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“I feel like Smoke & Mirrors is established, and I can breathe easier. Hire more people and take a step back.”
“That must feel good.”
“Yeah, we’re thinking of having another child.” Elle exchanged a smile with Gray.
“You are?” Alice asked sharply.
Elle nodded. “Amelia’s four. It’s time.”
I could see Alice’s brain whirring. She wanted to be here for them when they had the baby.
Elle waved a hand at her, as if she knew what she was thinking. “Don’t worry about us. Who knows how long it will take to get pregnant. And I want to be home more this time.”
“That’s great that you’ll be able to do that,” Alice said politely.
Did she feel weird that they didn’t need her this time around? Wanting that connection with her, I touched her knee before returning my hand to my lap.
“How is construction?” Gray asked.
“We’re working on the B&B in town. The old Victorian.”
“I’m so excited for that to open. It will be good for tourism and all the businesses,” Elle gushed.
“It will be great when it’s done. It’s a huge undertaking. All the wiring and plumbing had to be replaced, then we needed to reconfigure the rooms and add more bathrooms.”
“It will be amazing when it’s completed,” Alice said.
“Have you seen it?” Elle asked, her eyes widening slightly.
“We bring lunch to Sam once a week. Sam or Mac usually gives us a tour.”
“I get to wear a hard hat,” Maggie said to Amelia.
Gray raised a brow.
I knew he was wondering if things were more serious than I’d let on. But they weren’t, not really. Alice just fit into my life.
The girls scampered off after they ate a few bites of their dinners, wanting to play in their fort. Occasionally, we heard giggling, but otherwise, they were occupied.
When Alice stood to join them, Elle waved her off. “They’re fine. You’re not working tonight.”
Alice returned to her seat.
“Have you been able to talk to anyone about hosting a workshop in town?” Elle asked.
“The owner of the pottery shop never contacted me. I called to follow up, but I only ever speak to the employees.”
“I don’t know the owner, so I’m no help. Are you thinking of opening a shop?” Elle asked.
Alice shrugged. “The town already has a pottery shop. They don’t need two.”
Would she move somewhere else if she wanted to open a store? I hadn’t even considered that.
“I looked into taking a couple of business courses at the community college.”
“That’s great, Alice,” Elle said.
Her excitement made me think she’d been pushing for Alice to go back to school for a while.
