“Why thank you, Master Lily,” Sophia and Emma did a mock curtsy. “That is high praise coming from the Queen of manipulation and cunning schemes.”
“Oh, good grief,” Isabel breathed, realizing she’d been played by true masters. “Now that you have your answer, let’s get back to work.”
“Oh, Gran, can’t you tell us some more?” Emma’s eyes shone with anticipation.
“No!” Isabel said flatly. “Now we have work to do.”
“Would you please promise to keep us updated?” Lily asked sweetly. “We’re rooting for you and are on Team Emma and Owen.” She leaned up and kissed Isabel on the cheek,whispering, “He’s the best man, I promise you, and someone I don't mind winning your heart at all.”
“I agree with Lily, Gran,” Emma told her, also kissing her cheek.
“We just want you to be happy, Isabel,” Sophia got in on the action. “You’ve come to mean a lot to all of us. You’re our aunt now.”
“But, if Owen so much as dares to hurt you,” Emma told her, “we’ll feed him to Sophia’s grandparents' roses.”
And just like that, even realizing she was being played by three master manipulators, Isabel’s heart melted. Tears burned the back of her eyes as she pulled all three girls in for a hug, kissing each one on the hair.
Then she sighed and, before stepping back from the embrace, said, “I’m so glad now I didn’t have girls. You’re exhausting, terrifying, and... I love you all so much.”
“We love you too,” the girls chorused again, their eyes flashing in triumph.
These girls are going to be trouble when they are at school together.
Just then, Isabel heard footsteps. Her head whipped around to see Owen and Martin at the door. Her heart went wild and her stomach clenched in excitement.
“Hi everyone, I brought some more coffee and snacks, they are in the dining room,” Owen called.
“Oh great,” Sophia said. “I’m starving.”
“I am too,” Emma said.
“Me too,” Lily said.
“Then why don’t you go get something,” Isabel told them. “I just need to finish what I’m doing.”
“Okay,” the three girls rushed off.
“Save a cake for me, okay?” Isabel called after them.
“We will,” they promised and rushed straight toward Owen.
Owen
Owen swallowed hard as he watched the three teenagers head straight for him. His first instinct was to turn and flee. They had the look of sheer intent in their eyes, a coordinated predatory march that signaled trouble.
"Uh-oh," Martin breathed beside him, his voice dropping to a cautious murmur. "Well, that looks like my cue to go get some of those delicious refreshments we just brought." He patted Owen on the shoulder, his grin entirely unhelpful. "Good luck, brother."
Before Owen could protest, Martin ducked out, slipping down the short corridor toward the dining room with remarkable speed.
"Coward," Owen muttered to Martin's retreating back. He shifted his posture slightly, drawing his hands further behind his back. His fingers clutched the rather sharp stem of the item he was hiding there, a single perfect bloom he had secured for Isabel.
"Hi, Dr. Reed," the girls called out in unison, their voices sweet as honey as they reached him. They beamed up at him with big smiles and adoring eyes that made his academic defenses instantly crumble.
"Where have you been?" Emma asked, tilting her head.
"We missed you in the basin," Lily added, her expression angelically innocent.
"What's behind your back?" Sophia asked, trying to peer around his right hip.
