Chapter 7 #3
Sheridan stopped short as Evie held the swinging door open. It looked like the whole town was standing in that room, everyone talking, cooking and baking, laughing. And all at once, panic set in.
“It’s all right.” Tia Evie squeezed her hand. “We’ll be gentle.”
Sheridan didn’t say anything.
“Everyone, this is Sheridan DuBois,” Evie announced and squeezed her hand again in reassurance.
All the people filling the kitchen turned at once.
Sheridan stilled even as her heart thundered in her chest. If she thought her palms were damp before, she was mistaken, as one by one, Lucy’s extended family introduced themselves, even the boys, their manners above reproach, completely opposite of the way they’d greeted Lucy and Ben.
There was no way she’d remember the names of so many people.
That, however, did not overshadow the feeling of contentment by the warm welcome she received.
There was so much love in this house, in this family, much different than what she’d grown up with.
It was overwhelming, and twice, she had to swallow hard over the lump in her throat.
She especially liked Hilde, who reminded her of Mrs. Gallagher, except the accent was different.
Whereas Mrs. Gallagher’s Irish came out when she spoke, Hilde’s was German, at least, that’s what Sheridan thought, especially when she gently reprimanded the children.
She liked Savannah, Lucy’s niece, too. Obviously, the girl didn’t have the same rules applied to her as Sheridan had grown up with, and the difference was more than amazing. Savannah was happy, carefree, confident and a regular little chatterbox, the complete opposite of her.
Her nervousness started to disappear. She shouldn’t have been worried about what these people would think of her, having inherited Josie’s parlor house.
Not one looked at her any differently than they would a stranger on the street and it was all too much.
Tears made her vision blurry as she sat at the long kitchen table and was given a cup of coffee.
“Where’s Teddy?” Lucy asked after she received her last hug and slid onto the bench next to her.
“He’s in the stable.” Esmeralda laughed as she, too, sat. “Showing off the foals that were born two springs ago.” She pulled Miguel a little closer to her. “Go tell your father we have company.”
“Okay, mama!” The boy grabbed his coat from the coat rack beside the door and rushed out to do her bidding, leaving the kitchen door wide open.
“That boy! I swear he was born in a barn!” She rose from her seat and closed the door.
“And Heath?” Lucy asked Jenny, who stood at the butcher block table and chopped carrots, adding them to a big bowl as she worked.
“He’s manning that barbeque pit he built last year. He’s grilling even though it’s so cold out.” Jenny laughed, too. “You know your brother. Any excuse at all to cook over open flames. We’re having steak.”
“I love steak!” Savannah chimed in before she wandered over to Hilde to help her with the dishes filling the sink.
“Me, too!” Ramon shouted, much too loud for the room. “I like ice cream, too! We’re havin’ that for dessert!”
“Tell us about yourself, Sheridan.” Tia Evie drew her attention.
Sheridan froze.
“It’s all right.” Tia Evie patted her hand. “You don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to. I realize the Silva clan can be a little overwhelming.”
She cleared her throat. “I taught piano and voice at Bouchard’s School for Girls in New Orleans.”
“I’m just learning how to play. Aunt Felicity is teaching me.” Savannah put down the plate she’d been drying and walked over to hug Aunt Felicity.
“And you’re doing so well, too. Never saw a person with as much natural talent as you.” The older woman returned the hug and the wave of love between the two could be felt from across the room.
How much different her life would have been if she’d had people like this in it. People who openly showed their emotions and their affections. People who were truly proud of and encouraged each other. It made her want to be more like them.
“You’re a fellow teacher. How wonderful,” Jenny spoke, interrupting her train of thought. She dumped the last of the carrots into a bowl then wandered over to the sink to rinse them, gently moving Hilde, who was elbow-deep in soapy water, out of the way.
“I taught school as well,” Jenny said over her shoulder. “I came here from New Jersey to teach in town and then I met Heath. Actually, Tia Evie introduced us. Serenity is a wonderful place. Are you liking it?”
Sheridan answered, “Yes, it’s a lovely town. Most of the people I’ve met have been very friendly.”
“Ja, you’ll find that here.” Hilde dried her hands and moved away from the sink.
“When Evie and I first came here, we didn’t know anyone, but even so, complete strangers were helpful, concerned for our well-being.
The Zepedas on the next ranch over were especially kind.
Marisol and Evie are still best friends. ”
“Do you miss New Orleans?”
The question came from Catalina, and it struck her. Did she miss New Orleans? There really wasn’t much for her there. “Actually, I don’t. I think I’d like to stay here.”
Lucy patted her hand. “I’m glad.” She leaned a bit closer and lowered her voice. “Now, you just need to find that buyer for your business.”
“Yes. And it’s the first thing I’ll do tomorrow.”
A blast of frigid air swept into the room as the kitchen back door opened.
Miguel entered, his cheeks rosy as he shrugged out of his coat and hung it up.
He was followed by a tall man with gray in his hair and beard, who went straight to Tia Evie and gave her a kiss.
A second man came in, so bow-legged he seemed to be still in the saddle, his pure white hair puffing around his head, then a third, younger than the other two but just as handsome.
Sheridan rose from her seat as introductions were quickly made.
She met Jake Hannigan, Tia Evie’s mail-order husband.
It seemed like the match was made in heaven.
The bow-legged man was Antonio, Hilde’s husband, former foreman for Montana del Trueno.
He was retired now and only offered advice, but seemed happy to do so.
The third man held out his hand. “Teddy Silva. Welcome to our home.”
The door remained open, letting freezing air into the house. “Are you coming in or just gonna stand outside?” Teddy yelled to someone who was still outside.
“I’m getting the dirt off my boots.”
Sheridan heard Wyatt’s voice even as that funny little tickle settled in her stomach. God knows, she’d heard it often enough in the dreams that seemed to invade her sleep lately.
“I don’t want to be dragging dirt into the house. Hilde might just come after me with a wooden spoon. Or a cast-iron skillet. I hear she’s got a wicked swing.”
“I promise she won’t hit you. Just come inside and close the door,” Teddy ordered, “before I decide to go after you with her skillet. You’re letting all the cold air in.”