“We did,” Erin said. “She’s really grown up in the past year.”
“She has,” Cora replied, beaming with pride.
“Where is she anyway? I thought she would be back by now. She ran out to Kerry’s bakery to pick up some pastries for the inn. She should be back soon.”
“Oh. Okay,” Erin replied.
“Hi, guys.”
“Hi, Sis.”
Erin looked over her shoulder to see her aunt Josephine at the door. “Hi, Aunt Jo,” she greeted with a smile.
“Why are you home so early?” Cora asked, wiping her hands on the towel on the counter.
“Do I need a reason?” Jo asked with a raised brow.
“Daniel.” Cora smirked.
Jo rolled her eyes. She took a seat beside Erin and folded her arms across her chest. “Why would it have anything to do with Daniel?” she huffed.
Cora chuckled. Erin fought her own laughter but lost in the end, a strangled sound leaving her lips. She’d only been in Oak Harbor for the past two weeks, and she’d already picked up on her aunt’s routine whenever she and her boyfriend were having a squabble.
“Exhibit A. You’re still in your apron and chef’s hat.” Cora gestured to her getup with a knowing grin. “You only wear it home when you and Daniel have had a falling out.”
Erin looked from her mother to her aunt, wondering if this was how they’d been when they were younger.
“What happened between you two?” Cora coaxed when her sister didn’t offer a response after some time had passed.
Jo released a frustrated breath. “I love Daniel, but that man…Humph. He drives me up the wall sometimes. He acts as if he knows it all. He doesn’t follow my instructions but expects me to take his orders…” Jo shook her head violently.
“Well, you know what they say about those that cook together,” Cora said with a shrug.
“What?” Jo asked with a look of skepticism.
Erin looked at her mother, interested in where she was going with this.
“You’re either madly in love or are trying to kill each other. I’m pretty sure you’re not planning on killing Daniel so that only leaves you being madly in love with him,” Cora responded, hand up and palms facing the ceiling.
“You are so corny, Cora,” Jo replied with another roll of her eyes as she pushed away from the island. “You’re lucky you’re my sister, or I would have disowned you already.” She slowly shook her head and headed for the exit as she muttered to herself.
“That man loves you, Jo. You know he does. You both just have another great love— food. You have to remember why you fell in love with him and work from there.”
Jo gave her sister an appreciative smile. “I’m going to go change out of this outfit.” With that, she turned and left the room.
“Are you okay?”
Erin looked up from the distressing text on her phone to see her mother watching her. A half grin lifted her lips as she gave a slight shrug.
“Honey, you know you can talk to me, right?” Cora asked, and Erin instantly nodded in agreement. Cora turned the stove off and walked over to her daughter, then sat across from her. She reached across the island and rested her palm on her daughter’s hand encouragingly. “I know we’ve had a difficult time, and we haven’t talked like we used to, but I miss that. I’m worried, Erin. Let me in.”
Cora’s blue-gray eyes pleaded for entrance while they searched Erin’s face.
“I just got an email from my boss that I’m grossly overdue on the ad campaign. I got the time off to finish, and I’m worried I might not be able to even finish it,” Erin confessed to her mother.
“Oh, sweetie,” Cora expressed with concern.“I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time finishing this project. But you’re strong, and I believe you’ll finish it on time.”
Erin grinned, grateful for the pep talk.“Thanks, Mom.”
