“An announcement, you say?” she asked, adjusting her glasses to look at Declan and Evie. “’Tis about time.”
“’Tis about something else,” he teased her. “You tell them, Evie.”
Still holding Declan’s hand, she reached for her grandfather’s with the other. “We, the three of us, have made a big decision. And my parents are in one hundred percent agreement with this plan.”
After a chorus of interest, she continued, “The work being done on Gloriana House is going to be a little more extensive than you might realize. With Granddaddy’s approval and support, we are completely restoring Gloriana House to a perfect replica of the Victorian era. And…” She glowed as she took a breath to announce the rest. “We’ll be working side by side with the Bitter Bark Historical Society to transform the mansion into the Gloriana House Museum, which will not only display our family’s treasures, but the whole history of Bitter Bark. It’ll be open to the public, with all proceeds going to the first responders’ charities of choice.”
This time, the whole room gasped, and another cascade of questions and cheers rained down. As the family celebrated, Declan pulled Evie and Max in for an embrace, almost overwhelmed by how great Evie’s idea was and how enthusiastically Max had agreed to it.
Gloriana House was meant to be appreciated…by everyone.
“Nellie Shaker is going to run the day-to-day operations of the museum,” Evie added as the chatter died down. “She’s also planning to open the first floor for special events like fundraisers, parties, and weddings.”
“Did someone say weddings?” Yiayia interjected.
Declan shot her a look. “Would you calm down?”
“But where will you live, Max?” Colleen asked. “I think it might get crowded in Declan’s house.”
“It better get crowded,” Max said. “If these two could get on with their real purpose in life and add to the line.”
Declan rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help laughing. “Tell them the rest, E.”
“There’s more?” Gramma asked with unabashed hope.
“Declan and I are building a new house, with a view of our favorite lake in the foothills, on land I had no idea that the Hewitt family owned, but…”
“I was going to leave it to her anyway,” Max said with a shrug. “But I can’t seem to die.”
“You better not.” She gave Max a kiss on the cheek. “Because we’re going to build a beautiful house and start a whole new family history there, all of us, together. With Judah, of course.”
From the sofa, where he’d jumped up when Max stood, Judah swished a tail at the sound of his name.
“You’re staying here?” Molly’s voice rose with excitement as she reached excitedly for Evie. “Please work with me. Please.”
Evie laughed. “Bitter Bark needs a vet neurologist, and I’ll need an office, so yes. And I might teach some classes at the college, too.”
That got a huge reaction, but Gramma Finnie narrowed her gaze at Declan. “Live together?” she asked in a harsh whisper. “I mean, I know that’s fine nowadays, but, lad, not what I expected.”
“Can I please do this my way, Gramma?”
She relaxed a little. “Of course.” She turned to Yiayia. “Don’chya be worryin’, Agnes. He’s doing it his way, so our work is essentially done.”
“It’s not done,” Yiayia said. “We have three more grandchildren.”
“Uh-oh,” Ella said, lifting her hands and pretending to back up. “I feel a sudden long trip coming up. Madagascar? Maybe New Zealand…”
“Don’t run off, Smella,” Yiayia said, cracking everyone up with the name only Mahoneys used. “It’s time for a Santorini next.”
“But Theo’s in San Diego, and Nick’s in Africa,” Daniel reminded them.
“No matter,” Yiayia said. “The Dogmothers are unstoppable.”
As everyone laughed about that and Colleen announced that Santorini’s Deli had a lunch all set up in the dining room for them, Declan wrapped Evie in a hug and whispered, “Let’s sneak out.”
“And leave Granddaddy?”
He tipped his head to where the octogenarians were already in a tight group, and holy hell, Gramma Finnie had a flask out. “I don’t think he’ll miss us. And I want to finish this morning by going full circle, E.” He put his lips to her ear. “Let’s go up to the mountains. To our campsite. I can’t wait any longer.”
“You want to start tonight’s party early?”
“I want to make good on a promise I made a long time ago. Bring Judah. This might not have happened if he hadn’t done the talking for me that day in the bakery.”
* * *
Evie hadn’t been to the lakeside campsite in more than twenty years, but that feeling of déjà vu swamped her again. In the first week of November, it was deserted, with the blue autumn sky turning the water near navy and plenty of trees still showing off shades of crimson and fiery orange.
Judah had fallen asleep on the way up, but he barked happily as soon as Declan stopped the truck, eager to jump out and explore.
“When was the last time you were here?” Evie asked as Declan helped Judah out.
“I spent the night of the Living Museum party here.”
“Really?” She blinked in surprise. “You never told me that.”
“I forgot.” He reached into the back and gathered up a blanket. “Slept under this, not that I slept much.”
Judah bounded off, then suddenly slowed, as if he remembered he didn’t like to be alone. Turning, he came back to walk between them down to the dock.
“What did you do, if you didn’t sleep?”
“Talked to my dad.”
“Aww. About?”
“You, of course. And I planned…this. Today. Coming back here.”
She slid her arm around him. “Do you think we can come back on our birthday?”
“Every year. And bring…Judah.” He inched closer. “And whoever else happens to tag along in a stroller.”
She bit her lip and wrapped her arms around him. “So is that why you brought me here? Thought the mountain air might make those swimmers even more eager to get egged?”
“Nope.” He took a step away and reached into his pocket. “I wanted to give you this.”
For a moment, her heart leaped, expecting…the little black box. But that
