“I baked banana bread. I think it turned out well, but Beverly’s cake is what I can’t wait to try,” Tricia said.
Because truly, Beverly’s cake was a thing of beauty. Three layers, covered with a thick, homemade chocolate frosting . . . it looked delicious. “Oh, Beverly. You honor us.”
Beverly shrugged off the comment, acting as if she baked three-layer cakes from scratch all the time. Which, of course, she probably did. “It was nothing. You know how I like to bake.”
“Tell me how the inn is going,” Emma said as she waved Tricia and Ben back outside.
“It’s going,” Beverly said as she turned to watch Tricia and Ben go back out through the sliding glass door. “We’re busy, which is a blessing.”
“Sadie’s shared that she often visits your inn for teatime.”
“She does come over for tea almost every day.” Smiling softly, she added, “She’s so friendly and welcoming to my guests, I’m grateful that she joins us.”
“I think she also enjoys your baking.”
“I always bake too much, so I’m glad she does.”
“I’m jealous. I’m going to stop by one day, too,” she teased.
“I hope you will. My guests love to visit with locals.”
Emma noticed that she said the last while gazing out into the backyard but Beverly was frowning, too. “Is everything all right?”
Beverly nodded. “Oh, sure. Fine. I’m just a little worried about Tricia and Ben.”
That took Emma by surprise. “Why is that? I think they seem mighty happy together.”
“Oh, they’re happy. But I’m a little worried that they might be forgetting to be cautious.”
“What do they need to be cautious about?”
“Everything.”
Emma smiled before she realized that Beverly was being completely serious.
As if she sensed Emma’s confusion, Beverly said, “Because Tricia is my niece and not my daughter, I worry about meddling. I want to help her, but I don’t want to overstep my place, either.” She sighed. “That said, I have some experience having my heart broken. Tricia needs to tread carefully and not let her emotions get the best of her.”
“How would that happen?”
“Well, I’m worried she has already fallen in love with Ben.”
“Would that be a bad thing?” Emma couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. If she’d learned anything after Sanford’s death, it was that love was a wonderful thing and shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“I think so.”
Though Ben wasn’t her child, Emma felt protective of him. “He’s a fine young man. She could do far worse.”
“I agree that he does seem nice. But it takes time to really know a person. Don’t you agree?”
If that was the case, then Emma really didn’t know what to think about the feelings she’d been experiencing around Jay. “I’m not sure,” she said at last.
“It’s different for us. We’re older. They’re so young, Emma.”
“Luckily, their relationship is out of our hands.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
Emma felt sorry for Beverly’s worries but she agreed that Ben and Tricia’s relationship was out of their hands. If Beverly didn’t realize that the couple was old enough to know how they felt—and that the Lord was already watching over them—Beverly wasn’t going to want Emma adding her opinions, too.
Therefore, it was time to switch topics. “You know what, I think everything is ready. Let’s go tell everyone.”
“Good idea.”
As they walked outside, Emma’s attention was immediately drawn to Annie, who was sitting on the ground crying. Jay was kneeling next to her, obviously trying to comfort her. “What happened?” She brushed a strand of Annie’s baby-soft hair away from her forehead. “Annie, are you hurt?”
Annie nodded, and Jay answered. “I think she’s all right. She simply had a little scare. She tripped when she was playing.” Jay’s expression was tender as he looked down at her youngest. To Emma’s surprise, she noticed that Annie was staring back at Jay with trust in her eyes.
“You better, Annie?” Emma asked gently. After Annie nodded again, Emma helped her to her feet. “All right, everyone, lunch is ready!” she called out. “Go on inside, fill your plates, and come back out here to eat.”
Right away, the small crowd followed her directions. Lena raced to the house by William’s side, Mark following on their heels. Ben and Tricia walked more sedately, looking oblivious to everyone around them. Beverly followed, holding Mandy’s hand.