Page 29 of Hidden Nature

“Uh-huh.” Since the woman and the dog made it inside, Nash took a last scan of the lake.

They’d easily walked a mile, he calculated, and that view stayed as alluring as ever. But.

“Let’s go back, get the truck, and go check on our permits before town hall shuts down for the holiday.”

“Cool. I want a better look at the town anyway.”

“That part won’t take long.”

“I’m going to look at trucks. I’ll need my own transportation, and it wouldn’t hurt to have two trucks for the business. Hey, we could grab some lunch in town.”

“And we’d better hit the grocery store. With you around, we need more food.”

By the time her mother arrived, Sloan had pulled herself together. If asked, she could truthfully say she’d had breakfast, and lunch—even if lunch consisted of a few bites of leftover spaghetti.

“Drea’s on her way with the pumpkins.” Cheeks pink from the cold, Elsie hung up her coat. “I’m going to have both my girls making pies! How was your day, baby?”

“Good. Promise. I’m ready to deal with pumpkin guts, peel apples, and whatever else you’ve got in store.”

“I’ve got a list.” Pulling a clip from her pocket, Elsie looped her tail of blond hair, then secured it up.

She opened a closet, took out aprons. “You’re going to need it. Once we get the pies done, I’m going to do the ham. Turkey goes in at dawn tomorrow. We can make the cranberry sauce today, bake some bread, devil a few dozen eggs.”

“I don’t know how you do it, year after year.”

“Loving it helps. If I had to cook for an army more than a couple times a year, I wouldn’t love it so much.” Obviously primed, and pleased with the work ahead, Elsie got out bowls, knives, baking sheets.

“I’m going to say this before we get started, and I promise I won’t say it again. Tomorrow, when you’ve had enough, need a break, need to lie down awhile, you’ll go up and do that. You promise me that, I won’t bring it up again.”

“All right. I can promise that.”

Elsie glanced toward the mudroom. “Here’s Drea. Pumpkin in, dog out!”

“Got it,” Drea called back. “Out you go, Mop. And I didn’t have to tell him twice.”

Drea came into the kitchen, pink cheeks, hair braided back, and a trio of pumpkins in her arms. “Let the games begin!”

And like a game, Sloan found it fun as it took her back to childhood. The gooey strings of pumpkin, separating the seeds for roasting. The scent of the pumpkin cooking in the oven, and the feel of a crisp apple in her hand.

As they worked, Elsie consulted her list.

“Your aunt Lauren’s bringing a mincemeat pie.”

“I’ve never understood the mincemeat,” Sloan commented.

“Plenty do. Amelia’s doing a cheesecake. Grandpa’s bringing his sweet potato casserole, and Gramma’s doing a roasted yam and kale salad.”

“Yuck,” the sisters said in unison.

“Now, now. Jonah and Gina are doing that snack mix the kids wolf down. Nanny and Pop—forgot to tell you, Sloan, their flight landed safe and on time. Archer and Josie will drive them in tomorrow. Mac and cheese from them. Oh, and your cousin Ray’s bringing his boyfriend. Josie says it’s serious.”

“Serious-serious?” Sloan asked.

“Apparently. Your dad and I met him several months ago. He’s really handsome, add funny and sweet. He’s a forensic accountant.”

“The artist slash art teacher and the forensic accountant. Interesting combo.”

“They look cute together. They’re bringing…” Elsie consulted her list. “Thyme-roasted brussels sprouts with fresh cranberries.”

---