“That list does seem to outweigh the first. Definitely lean into the almost dying part. It’s very heroic.”
“Trust me, everything will be fine. They won’t even mention it.”
***
Thomas Archer shot dagger eyes at Bowen from over the dinner table. Forks clinked against the dinnerware, and conversation was sparse. After the initial tearful reunion, we’d settled around the table for a meal, and things had devolved from there.
“Pass the turnips, please,” Sarah said, forcing a smile on her lips.
Thomas thumped the bowl of turnips in front of Sarah and continued to glare. Bowen coughed into his napkin and mouthed, “I told you so,” at me from across the table. His gaze kept darting to the hearth where there was a suspiciously missing fire poker.
The children ate in silence, sensing the mood, and the twins asked to be excused before they’d even finished their meals. Annie and Ethan followed them from the room, excited to have other kids to play with, leaving only the adults at the table.
My gaze landed on Hendrik’s empty place setting, and I frowned. I knew I had to be patient and that his adjustment would take time. It was to be expected, but it was hard to watch him struggle. He was no longer under the witch’s spell, but a small part of her still lingered. She lurked in his troubled gaze, and in the nightmares that tore him from sleep. One day, she’d fade into oblivion. Because if there was one thing I'd learned, it was that you can shatter the dark with time and happy memories, and sometimes light breaks through from the places you least expect.
Bowen nudged my leg under the table, breaking me out of my thoughts. He angled his head toward Thomas, eyes pleading with me to say something. I stifled a grin.Poor guy.He was getting slaughtered.
Clearing my throat, I leaned forward, and in an exaggerated tone, said, “Not only did he rescue Annie and Ethan from the witch, but did I tell you Bowen almost die—?”
“Where’s my pocket watch?” Thomas pushed out of his hair and patted his pockets. “Have you seen it? The thing cost me a fortune. It’s gold-plated.”
“I haven’t seen it,” Sarah said, taking a sip from her glass of wine. “Maybe you left it on the bureau?”
“No, I had it with me earlier, and now it’s gone.” His eyes landed on Bowen, and accusation shot through his tone. “Did you take it?”
“What? No! Of course not.” Bowen stood, tossing down his napkin when something jangled inside the pocket of his dinner jacket.
“Is that my watch? Empty your pockets this instant!” Thomas charged around the table as Bowen reached into his jacket. His skin turned slightly gray when he removed a gold pocket watch.
He searched my gaze, horror dawning across his features. “Liana, I didn’t take it. I swear, I don’t know how it got in there. There has to be a mistake.”
My lips flattened. I’d heard that one before. “A mistake, hmm?”
Sarah choked on her wine, sputtering red liquid across the table. She gulped in air between her laughter, trying to dab at the tablecloth with her napkin. “I’m so sorry, Thomas. I tried to hold it in. But his face when he found the watch I planted was too much.”
Thomas pressed a fist against his lips and tried to stifle his own amusement. “It’s all right, dear. I wasn’t sure I could last much longer either. I definitely would have cracked once I started chasing him with the poker.”
“How could you do this?” I said, darting a glance at each of them as Bowen sank back into his chair, looking relieved and also a little terrorized by my parents. “Don’t you know he almost died!” My lips trembled, and I couldn’t hold it. I burst out laughing.
Bowen narrowed his eyes on me. “Did you know about this?”
I lifted my shoulders in a sheepish shrug. “Well, it was Thomas’s idea, but I thought it would be a good way to break the ice. You were so worried, but it’s okay. They forgive you.”
Bowen scrubbed a hand over his face and muttered, “Unbelievable. But I guess I deserved that.”
Sarah smiled and reached across the table to pat his hand. “We’re a little unorthodox in this family, and believe me, we can hold a grudge with the best of them, but we also know people are complex. You helped our daughter. You helped our family, which has grown quite a bit since that last time she was here, and for those things, we thank you.” She pushed aside her plate and rose from her chair. “Let’s go, Thomas. I think we’ve pestered the poor man enough for one night, and I know Liana wants to spend some time with him…alone.” My mother bent to kiss the top of my head and whispered, “Why don’t you show him your workshop?” She squeezed my hand. “Good luck.”
***
I paced the length of the room, waiting for Bowen to join me. It had already been ten minutes, and I was starting to think he was punishing me for my participation in Thomas’s prank. A knock sounded, and I turned toward the entrance, surprised to find Hendrik standing in the doorway.
“Hey,” I said, motioning him to come inside. “We missed you at dinner. I was getting worried, but I figured with all the commotion, you might need some space.”
Hendrik flashed me a weak smile and leaned against my workbench. He wore a pair of Thomas’s old clothes, but the shirt was a little tight around his shoulders.
“Sorry. This is still a lot to take in. It feels as if I’ve been sleeping for six years and I just woke up to a life I don’t recognize.”
“I know. But it will get better—you’ll see.”
