Everyone gathered around the wooden table in the center of the room. The seats were long, narrow benches.
Since their were many of them, they all naturally gave the main seat to Dominic
Only three spots remained. Byron cheerfully called, "Vespera, sit with me."
But before she could even respond, she was dragged off by Dominic
"He''s still growing. Don''t crowd him," Dominic said calmly as he guided Vespera down beside him.
shended hard, her hip-colliding with the edge of the bench
Being mmed onto a live andpletely unforgiving.
-wide wooden nk wasn''t exactly a gentle experience. It felt like she had just been whacked with a solid board-sharp, sudden,
warm and festive
Once everyone was seated, Tamara cheerfully served ina, along with sweets, fruits, and snacks. The atmosphere was warm.
Something about it timed Vespera''s memory.
And then it hit her-this was just like when she was add, and her grandmother took her to watch a wedding in a nearby vige. The bride and groom had sat at the southem side of the table, just like now...
Vespa massaged her temple, forcing herself to stayposed and pretend she was rxed.
“These muffins just came out of the oven. Have some," Tamara said, cing a basket on the table.
Awam, bottery amma walted through the room.
Reba eyed them with interest. "They look amazing."
Vespera shot her a look. "Did you already forget you had an upset stomach? You really want to test your limits?
"Fine, fine. I won''t eat them." Reba obediently retracted her reaching hand.
jade said with a smile, "It''s fine. Muffins are light and easy on the stomach My grandma makes the best mudīns.
To prove her point, she picked one up and pulled her mask down slightly to nibble at it. The sweet scent of butter filled the rooms.
Honestly, it did sinell incredible.
Everyone nodded and murmured praise. Vespera reached into the basket for one as well, but in the end, she just held it in her hand. "Where are Uncle Fred and everyone else? Why are you home alone, Grandmajade asked Tamara, ncing around. Tamara replied. "oh, they all went to a party in the next town. A neighbor''s kid got married. They won''t be back untilte tonight." "A wedding?" Jade blinked, then looked over at Reba, silently asking what they should do now.
Reba just smiled and shook her head. It was fine.
At this point, she wasn''t really counting on their candum seach yielding results. ire and Tina were already on their way here. That evening, they ended not to take action immediately. The deadline was tomorrow night, and they were determined to move then. However, if they could find something earlier, it would certainly be better
Tamara went back outside to continue peeling fruit.
Jadened close to Reba and whispered, "Since we''re already here, should I go ask my grandma?"
Reba thought about it for a moment before nodding "Sure, I think that''s a good idea. Do you want me toe with you?
"No need, you all stay here, I''ll go ask, Jade said as she got up and quietly left the room.
The others mined seated, chatting.
Dominic''s gate drifted to the windowsill, which was covered in dust. Vespera exchanged nces with Reba, and Calvest once again, imed he needed to use thesom. Momentster, he disappeared willout atra
It had probably Bernabout 20 minutes when Jade finally retumed.
She quietly spoke to Reba, "My grandmother said there are quite a few ces like that around here. I asked her to tell me everything she knew, and I wrote it down should we go check them out?"
Reba pulled her aside by the side door. "How many ces it the description? Are they tar?"
Jade said, "There are three. They are all close.
"Our is in this vige, and the other two are inneighboring viges. I wiele down the vige names and general directions. If we move quickly, we can checkthen
Reberra took the note from jade, snapping a photo to keep for reference. "Let''s go. We''ll lead out w
As she began to walk back into the room, Jade pulled her back and nced around the room, het eyes darting toward Dominic. "What about Mr. Reid? is heing with us!
"Can you ask him to stay behind? I''m afraid of bin