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“It’s a pleasure,” Wolf said.
Then Sean opened the door. “Let’s get out of the cold. There are more of us inside.”
Shirley came out of the kitchen as they walked in andimmediately gave Amalie a big hug. “There’s my busy girl.”
“Thank you for this. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Amalie whispered.
“We’re excited to meet your father,” Shirley said.
Amalie turned. “Dad, this is Sean’s mother, Shirley. Shirley, this is my dad, Wolf Outen.”
Wolf had just removed his coat and quickly turned to greet her.
“Mrs. Pope, this is a pleasure. I’ve heard nothing but high praise about you since the moment Amalie and I met. I am so very grateful you and your family were kind to a lonely little girl when so many were not. You have my undying appreciation.”
Shirley’s heart broke for him. “Please, call me Shirley. I can’t imagine how you must feel, but we’re all so happy you two have found each other.”
Wolf handed her the box he’d been carrying. “This is for you. A little hostess gift for organizing all this at such short notice.”
Shirley beamed. “Oh my! You didn’t have to do that.”
“But she loves that you did,” Wiley piped up, and made everyone laugh.
Wolf grinned. The one with three women on speed dial was a caution.
“Sit down and open it, Mom,” Sean said.
Shirley sat, opened the lid, and then gasped.
“Oh my lord! This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” She lifted it out with both hands. “It’s a warbler!A mountain warbler. It was my mother’s favorite bird! It looks so real. Thank you, Wolf, thank you. I will treasure this!”
“I’m happy you like it,” he said.
“Did you get it in the village?” Sean asked.
Wolf nodded.
“Andrew’s work,” Cameron said. “He’s kind of famous in the wood-carving world. He won Wood-Carver of the Year a few years back. It’s really broadened his sales and craft.”
“I am impressed,” Wolf said. “Everything he had in the shop was outstanding, but I honestly thought the bird was real when I first walked in. After that, my decision was made.”
While they were admiring the carving, two more women came out of the kitchen. Wolf was trying not to stare, but even at their ages, the Pope resemblance was striking. And then Sean saw them and began introductions again.
“Oh, Wolf, this is my aunt Annie Cauley, John’s wife. She runs the bakery in Jubilee, and this is Aunt Ella, the elder of our family. Ladies, Amalie’s father, Wolf Outen.”
“My only claim to fame is outliving all my peers,” Ella said.
Wolf smiled. “There’s much to be said about persistence.”
Ella arched a brow. “I like that… I am old because I persisted!”
“And we’re glad you did,” Annie said.
Shirley got up and carried the carving to the mantel and moved things around until it was set in the forefront in a place of honor, and then stood back admiring it.
“Isn’t this the most beautiful thing,” she murmured, then turned around and waved her hands toward the dining room. “I came in here to tell you supper was ready and got sidetracked, didn’t I?”
“And I’m ready for it. I miss my mama’s cooking,” Wiley said.
