Page 39 of Hidden Nature

Then slowly began to see a pattern of shapes, colors, textures.

“It’s looking very pretty,” Elsie said, surprise thinly covered.

“Not done.” Rising, Sloan went into the pantry, found the colorful veggie chips her mother bought and her father pretended to like.

She added some in a short, careful curve, then took a whole pear from the fruit bowl and placed it.

“Don’t touch it.”

She got up, went into the living room and came back with three yellow-orange baby mums from a vase, placed them. Added a few springs of sage leaves, filled spots in with more candied nuts, then another small curve of veggie chips. She carefully sliced some figs she hadn’t yet used, placed them.

Finally, she took a handful of the pumpkin seeds they’d roasted the day before, sprinkled them on.

“Now it’s done.” Folding her arms, she stepped back to survey her masterpiece.

“It’s—beautiful. Honestly, Sloan, it looks better than the video.”

“I have to admit.” Drea walked closer. “I’m seriously impressed.”

“I have skills.” To memorialize it, Sloan pulled out her phone and took a picture.

Drea took out her phone, then put an arm around her mother. “Bring it in, Sloan. Cooper girls selfie.”

She nearly reached up to the wound on her forehead, then pushed the urge back. Flanking her mother, she smiled at the camera.

“All right, Cooper girls, I figure we’ve got about twenty before my parents arrive a half hour early. Let’s get little plates for this magnificent board, light the candles on the magnificent table. Then we’re going to be thankful for a glass of wine.”

As they opened the bottle, Dean came in with Mop.

“Everything’s under control,” he announced. “And we’ve got a nice, clear day. Cold and clear. Hey, it not only smells amazing in here, it looks amazing. Elsie, you outdid yourself on that board thing.”

“Sloan made it.”

“No, really? Wow.”

He started to reach over to sample, and Sloan threw out her hands. “No! It’s not to be touched.”

“Ever?”

“Until. Here.” She handed him the bag of veggie chips. “Eat these.”

“That’s okay. I can wait.” As he’d been trained, he folded the bag, clipped it, and returned it to the pantry.

“We’re having a glass of thankful wine,” Elsie told him.

“I’m in.” And as he looked back at them, his smile spread. “I have everything any man could be thankful for right here.”

CHAPTER SIX

Elsie knew her parents, and had timed their arrival nearly to the minute.

For her part, Sloan prepared herself for questions and comments about her health, probably her weight loss. She reminded herself those questions and comments came from love, and worry laced the love.

Her grandfather hugged her so hard she felt her injured ribs twinge, but warmth, and that love, saturated the embrace.

“Look at you.” Miles Riley scanned every inch of Sloan’s face before laying his lips, so gently, on her forehead. “There’s that girl.” He kissed her again. “We knew they couldn’t keep you down.”

“Let me in there.”

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