“Oh, that makes much more sense.” She took a bite. It was good.
“People debate whether it’s a mushroom or a fungus,” Lillith said. “Arguments can be made for both sides.”
“It’s a good thing I took a bite before you mentioned fungus,” Bryn said. “Because that is not an appetizing description.”
“So, I hear that your grandmother has started planning an estate for you,” Lillith said.
“Where did you hear that from?” Bryn stared pointedly at Jaxon. “I thought it was supposed to be a secret.”
“Your grandmother shared the information with me,” Lillith said. “She comes over to spend time with Asher and we discuss all sorts of topics.”
“Good to know that I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore,” Bryn said. “I was worried you might be upset.” Or try to stop it. And there was no way she was living under the same roof as Ferrin. This dinner was difficult enough.
“I understand that you two will want your own home. And your grandmother has wonderful taste, so I’m sure whatever she comes up with will be spectacular.”
“The next time you speak to her, please let her know that I want the W’s on the front gates to match the ones here at Westgate Estate,” Jaxon said. “It’s a tradition I’d like to continue.”
Ferrin seemed to brighten at that news. “Good to know you’ve inherited my pride in our family name.”
“Did I mention that I’m considering keeping my maiden name after we’re married?” Bryn said.
Jaxon’s mouth fell open.
Frost shot from Ferrin’s nostrils.
Bryn grinned. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Lillith pretended to be coughing into her napkin, but Bryn was pretty sure she was laughing.
Once they finished their main course, Bryn hoped for some sort of dessert, but they ended the meal with coffee. What was up with that?
Ferrin excused himself once his cup was empty. Once he was gone, Bryn said, “No dessert?”
“Ferrin isn’t a fan of sweets. Unlike your grandfather, we don’t end most meals with dessert.”
“That’s just wrong,” Bryn said.
Lillith grinned. “Go open the box next to the crystal decanter on the sideboard.”
Bryn walked over and opened the intricately carved wooden box. Inside she found individually wrapped pieces of chocolate. “That’s much better.” She grabbed six pieces and carried them back to the table, giving two each to Jaxon and Lillith.
“I prefer this type of truffle myself,” Lillith said.
“Me, too.” Bryn finished off one truffle in a few bites. While unwrapping the next one, she said, “Jaxon mentioned that you were concerned about me spending time with my mother over the holidays, so I wanted to let you know that I’ll be visiting them at their cabin tomorrow. And it might be better not to try and involve my mother in any Blue events.”
Lillith frowned. “You’re probably right. I spoke to Marie after I talked to Jaxon and she didn’t think it was a good idea. I guess it will take time for them to come to some sort of understanding.”
What could she say to that? “I think my parents will be part of the community at Sanctuary and I’m thrilled to have them back—and alive—and I plan on spending time with them, but I doubt that my grandparents will ever invite them to any events at Sinclair Estate. Co-existing peacefully in separate locations might be the best we can hope for.”
“Maybe after the holidays we could set up a small dinner for just the women in our families. Honestly, I’ve always been curious about your mother and I’d love to meet her.” She glanced at Jaxon. “Do not share that information with your father.”
“I’m going to pretend I never heard that odd bit of knowledge. In fact, I’m going to my room for something. Bryn you can stay here and visit with my mother.” And then he fled.
Lillith laughed. “Poor Jaxon. He’s so proud of his father, but he also understands that it’s best if certain things are kept private because Ferrin isn’t easy to live with.”
“No?” Bryn feigned disbelief.
“Hard to believe, I know,” Lillith said. “But honestly, I’ve had a good life. Part of the reason I’m curious about your mother is because my life is her nightmare. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around.”
Bryn was pretty sure she could explain but didn’t think that would be polite.
“You and Jaxon seem to be getting along better,” Lillith said with a knowing grin.
Was Lillith looking for some sort of confession? That wasn’t going to happen. “I think the news about the house really threw him, but other than that we’ve been figuring out how to spend time together without annoying each other too much.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Bryn wasn’t sure what to expect at Sanctuary. The words “old mining town” conjured a vision of dirt roads and rundown buildings. In reality, it looked more like a camp, with cabins, in an overgrown forest.
Clint and Ivy rode with Bryn to the front gate where her parents stood waiting.
“Thanks for coming with me,” she said. “I’ll introduce you when you come back from Dragon’s Bluff.”
“Have fun,” Ivy said.
Bryn climbed out of the SUV and approached the guards standing at the admission checkpoint.
“Who are you visiting?” the guard asked.
“My parents, Ian and Sara McKenna.”
The guard made her sign in and gave her a lanyard to wear which had a numbered pass card. “This is so we can keep track of who comes and goes. Don’t lose it.”
“I understand.”
The guard waved Bryn through the gate and she ran to hug her parents.
“There’s my girl,” her dad said.
He looked more like himself, standing tall without assistance. She pointed at his leg, noticing the different brace. “That’s new, and you don’t have your cane anymore.”
“No.” Her dad took a few steps to show how the brace worked. “Your friend Garret is a genius.”
“He is pretty smart,” Bryn agreed.
“Come on.” Her mom hooked her elbow through Bryn’s. “I can’t wait to give you the tour.”
They walked down a dirt road which branched off in three different directions. “Straight ahead is the Community Center, but our cabin is this way.” They walked down the right-hand road, passing several cabins, which appeared rustic but well restored. They reminded her of Valmont’s cabin. The wood was bleached with age and vegetation grew up some of the walls making it look like the wooden structures were part of the landscape.
“Did you have to chop back the plants to find the cabins?” Bryn asked.
“Sometimes,” her dad said. “But we left some of the greenery because it helps insulate the building, and in some cases, it seems to be holding the logs together.”
When they reached her parents’ cabin Bryn understood what he meant. The vines grew up and around the house, looping around some of the logs which gave the whole structure an otherworldly appearance.
“It looks like something out of a fairy tale,” Bryn said.
Her mom laughed. “That wasn’t the case when we first came here. It was more like something out of a horror movie.” She led Bryn up the walk. “Come inside. That’s where you can really see what we’ve done.”
Bryn entered the house. The front door opened onto the living room with a couch and rocking chair. One step up from the front room was a kitchen with an apartment-sized stove and a refrigerator. Shelves above the farmhouse sink held dishes and utensils. Off to the side stood a pantry which looked like it had been partially sunken into the wall. Intricate carvings of leaves and vines decorated the doors in an almost geometric pattern.
“That’s cool.” Bryn pointed at the cabinet.
“Yeah.” Her dad rubbed his chin. “That was one of those make-the-best-of-it moments. I wanted to put in a storage closet, but that was beyond my woodworking skills.”
“He almost brought the whole wall down.” Her mom laughed. “But some neighbors helped us reinforce the area and then they built the cabinet to fit inside the niche that was left.”
“I like to think of it as a happy accident,” her dad said.