did.
She let the dogs out and fixed a cup of coffee for herself. Once again, they returned immediately to the door. She decided to take her coffee outside and let them have some more fresh air. She sat on the steps of the deck. They sat at attention next to her. “Go play.” She waved her arms. Maybe they needed something to fetch. She reached over and picked up a twig lying on the ground and flung it as far as she could. “Go!” The dogs bolted immediately toward the piece of wood. She noticed Kramer got there first. Melanie thought Cosmo probably needed more time to adjust to his new surroundings because of his impaired sight. He galloped behind Kramer as the other dog brought the stick back to Melanie. “Good job!” She patted both of them. She threw the stick again, but this time, not as far. Kramer still beat Cosmo to it, but he let Cosmo pick it up and bring it back. Melanie watched in awe. “Talk about being a team player.”
Again she praised them. She finished off her java and stood. The dogs sat waiting for her command. “Come on.” She made her way to the side door and let them in. She decided this would become part of her morning routine. Coffee with the dogs and a stick. Maybe a ball, too.
She went into the living room, and they followed her. “You guys can sit and watch the parade. I have to change.” They understood the word sit. It was parade and change that probably confused them.
Melanie went into the small bedroom that was now serving as her dressing room. She didn’t have a lot of clothes at the moment, but that was going to change shortly. She wondered where else she would be able to wear her new wardrobe once this mission was over. She would try to keep that in mind when she went shopping.
She picked out a pair of black trousers and a rust-colored turtleneck sweater. Her blunt, collarbone-length hair was pulled back with a matching headband. One black lacquer bracelet sat on her wrist outside the cuff. Presentable, casual, and holiday-ready.
As she was about to leave, she let the dogs out one more time. Melanie was thankful she didn’t have to go through potty training with them. She walked them to the living room. “You guys stay. I’ll be back in a few hours.” She used the hand signal to tell them they could lie down. Another thing she was thankful for. She hardly had to teach them anything. She’d work on the playtime thing with them. And the snuggling thing, too.
She grabbed the insulated wine bag and placed two bottles of sauvignon blanc in it, then headed toward the door. “Be good. See you soon!” she called out to her guys. She laughed at the realization she had someone to talk to. “At least they’re not judgmental.” She wondered, “Or are they?” Again, she laughed.
Melanie drove the forty minutes to her brother’s house. Her parents were already there, waiting for Shannon’s mom and dad to arrive. Justin greeted her with open arms. “This is great! Our first Thanksgiving here, and with you!”
Melanie took a step back. “Okay. What have you done with my brother? He’s never this happy to see me.”
Justin burst out laughing. “Dad paid me to say it.”
“That’s more like it.” She smiled and handed him the wine. He set it down on the small side table in the foyer.
Shannon came from the kitchen, looking as if she had just stepped out of Vogue. “Fifteen minutes,” she called to the two women who were preparing the meal. A man stood behind her, carrying a tray of champagne glasses. Why on earth had Melanie thought Shannon would be cooking? Or serving? She plans parties for a living. Duh. Justin took Melanie’s coat and hung it in the closet. The bell rang, and Shannon’s parents entered the foyer. Justin took their coats as the man with the tray passed around the glasses. She held up her flute. “Cheers!” A variety of salutations were expressed by everyone else.
Shannon ushered her guests into the living room, where a fire crackled inside a large white marble fireplace with a black slate hearth. When Justin was stationed overseas, he’d shipped a Persian rug home, and it was now the centerpiece of the living room. Overstuffed chairs, a love seat, and sofa sat on the perimeter of the rug, facing the warmth and the glow.
Everyone took a seat except Shannon. She stood in the doorway, whispering instructions to the man who’d served the champagne. He quickly disappeared and then reappeared minutes later with a tray of hors d’oeuvres. After everyone took a few pieces, he placed the tray on the glass cocktail table.
“Dinner will be served in about fifteen minutes. Until then, I think we could use a refill.” Before she had time to ask, the gentleman in the white jacket brought another bottle of champagne into the room.
Melanie had never seen her sister-in-law in action before. She was slick. No wonder she was able to cater to the elite. After several more minutes of chitchat, a dinner bell rang in the dining room. “Dinner is now being served,” she announced, and slowly swept her arm in the direction of the dining room.
The table was beautifully set with a centerpiece of seasonal flowers, branches, and tea lights. Burgundy napkins were folded in the shape of a rose with a place card and centered on plates from the Wedgwood Cornucopia china collection. Schott Zwiesel wineglasses and Mepra Vintage flatware finished the place settings. Melanie was totally impressed. Shannon had gone to a lot of trouble. On second thought, her staff had gone to a lot of trouble. She didn’t want to throw shade on her sister-in-law’s fabulous table setting, but it was nice to have people to do all the work.
Melanie liked Shannon. At first, she’d thought Shannon and her brother might be mismatched. Shannon came from money and influence, but she never appeared to be spoiled. She didn’t act in the way other rich girls would behave. Shannon had a successful business, and she worked hard at keeping a lot of people happy. It couldn’t be an easy job. Melanie rethought her first reaction. Shannon had really gone to a lot of trouble to make this dinner beautiful, and delicious. Melanie also considered how smart it was for Shannon to have a staff prepare and serve. It allowed Shannon to enjoy her family and the dinner. Together. No one had to get up and help clear the table or do the dishes. Yes, Shannon was one smart cookie.
When it came time for dessert, Shannon suggested everyone return to the living room. Moans of delight echoed around the table as people pushed themselves away. Melanie was the first to enter the living room and began to browse the bookshelves. Lots of biographies about international heads of state, religious leaders, and scientists. She couldn’t tell which books belonged to her brother and which to Shannon. Perhaps that was their common ground.
The others came shuffling in, commenting on how full they were and that they’d never be able to eat again. “Until leftovers,” Justin joked. “Honey, I hope you told them to save some stuffing for me.”
“They made a special batch just for you.” Shannon smiled. Melanie appreciated how considerate Shannon was of her brother. Maybe she and her sister-in-law could become good friends now that Melanie was settled in her new job, with a house and dogs.
“We should have dinner or brunch one day,” Melanie suggested while the miniature apple tarts and pumpkin soufflé ramekins were being passed around.
Shannon almost looked surprised. She and Melanie hadn’t spent much time together and never went out alone. Shannon thought Melanie was a bit of an introvert. What she didn’t know was that Melanie had gotten used to not being able to open up to people outside her agent sphere.
“I’d like that.” Shannon placed her hand on Melanie’s shoulder. “Let’s put something on the calendar when I get back to my office on Monday.”
“Perfect,” Melanie replied.
Justin sidled over to where the women were talking. “What are the two of you up to?”
“Nothing.” Melanie looked up in the air, as if she were trying to hide something.
“Come on. Spill,” Justin insisted.
