With her two daughters coming home, Susan Dudley had prepared a huge meal. But she still felt it wasn't lavish enough for a guest like Shane Sterling, so she also took out the sausages and cured pork she'd made for the New Year and started steaming them.
The kitchen was bustling with activity, but out in the courtyard, Isabelle and Shane Sterling sat in awkward silence.
Isabelle truly couldn't understand. 'Why is he staying for dinner?'
"What's with that look?" Shane Sterling stared at her. "You don't want to treat me to dinner, do you?"
"Of course not."
"Besides, you still owe me a meal. After this, we can call it even."
Isabelle lowered her eyes. "I'm just worried you might not be used to this kind of food."
"What's there to not be used to? Are you stewing human flesh in that pot of yours?"
He looked as if he was challenging her to see what excuse she could possibly come up with.
Isabelle burst out laughing.
