For a Moment's Indiscretion by K.A. Moll

Author:K.A. Moll [Moll, K.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Triplicity Publishing, LLC
Published: 2016-09-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Zane sliced pie triangles, warmed them, and delivered them to the parlor. As she walked a serving tray around their gathering, she noticed that her fire had burned down to embers. She’d been tending it since early morning. As her guests forked their first bites, she excused herself to go get more logs.

“I’ll come with you,” Jaina called out. She uncurled her legs and got up.

“You need help?” Drew called out.

Stacey lifted her head from her wife’s shoulder and looked up.

“No,” Jaina answered, “we used to do this all the time. You just stay put and enjoy your slab of pecan pie. We’ll be right back.”

“If you insist,” Drew said as she slid a small bite into Stacey’s mouth.

“Mmm,” Stacey purred with a glance across to Anna. “Oh darling,” she murmured, “your pie is simply good enough to die for. I’m so glad I took a slice of it as well.”

Anna met her gaze with a satisfied smile. “Why thank you,” she responded with extra drawl.

Jaina slipped on her jacket and followed Zane out the front door. Within minutes, they were back inside with a leather carrier full of logs.

Zane knelt down to stack them. Then, she selected three of the perfect size and layered them at angles atop the bed of red-orange coals.

“You shouldn’t have let it burn down so far,” Janice commented, “might be hard to get it up and burnin’ real nice again without using another match.”

Jaina pursed her lips and frowned. “Zane’s good at this, Mom. I’m sure she can manage on her own,” she responded.

Janice curled her lip, silenced.

Zane exhaled a soft sigh and turned to make eye contact with her mother-in-law. “I think it’ll start up fine if I blow on it like this,” she said softly. She’d put forth extra effort since the beginning, figuring it would be easier if they found a middle ground.

Janice nodded and almost smiled. She settled back into her overstuffed chair and watched.

Once the fire began to crackle, Zane took a position next to Jaina on the sofa. When their eyes met, she sloped her arm around her shoulders.

Jaina’s lips turned upward and her gaze lingered for a moment.

Zane laid her hand over Jaina’s and returned the smile.

The dessert conversation was easy and light.

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