Lena hummed in agreement. “We’ve got a few months until the next inspection. That’s plenty of time to put all our issues in order.” She glanced across the table at me. “Thanks for keeping Aisling today. I know it’s a big ask when you’ve got people coming and going from the inn.”
“She’s no trouble,” I insisted. “Really. Plus, I had Maisie with me today to help turn over the rooms, and Locke was a big help while I did the afternoon check-ins.”
“I still don’t know how you managed to get out of manicures,” Lena said, pointing a finger at him. “I’m impressed.”
He laughed. “I introduced Aisling to the wild world of poker while Isla was busy. She’s a card shark, by the way.”
Lena’s face fell. “You did not. She’s six.”
“Of course not,” he reassured her. “We played go fish. She still cheated though.”
“That’s Weston’s doing,” Lena said, shaking her head in exasperation. “We’ve started Sunday night board games and oneof them is always leaving the table in a huff. They’re both too competitive for their own good.”
I grinned as Lena recounted a story of a cutthroat Monopoly game that ended with everyone being put in time out. By the time she was done, she’d finished her wine, and we relocated to the library with a platter of Agnes’s millionaire shortbread.
Though there was no need to fake anything here, Locke crowded in next to me on the loveseat. My pulse skipped when he placed his hand on my knee briefly, leaning over to pick up the napkin I’d dropped.
Lena picked up a piece of shortbread, playfully wafting it around. “I swear this is like a homing signal for him. Watch.”
Weston walked into the library a moment later, looking perplexed as we all laughed. His expression brightened when he saw the dessert. He came right to Lena, nibbling at the piece in her hand. Milo ran up beside him, looking for his own treat.
“Aisling asleep?” she asked.
“Yes, but she’s requested magic beans for Christmas,” he said.
Locke snorted. “It’s summer.”
Weston gave him a pointed look. “That gives you plenty of time to source said magic beans since this was all your doing.”
“Hey,” Locke argued. “I’m the one who got her to eat her vegetables. You’re welcome for that moment of sheer brilliance.”
“Who’s been talking up that ego of yours?” Weston joked, looking at me.
I held my hands up, pleading innocence. “Don’t look at me. Though I do admit that being able to negotiate with a six-year-old is pretty impressive.”
Locke shot me a crooked smile, and a flash of heat shot straight through me, turning my insides molten.Calm down, girl!I reminded myself as my pulse thumped in my chest.Before your damn cheeks turn to tomatoes!
“All I know is she’s gonna be outside inspecting Agnes’s vegetable garden tomorrow for signs of magic beans,” Weston said, sinking down beside Lena and throwing his arm around her shoulders.
“Better Aisling than Bonnie in the garden,” Locke pointed out. “I’ve heard she’s been pulling up Agnes’s carrots.”
Weston rubbed his jaw. “Callum’s already put up two fences, for all the good they did. I don’t know how to stop her.”
Lena’s lips twitched. “Someone got the moment Bonnie burst through the tent at the vow-renewal ceremony on video. She drives me nuts, but it’s probably the funniest thing I’ve seen in my life.”
Weston turned his head, bussing her temple. “What would life be without Bonnie?”
“Blissfully quiet and far less chaotic,” Locke suggested.
I laughed. “I don’t know about that. I think Aisling would keep all of you here at Lochbrae on your toes, regardless.”
“She does,” Lena agreed. “But we love it. Honestly, things have been going so well with her.”
“So well, in fact,” Weston cut in, looking a little shy, a little excited, “that we’ve actually decided to start the adoption process.”
I clasped my hand to my mouth, a heady mix of happiness and joy swelling in my chest. The next thing I knew, I had tears streaming down my face. Damn pregnancy hormones!
Locke looked a little alarmed, reaching for me, his hand settling in the middle of my back as I swiped tears from my eyes. “I’m so happy for you guys,” I said, laughing away the emotion. Lena stood to give me a hug. “She’s such a special little girl. She deserves to have a forever home. And you guys deserve all the happiness she brings.”
