Joslyn returned from another room. Seeing Eleanor home, she smiled, "Ma''am, please have a seat. I''ll get dinner started right away."


    "Joslyn, do you need any help?" Eleanor asked.


    "No need, it''s still early. I can handle it on my own." Joslyn didn''t want to interrupt the family''s quality time. She went into the kitchen and even closed the door behind her.


    Eleanor sat down next to her daughter, not wanting to interrupt the little girl''s thoughts. Ian looked at her. "Are you free—the night after tomorrow?"


    Eleanor immediately knew what he meant. It was his birthday. "Yes," she replied.


    Evelyn Goodwin looked up at her father in confusion. "Dad, why don''t you just tell Mom it''s your birthday? She already promised me she''d get you a present."


    Eleanor nodded, feeling a bit awkward. "Yeah."


    The smile onn''s lips deepened. He hadn''t actually expected Eleanor to spend money on a gift; he just wanted her toe over for dinner. He hadn''t anticipated his daughter spoiling the surprise, let alone that Eleanor would be willing to get him something.


    "I''m looking forward to it,"n said, his voice low.


    Eleanor felt a little self-conscious under his gaze. She lowered her eyes and reached out to rub Princess''s big head.


    Evelyn immediately scrambled over ton, wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear, "Dad, what do you want for your birthday? Tell me first, and I''ll secretly tell Mom!"


    Even though the little girl thought she was being quiet, Eleanor heard every word.


    Eleanor pretended not to catch the underlying implication and kept petting Princess. "I''m going to get some work done," she said as she stood up.


    At six-thirty, Joslyn finished cooking and served the hot food. It had been a long time sincen had tasted her cooking.


    Early Saturday morning, Serena


    Goodwin came over. Ian''s get Goodwin Manor and she we


    was going to be celebrated at


    to pick Evelyn up first.


    there


    "Ellie, make sure youe over early today!" Serena told her.


    "Alright, I will," Eleanor promised.


    After they left, Eleanor received a call from Joy Thatcher, who was free to go shopping with her and grab lunch.


    When they met up, Joy heard she was shopping for a birthday gift and asked curiously, "Whose birthday is it?"


    n''s," Eleanor said.


    Joy immediately remembered. "Oh! Right, his birthday is in August." Sheughed. "Honestly, you don''t even need to buy a gift. Whatever you get mm wont mater what he''s really hoping for anyway."


    Eleanor shot her best friend a look, knowing exactly what she was


    implying. She let out an exasperated


    shopping with me, not to tease me."


    "I''m just telling the truth! The guy might as well just announce that all he wants for


    his birthday is you," Joy said bluntly.