He grasped her hand, the light touch chasing away the shadows lingering on her heart and bringing in a solid sense of belonging and peace.
“Are you two going to stand there making googly eyes at each other all day or come inside for dinner?” Riley called from the porch. “Mom’s been watching for you.”
Zane slung his arm around her shoulder and drew her close. “Dude, you should know better than to interrupt a man when he’s courting a woman. Bad form.”
“Courting?” Riley and Clara said in unison.
“Courting. Why wouldn’t I court this beautiful lady?” With his hand on her elbow, he led Clara forward and up the steps to shake Riley’s hand.
“Cousin Clara. So good to see you again.” Riley wrapped her in a warm embrace. “Go on inside. I need to have a word with myfriend.” There was an odd emphasis on the last word.
She glanced at Zane who nodded. “Go inside. I’ll be right in.”
She stepped inside and the screen door banged lightly behind her.
“What the hell are you doing?” Riley growled so low Clara barely heard him.
“None of your damned business.”
“You don’t live here. Don’t mess around with my cousin. You hurt her and I’ll kick your ass so hard you’ll wake up next year, if you wake up at all,” Riley warned.
Clara didn’t doubt for a second that he was serious. One thing the Flints were known for was protecting their own. She hugged herself. It was darn nice to be part of a happy functional family.
“Dude. Chill. I like Clara. We’re friends. I have no intention of hurting her. She’s a big girl and capable of making her own decisions. If we pursue a relationship, it will be because we both want one, and you’ll have no say in it.”
“Zane…” Riley’s tone was dark and ominous.
“Riley, back off. I like her. She’s a sweet girl and I have no intention of hurting her, or of taking our relationship anywhere she doesn’t want it to go. I’m not a moron. I’m her guest. We’re friends. Good friends. Nothing more. Yet.”
“It’s thatyetthat worries me.”
She chuckled. Zane’s insistence made her smile as she slipped out of her winter boots and hung her jacket in the hall closet. Zane was interested in more than friendship, he’d as much as said it. If he was staying in town, she’d want that too. But he wasn’t, which only left a fling. Could she do that? Could she have an affair with a guest without losing her heart? No, probably not. But it was coming up on Christmas, maybe she’d hold out for a Christmas miracle for them.
“Clara, darling, come inside. Don’t stand in the doorway shivering.” Sue stepped into the massive entryway. Her salt and pepper bob was perfectly styled as always. She held open her arms, waiting for Clara to step into them. Sue wore neat denim jeans and a burgundy sweater topped with a lace trimmed apron that read,Kiss the Cook.
She hugged her aunt, reveling in her familiar scent. In the background roasting turkey, sage and savory hinted at supper. Sue was Uncle Robert’s second wife. His first had died when the boys were young. Sue had married Robert and brought her three daughters into the family, adding to the love and the chaos. “Aunt Sue, it’s good to see you.”
She leaned into the embrace, sniffing back a happy tear. Being here felt like coming home. Why hadn’t she visited more often since returning?
“How’s the house?” Sue leaned back and held Clara at arm’s length, studying her. “You look good. Are you enjoying being an innkeeper?”
“The house is great. It was so much work to get ready, but I love having guests. Sorry I didn’t get out more often to visit; I was neck deep in renovations…” She trailed off.
“Forget the apology. I know how it is. I’ve been so busy with the kids and Robert that I’ve been neglecting you. I should have been there helping. I didn’t know your aunt well. We were in the weird zone, somewhere between acquaintances and friends. She was a lot older than I am and had become reclusive in the last decade or so. I should have reached out to her more often.” She shook her head. “Funny how sometimes we let our own problems erase the fact that others might need help dealing with theirs.”
“You knew Aunt Tilly?”
“I did. I didn’t realize until she was gone that she was your aunt. I would have introduced you. Perhaps getting together could have helped her. Having more family would have been good for you too.”
“Would you tell me stories about her? How long did you know her?”
“Come inside. Into the kitchen. We can talk while I finish dinner. I need to make the gravy.” She grabbed Clara by the hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. “Tilly was outgoing. I remember her liking people. Everyone. She never met a person she couldn’t relate to. She took part in every holiday festival. She donated to every bake sale. She had a lot of secret recipes she refused to share. Everyone wanted her Nanaimo bar recipe. She’d also buy baking at the sales. She crocheted blankets and donated them to the police department, and if I recall correctly, donated them to several youth organizations as well. She made quilts for Ronald McDonald House too. I only know that because somehow it ended up in the local paper, when we still had one. She’d made a hundred quilts for them. Quite an accomplishment. Sit down, dear. Can I get you coffee? Tea?”
“I’m good for now, but thanks. That is an accomplishment. It also explains the pile of quilts I found in her sewing room. And the fabric. You would not believe how much beautiful fabric she had. I didn’t touch that room, except to take quilts for the guest beds. It and the kitchen were the only rooms that weren’t total chaos.” She smiled, thinking about her aunt’s generosity. “If she donated quilts for kids, I guess that’s why so many of them were small. Maybe I should learn how to quilt or find a place to donate the fabric.”
“Oh, come to quilt night. Marcy’s Fabric Shop teaches quilting and has quilt-alongs where we make charity quilts. We’d have you up to speed in no time. It’s a great way to meet people.”
“Meet people?” A woman strolled into the kitchen. “Clara, great to see you again.”
