“Oh, I just had an early morning,” she said.
“Lots of guests?”
“Yes. And... Well, one of the Garretts’ cousins is staying there. And he’s helping with the ranch, so I wanted to get up early and get him some breakfast.”
“I see,” Alison said, a little bit too keenly. She started to wipe at a spot on the counter, then paused. “A handsome guest?”
“You’re being nosy,” Violet said.
“An understandable amount of nosy,” she said.
“Says you,” Violet said. “I think it’s invasive.”
“You only think it’s invasive because he’s hot,” Alison said.
“Tell me about your Christmas cookie plans,” Violet said, changing the subject.
“Oh, I have plans,” Alison said. “They involve so much royal icing.”
The subject happily changed, Violet made it through the morning smoothly.
“Are you sure you’re all right with me leaving?”
“I’m fine,” Violet said, waving her hand as her stepmother started to depart around two o’clock.
“It’s just you got up so early...”
“I’m fine,” Violet reiterated.
She set about to making the quiches for the next day, and a few minutes later her aunt Clara walked in. Clara really wasn’t like an aunt. Clara was her best friend.
Clara was only four years older than Violet, and that gap really didn’t matter now. She had married Violet’s uncle Alex a few years earlier. Alex seemed young, but he was also a full ten years older than his wife. Something his brothers liked to give him a hard time about.
Violet was grateful for her.
Sugar-loving Clara was one of the best people to be around, in her opinion.
“Good afternoon,” Clara said. “I am seeking a sugar fix.”
“Where are your adorable children?” Violet asked.
“With their equally adorable father. They’re getting food for the family dinner Sunday. So that I don’t have to. And thank God.”
Everybody contributed their own piece to the Donnelly family dinners one Sunday a month. It was massive, and there was always way too much food.
“What a guy,” Violet said.
“He is. But I would like cookies and a hot chocolate, please.”
“Coming right up.”
“Sure.”
Violet started making the hot chocolate, which she always put a little extra vanilla in to suit Clara’s tastes.
She served the cookies warm. Clara sat down at one of the tables by the window, and since the bakery was otherwise empty, Violet joined her.
“How long can you keep working at both places?” Clara asked.