Agnes appeared again, frazzled. “Saved the scones!” she announced, putting a decorative plate piled high with multiple types of pastries in the middle of the table.
“Those smell amazing,” I said, stomach growling. I’d slowly been replacing my beignet addiction with scones, specifically Agnes’s cherry and chocolate recipe.
“I wanted to have options,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what she’d like best. Oh!” She clapped her hands together. “Forgot the jam and cream!” She raced out again just as a knock echoed from the front hall.
“She’s here,” I said, my heart racing. I imagined the little face on the other side of the door, staring up at the castle, mouth agape as curiosity and nerves bubbled inside her.
Maybe even a little excitement?
I hoped the little girl was excited for this new chapter. Excited to meet us. Excited to spend time as a part of this family Weston and I were building.
“Ready?” Weston asked, holding his hand out for mine.
“Ready,” I said, linking our fingers.
Together, we walked down the hall, pulling open the massive front door to peals of laughter. A little girl clad in dark red overalls and boots was sprawled out in the grass, giggling as Milo playfully licked her face, tail wagging.
“Milo!” Weston said, trying to call him off. But Milo didn’t move, except to wag his tail furiously, and the little girl simply squealed with delight.
A young social worker stood on the driveway, looking fondly at the scene.
“Hi, Maeve,” I called.
She turned around with a bright smile, reaching for our hands. “Good to see you two again.”
We’d been in touch with Maeve throughout our process to qualify as foster parents. She’d been out to Lochbrae on multiple occasions, ensuring the space was ready for a child. “Well, this is Aisling,” she said, gesturing to the little girl who was now rolling around on the ground, playing with Milo. “She was quite clean when we got here. Now not so much.”
Weston’s lips twitched, and he nudged me with his hip. “Sort of reminds me of your first interaction with Bonnie,” he murmured.
I arched my eyebrow. “I was attacked.”
“So you keep insisting.”
“Aisling,” Maeve called. “Come say hello.”
The little girl popped her head up briefly. “Hiya!” Milo yipped at being ignored, taking her attention back.
“I see we have a dog lover,” I said.
“She adores all kinds of animals,” Maeve confirmed.
“That’s good,” Weston said. “Because we’ve got a few of them.”
Aisling climbed to her feet, blonde ponytail skewed. Her freckle-dusted cheeks were flushed as she stared up at the turrets. “You know this is a castle?”
“Aye,” Weston said. “Have you ever been in a castle before?”
Aisling shook her head.
“This is where you’re going to live,” Maeve said. “And this is Weston and Lena. Remember that chat we had about staying with them?”
Aisling skipped to Maeve’s side, grabbing onto her pant leg, a little uncertain all of a sudden. “It’s so big.”
I crouched down, closer to her level. “Itisreally big. And I know that can be scary. But I promise the inside is cozy. Would you like to come in and see your room?” I asked, extending my hand.
Aisling nodded shyly, reaching out, and as her tiny palm fitted into mine, my heart melted. “I get my own room?” she asked, looking up at me as I got to my feet.
“Sure do,” Weston said. We turned for the door, but a jingling sound echoed across the gardens.
