Page 208 of The Seven Rings
Sonya sniffed the air. “Smell that?”
“I do. Something’s cooking.”
When they stepped into the kitchen, they found Owen at the stove, Trey at the island.
“Men at work,” Sonya declared.
“We figured you didn’t have time to cook, so we decided to.” Trey pushed off the stool to kiss her. “Or he’s cooking. I’m chopping.”
“It’s pasta with that vodka sauce. I’ve got it down.” Owen stepped back as Cleo leaned over the pot.
“Looks like you do. Thoughtful.” She kissed him. “Thank you.”
“How’d the load-in go?”
“Smooth, thanks to Sonya’s good eye. Any activity?”
“A couple of doors slamming when I got here,” Trey told her. “By the time Owen came in, nothing.”
While Sonya fed the pets, Cleo set the table.
Teamwork, Sonya thought. The four of them had that down, too.
They settled down to salad, pasta, and red wine.
“You should know Ace has made some serious progress on the museum project.”
“I do know.” Sonya scooped up some penne. “We’ve been emailing. We’ve got an architect and an engineer on board. Once they’ve drafted plans, designs, we take that to the village council, and go through that process. Then hold a community meeting where fingers will be crossed that people like the idea, and the design.”
“The idea, they’ll go for it,” Owen said as he ate. “Agreeing on the design, expect some back-and-forth. But? You’ve got an Ace in your pocket.”
“Sonya should design the signage. You paid attention,” Cleo added to Owen and tapped a finger on the side of her plate.
“To you, Lafayette? It’s hard not to. And you’re right about the signage.”
“I don’t want to push in.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Trey said quickly. “It’s what you do. They’ll need a website, social pages, the works. I know Ace assumes you’ll take that on.”
“I would. I will if the town leaders agree. Ace and I have already talked about building a site to follow the remodeling, and help generate fundraising. But one step at a time.”
“Now you sound like the lawyer.”
Sonya laughed at Owen. “He must be rubbing off. Ace told me he and Paula will be there tonight.”
“He wouldn’t miss it. My mom and dad, too. And depending, Anna and Seth and Fiona at least want to drop by.”
“Gonna have a packed house.” Owen went back for seconds. “A lot of the Pooles will show. A lot of buzz about the artist lady up at the manor.”
“Then I’d better not disappoint them.”
“You’ve made a place in the community, you and Sonya. It counts.” Trey lifted his glass to both of them. “Some will come to support that, and Kevin, and some will come out of curiosity—and for free wine and finger food. Either way, you’ll have a crowd.”
“More sprinkles. She’s not nervous,” Sonya explained. “The show’s icing, and sales are sprinkles.”
Trey polished off his pasta. “You may end up in a sugar coma before it’s done.”
After dinner, they went up to change. Sonya came out of the shower to find her dark green dress—cowl-neck, long sleeves—laid out and paired with her black stacked-heel boots.
