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“Hmmm.” Alec reached into the cookie jar and took two of the ginger biscuits. “I imagine it was also your idea to play cards tonight?”
“You don’t like games, but the rest of them do. Emma gets prickly when she’s at loose ends. Dorothy just likes to be part of things. And Uncle Frederick, I think he’s very intelligent, but also, quite lonely.”
“Doesn’t it feel like we’ve become foster parents overnight?”
She laughed. “They do have rather specific needs, but I’m up for the challenge.”
“How are you not overwhelmed by the chaos?” he asked, turning on the electric kettle.
“This isn’t chaos,” she answered. “My family is chaos. Five adult kids, three with spouses, five grandchildren, two more on the way. And then there’s Rascal.”
“Don’t forget Weiner.”
She grinned as she propped her elbows on the counter and rested her chin in her hand. “I like your great uncle.”
“He’s a character—oh, and would you like a cup of tea?”
“I better not. I’d never sleep if I had tea this late. And Uncle Frederick is fascinating. I love his stories. I can’t believe he still lives alone at his age.”
“He’s very independent.”
She hesitated. “Have you ever thought about having him live here? You have full-time staff. He’d have people keeping an eye on him.”
“I don’t come home often.”
“How is that an issue?”
Alec’s brow creased. He looked almost uncomfortable and the whistle of the kettle saved him from answering right away. Instead, he used the time to add tea leaves to his teapot and then cover with hot water. “My life is in London, not here. I’d feel guilty if Uncle Frederick moved in and I rarely returned.”
She opened her mouth to speak but then thought better of it. There was silence for a minute as his tea steeped and he reached for another ginger cookie.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” she said as the silence continued to stretch. “I was just thinking of all he’s experienced, and how happy—” She broke off, shook her head. “I should go to bed before I say things we both regret.”
“I like smart women, women with opinions. But moving my uncle here isn’t as simple as it seems. He’d no longer be close to his friends, and he does have a circle of friends in his village. It means he’d change churches, and he likes to go every Sunday. He’s part of a community, and he doesn’t have thoserelationships here. So, it’s not that a move can’t be done, but so far, he’s wanted his independence, and he’s wanted his own home. Yes, he used to live here, but that was almost seventy years ago.”
“You’re right, I didn’t think of that. I just saw that he was happy today and…” She shrugged. “I really should mind my own business.”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice, or appreciate, how you spent time with everyone today. You helped my aunts feel valued. You made Uncle Frederick feel respected. You brought everyone together in a game—” He broke off, smiled. “And left me out of it. Thank you for being here and going above and beyond the call of duty.”
“It’s not a chore to bake cookies and learn about your great uncle’s past. I love playing cards and had fun tonight. None of this has been a chore. I just know you’re not as comfortable entertaining, and I’m trying to help shelter you from some of the fuss.”
“Fuss?” he repeated, sipping his tea.
“I’m sure it’s the same word in America as here. But fuss. Bother. I think that’s from Winnie the Pooh. I’m certain you know that word, bother.”
“It might surprise you to learn that I enjoyed today, and tonight. I realize you did the heavy lifting when it came to keeping my family engaged, but it gave me pleasure to see them happy. It meant a great deal to me to see the Green Salon used by family again. You somehow managed to make that overwhelming room feel… cozy and comfortable.”
“Maybe because when everyone is gathered together, and the fire is burning, the candles are glowing, and the Christmas tree is lit, it’s a lovely room, filled with lovely people, people who love you very much.” She stood up then and as she moved past him, she put her hand on his forearm, gave a squeeze. “Maybe theydon’t say it to you, but they all love you, very much, and it means a great deal to them to be here with you now.”
He reached up, caught her hand, held it a moment. He didn’t know what he wanted to say; only that he wasn’t ready for her to leave. He liked her company, he wanted her company, and it seemed harder and harder to get time alone with her. “I’m glad you’re here, Cara.”
Her gaze locked with his and held. He could tell she was searching his eyes and he didn’t know what she wanted to see, but he let her look, having nothing to hide from her.
“I’m glad to be here,” she said after a moment. “Glad I met you, and happy I’ve been able to help.” And then with a faint smile, she slipped her hand from his and disappeared through the kitchen door nearest the stairs.
Alec listened to her footsteps recede, his thoughts tangled, emotions perplexing. Things were changing. He felt as if he was changing and he didn’t know what that meant, only that being close to Cara was waking something inside of him, and it wasn’t entirely comfortable.
He’d been lonely for a long time, and in this short stretch of time, she’d become his friend, as well as something more.
