Page 53 of Windward Hearts

There was a bit more bantering about the wine, when they cracked open both Eleanor’s grocery store bottle and the bottle that Shane had brought with him.

“He did totally make that joke just to mess with you,” Winnie admitted while Shane tried to shush her through his laughter. “But then, he wasn’t going to back down, so we had to go to an actual wine store just to make a point. But, as you might have known, there is no wine store in Magnolia Shore. We had to drive for like an hour before we got to a place that sold wine only.”

“A general liquor store wouldn’t have been as funny,” Shane offered as a way of defense.

“We did have a fun adventure,” Winnie admitted. “There’s a really cute little ice cream place around half an hour away, and I never would have found it otherwise.”

“Speaking of dessert,” Eleanor said, rising. “Let’s go grab ours.”

She went to the kitchen and returned with the box, while Garrett fetched some small plates and clean cutlery.

“As you can see,” Eleanor said, “this is a totally homemade, definitely not purchased, cooked by me and me alone dessert.”

After this proclamation, she opened the box in a way that everyone could clearly read the Riverstone Kitchen logo before the reveal.

“Not as perfect as I thought, then,” Shane joked, tapping his chin like he was an old-timey detective parsing clues.

“If you saw what happened to the cake I tried to bake,” Eleanor countered, “you would agree that going out to buy one was the most perfect decision I could have made.”

“It would have been a good decision even if you didn’t mess up a cake,” Winnie said encouragingly. “Jared’s desserts are good.”

“Thank you very much, Winnie,” Eleanor said triumphantly. “Besides, I’d like to see you do better, Shane.”

“I’m sure I could,” Shane said immediately. Then, he paused. “With about five to seven weeks advance notice so that I could practice.”

Everyone laughed.

“You know,” Winnie added thoughtfully after the mirth had died down. “That’s actually not a bad idea. What if we did sort of a supper club exchange? Once a month, maybe? I know that’s not enough prep time for Shane, but maybe if I help him, we could be the next ones to try to impress you guys with a fancy dinner. Then, the month after, it would flip back to you guys.”

Shane nodded in agreement at once, and Eleanor glanced over at Garrett, who also looked interested.

“Yeah, we’re in,” Eleanor agreed. “And Shane, you can even get a restaurant dessert the first time. You know, for fairness.”

Her brother pulled a face at her, and she shot him a wink.

“They’re going to get really competitive about this, huh?” Winnie asked Garrett.

“Yeah, I think we’d better brace ourselves,” he replied.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Normally, quilting soothed Hope’s nerves. There was something about the repetition of it, the way that she needed to keep both her hands and her eyes involved in the task without stressing out her mind.

Today, it wasn’t working. She was… flustered.

Miriam cleared her throat from where she sat on the other end of the couch.

“You feeling okay?” Hope asked. This was the third or fourth time that Miriam had cleared her throat in the last few minutes.

“I am feeling fine,” Miriam insisted. “But you, my darling, are so tense that you’re practically making the air vibrate around you.”

“I’m fine,” Hope said automatically, before she remembered who she was talking to. Miriam’s eyebrow arched, and suddenly, Hope was seven years old again and trying to blame Felicity for eating the last ice cream bar before lunch. “Okay, you got me.” She sighed. “I’m feeling… unsettled.”

“No,” Miriam said, feigning shock. “You don’t say!”

“What was it you used to tell me when I was a kid?” Hope shot back, smiling a little. “Sarcasm isn’t becoming?”

“Yes, well, I lied. It’s very funny,” Miriam shot back without missing a beat. “Mostly when I do it. Anyway, spill the beans, little girl. I’m your grandmother. You can’t lie to me.”