Annalise’s quick visual assessment of Winnie was a bit disconcerting, though her expression was more curious than critical. Larkin’s baby sister was an incredibly beautiful woman, with a fall of jet-black hair and dramatic cheekbones. Winnie knew Annalise had grown up in a house full of men, but with a baby in her lap, she was the epitome of a peaceful Madonna.
While Winnie drank her morning jolt of caffeine, Annalise filled the silence. “Larkin headed out early with the guys. The five of them love tramping across the mountain together. It doesn’t happen all that often anymore. I usually go, as well, but I’m nursing and can’t leave the baby that long.”
“What is his name?”
“Sam and I battled over that, but in the end, we settled for Phoenix. I know it’s pretentious, but our family rose from the ashes, so it fits.”
“I’ve read about the tragedy, of course. I lost my mother, as well, but I was much older. It must have been unspeakable.”
Annalise shrugged. “I was the youngest. I barely remember any of it. So I guess you could say I’m lucky.”
At that moment, Sam Ely walked through the door. “I wondered where you’d gotten to.” The tall, sleepy-eyed man with chestnut hair took the chair beside his wife.
She leaned in for a kiss. The casual domesticity of parents and child stabbed Winnie’s heart.
Annalise passed the baby to her husband and buttered a muffin. “I thought the guys invited you along.”
He yawned. “They did. But I had a conference call at six about the London project, and we just now finished.”
“London?” Winnie had been there many times and knew the city well.
Annalise’s face glowed with excitement. “We’re going there for three months. I can’t wait.”
The server brought Winnie’s breakfast and also handed Sam an enormous plate of food without asking. Apparently his preferences were well-known, because he dug into it without missing a beat.
His wife scowled. “It drives me nuts that he can eat like that and never gain a pound.”
Sam grinned. “Gain all the weight you want, darlin’. There will just be more of you to love.”
Annalise hooted with derision, but in her eyes Winnie saw the deep immutable knowledge that she was loved. Envy was not a pleasant emotion, but Winnie acknowledged it. Would she ever come close to having what Annalise possessed?
Quietly eating her meal, she wondered why Annalise and Sam were here at all, when their own house sat not far away on the mountaintop. Larkin had told her all about his cousins’ homes. Only Devlyn and Larkin did not have permanent abodes on the mountain.
Annalise patted her lips with a napkin and leaned her elbows on the table, chin in hand. “I’ve never known my brother to bring a woman along for a family weekend. What’s the deal?”
“Annalise…” The warning note in her husband’s voice didn’t faze her.
“Well, I want to know, damn it.”
Sam glared at her as he covered the baby’s ears.
Annalise grimaced, still looking at Winnie. “Sorry. I gave up cursing two years ago, but it hasn’t stuck.”