Page 33 of It Happened Again

As Maisy handed the baby back to Vivian, the front door swung open and in bustled Flora, arms full of two foil-covered dishes and a woven basket hanging from her elbow. Her arrival brought an instant burst of energy to the already warm home.

“Gramma Flora is here,” Paris shouted, the unofficial announcer of any visitors. She hugged the woman all the way to the kitchen.

“Oh, my sweet, Paris. I brought pies and enough food to feed an army for a week. I hope you’re hungry?” Flora announced, setting a casserole dish down on the counter before pulling her and Maisy into a long, enveloping hug. “I want time with all the babies—and with my baby, too. I missed you, Maisy-girl,” she added, pressing a kiss to Maisy’s cheek.

“I missed you, too, Mom. It’s so good to be here. I promised Chelsea I’d come back to town more often. Have you seen how much Max has grown?” she asked.

“Yes, I have. I’m afraid to blink and miss anything. How’s work going, dear?”

She shrugged. “Everything’s going great in New York, really.”

I cleared my throat, hovering nearby. “And I’m there too—always happy to help if she ever needs anything.”

Flora gave me a pointed look of approval. “Knowing that makes me feel better. How are you, Brooks? So good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too, Flora.” I never knew how much of our situation Maisy shared with her mother, but Flora had always treated me decently, and the way she reached over and squeezed my hand just now said nothing about that would change.“But I think Maisy is being modest. Hasn’t she told you yet about winning the internal innovation idea competition?” Ibragged a little on her behalf, surprised if she hadn’t brought it up.

“I think Chelsea mentioned something about it. How very exciting for you.”

“It is, but a lot of work. I’m preparing for a public presentation for it next month. I was hoping we could arrange for you to come down to New York and attend the event.” Maisy raised her eyebrows and waited.

“I would love to. I finally have a couple of very dependable employees right now, and I think I could trust them to watch over Flora’s Diner for a night.”

“Oh fantastic. I think seeing your face in the audience while I give this first major speech of my career will help a lot.”

“Don’t be nervous. I believe in you. There’s a lot of your father in you, and he was a beautiful, charismatic speaker. Now, help me get a few more things from the car, dear.”

“I’ll help, to” I called out.Flora did a double take, as Archer joined us to help as well.

“My brother and I came up to Holly Creek hoping you might have some of that incredible strawberry rhubarb pie, like we had at Chelsea’s wedding,” I flattered the woman. She really had perfected the art of pie making, though.

“You’re in luck. I brought one today.” She laughed as we all followed her out the door.

“Get in line for a piece behind me,” Rex growled, joining in. “Nothing beats my mother-in-law’s cooking.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, because I brought a few things.” When she opened her trunk and then all her doors, it became clear that Flora’s idea of a few things ended up considerably more than any of us expected.

With all hands on deck, we brought every dish of food inside on a few trips. Once we had everything spread out andorganized across every kitchen surface, the island, and the dining room table, Flora stepped back and beamed.

“Let the feast begin. Dig in. We have plenty of blessings to celebrate today.” She clapped her hands together. “Now, I must get my hands on those babies. You all grab a plate and carry on.”

No one could turn down the food, and before long me and all the men had heaped our plates full, while the women trickled in for small places of food, between baby time in the nursery and talking in the kitchen. I kept a watchful eye on constant alert for any sighting of Maisy.

Eventually, Richard turned the conversation toward the house plans with me and Archer. “Sorry to be in such a rush about these plans, getting you guys up here so quickly, but Miriam arrives tomorrow for a week-long stay to be with the baby and help Vivian out, so I want to get these out of the way before then.”

Suddenly, Paris ran up to him. “Daddy, Mommy won’t let me go riding. But I’m old enough and know how to saddle Winnie and do everything myself.”

Before he could respond, Vivian’s reply followed firmly from the kitchen entrance. “Ma chérie, I said you’re nine, and you still need an adult with you.”

Richard sided with his wife. “Sweetheart, we’re all visiting today. How about you wait until Miriam arrives tomorrow? You know you’ll have all week to ride with her.”

“But Mimi only likes to practice in the ring. I want to go out on the trail,” Paris whined.

Maisy spoke up. “I can take her on the trail.”

“Yeah? Okay. Just don’t stay out too long,” Richard agreed, and Paris whooped with delight. I saw my chance for some Maisy time. I’d just finished my meal anyway and could use some fresh air.

“Archer, I think you can handle this with Richard. I’ll stick by Maisy and Paris. Make sure they’re safe.” I headed to the kitchen and washed my plate quickly before Archer could protest.

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