That evening, the seaside cottage was very lively. Everyone was already in the mood for the winter holidays; three weeks of no work, for most. Just fun and rest. Chase Twindell, still fresh to the family, only his second time around them, had managed to survive an entire day with them.
He was moving around the kitchen as if he always belonged there. The noble man, who didn't look like he had ever boiled water in his life, was chopping vegetables and stirring soup with care. Grace-lyn was teasing him, but he was taking it in a stride.
After cooking, he helped Mrs. Miller set the dinner table. When dinner came to a satisfactory end, he crouched on the floor in the living room, letting the children climb onto his back like he was some noble steed.
Their laughter echoed through the house, and Sienna, watching from the corner, felt a strange mix of suspicion and reluctant amusement.
