“I’m more of a gingerbread person myself.” Tansy managed a small smile.
“You’re not serious?” Shelby asked, turning to look at Lord Byron.
“It’s a vicious cycle. Lord Byron torments Aunt Mags and takes her things. Aunt Mags threatens to taxidermy or cook him, and Aunt Camellia comes to his rescue and feeds him crackers.” Astrid sat on the opposite end of the table, putting puzzle pieces together.
Shelby didn’t seem exactly comforted by this explanation so Tansy added, “It’s okay. He’s been around for as long as I can remember so, for all the threats, I’m thinking Lord Byron is safe.”
Aunt Mags humphed but let it go—winking at Shelby.
One good thing had come out of the last few weeks of upheaval. Shelby and Bea had shown up to have tea with Aunt Mags this afternoon and, despite the scene with Dane, she’d yet to leave. She was sweet and thoughtful and, likely, totally overwhelmed by her new family but she seemed eager to get to know them all. Not as eager as Aunt Mags, of course, but close.
“I have the champagne flute done.” She pushed the pieces toward Aunt Mags.
“Bravo.” Aunt Mags smiled.
Tansy sank into the overstuffed chair opposite Camellia.
Aunt Camellia’s knitting needles didn’t pause. “Can’t sleep, darling?”
Tansy shook her head.
“Would you like some tea?” Aunt Camellia asked, setting her knitting aside.
“Stay put.” Tansy pointed at the pile of pups at her feet. “They’re all so happy, I don’t want to wake them.”
“Why not some wine?” Aunt Mags interrupted, jumping up from the table.
“Why not.” She yawned. “If it will help me sleep.”
Aunt Mags pulled glasses from the cabinet. “You disappeared as soon as Dane left, I was hoping you’d gone off for a nap.” She opened the bottle of wine.
All eyes turned Tansy’s way. She’d gone upstairs to cry, shower, cry some more and realized she’d been horrible to Dane.Again. “No nap.”
“Then again, I imagine sleep would be elusive after something so...so impassioned.” Aunt Mags poured a healthy amount of wine into each glass.
“He is very overwhelming.” Shelby took one of the glasses. “In a good way.”
“I agree.” Astrid took a glass from Aunt Mags.
“I admit, I was a little dazzled, too.” Aunt Mags pressed a hand to her chest. “It’s shocking, I know.”
Aunt Camellia stopped knitting and pointed at her sister with a needle. “Don’t belittle him, Mags. That boy has a good heart. Now that we knowallhe’s been dealing with, I’d say he needs a bit of compassion.”
That grabbed Tansy’s attention. “What did I miss?”
“Nicole called. She and Benji ran the booth today, remember?” Astrid waited for Tansy’s nod and stood. “Are you sure you want to know?”
Tansy shook her head. “No.” But then she nodded. “Yes. I do.”Of course, I do.
By the time Astrid had finished, Tansy took a large gulp from her glass of wine. His home, like hers, was in jeopardy. Not just from the fire but by the bank. And poor Leif. He’d told Kerrielynn, Benji and Felix all about military school. Dane would never send his brother away so... And then she’d pushed him away.Oh, Dane. Her heart couldn’t take any more.
She knew they were all waiting for her to say something, but there were no words.I’m a horrible person.
“I’ve convinced Shelby to stay with us for a bit.” Aunt Mags clinked her glass with Shelby.
Even hurting, Tansy saw what a gift this was—for all of them.
“Yay!” Astrid clapped her hands. “You have to stay through the honey flow. It’s so much fun.”
