“What he means is that Tess and I finished painting,” I answered, kicking Kash under the table.

His knee hit the tabletop hard enough to disturb the silverware.

“How exciting!” Mom was all smiles, completely unaffected. “I like to see you two getting along,” she said pointedly.

“Oh, they’re getting along all right,” Kash said, sniggering. “Luke just can’t seem to keep his mouth shut about it.”

I was ready to fling my fork at him like a ninja star, but Mom went on, unaware.

“Good,” she said. “That makes me unreasonably happy. Can I finally come see what you’ve done, or will you keep me out of there another day? You know I don’t do well waiting, Lucas.”

“Tomorrow,” I promised. “We’ve still got to put everything back where it goes. Plus, I’ve got a couple surprises for you.”

“I love surprises,” she said, her face all soft and dreamy. “And I’m glad you and Tess are working together. She is such a treasure.” Tears filled her eyes, happy tears. Proud tears. “She’s been my hands for so long, I almost don’t miss it. Almost.”

Every face at that table warmed.

Dad reached for her hand. “Tess would argue it’s you who’s the treasure.”

Mom smiled, sniffling. “Oh, she would, but it’d be a lie. But I appreciate a well-formed fib as much as I appreciate a good surprise.”

I picked up the Tess torch and ran with it. “She jumped right in to help, got her hands dirty, has loads of ideas. We’re working on a few things to show you, things I think you’re gonna flip your lid over.”

“I’m sure my lid will flip elegantly and stick the landing.” She let loose a happy sigh. “I will never get tired of seeing all my children at the dinner table again. Will you, Mr. Bennet?”

“Surely not, Mrs. Bennet,” he said with a smile only for her.

“And all to work in the shop. Here I thought only Kash had any interest. And just like that, all five of my children are home and pitching in. I must be the luckiest mother in the whole world.”

Marcus eyed her with suspicion. “Mom,” he started in warning.

“What?”

“How many blind dates have you set us up on?”

She glanced up at him, attempting at innocent. “Marcus Bennet, I can’t imagine what you might mean.”

“There was no nuance, Mother.”

The color rose in her cheeks. “Well, who could blame me for wanting to see my children in love and married? How else will I ever hold grandchildren? When will I weep at a wedding? Lucas ran off and married that girl, and I didn’t even get any pictures. Laney and Jett are thirty-one. Thirty-one! And I’m only getting older. Soon, I’ll be feeble and frail, and how will I hold babies then?” she rambled her consternation, face flushed and attention on dishing herself out casserole without thought until an insurmountable pile sat on her plate.

“Mom,” Laney warned. “Did you really?”