Chapter 13

Between discussing what everyone had done for Christmas morning and what everyone’s plans were for the New Year, Marie commented, “This shepherd’s pie is delicious! Well done, Ella.”

“Actually, Ethan and Caleb made the shepherd’s pie this year. I did the roast and soup instead.”

Marie pursed her lips. She was caught between admitting I was good at something or rescinding her statement. She instead chose to go with her customary “Hmmph!” then returned to her meal.

Dorothy was the next to speak up, although she wasn’t as concerned with how she sounded. “I meant to ask, are those popcorn strings on the tree part of your ‘Yule ritual’ or whatever too?”

“What popcorn strings?” Marie asked.

“Didn’t you see them? They have a few hung up on a shrub outside and the rest are on the tree in the living room!”

“Hmmph! I thought that was a Christian thing! Not a very practiced one, but still.”