Luke reached over and squeezed her hand. “That was three months ago, as you pointed out earlier. Time has a way of moving on, even when we aren’t ready.”

Gloriana looked at Luke and nodded. “That’s very true. I can scarcely believe it’s almost 1870. It seemed just yesterday that we were celebrating 1869’s coming. Now it’s nearly Christmas, and then it will be the New Year, and before we know it, the harbor will be open again.”

The doughnuts and chocolate arrived. Luke announced that while the chocolate was good for drinking, it was also very good for dunking doughnuts. Everyone gave it a try and found it to be true. They talked about their day and shared the food until it was gone. Gloriana marveled that JT had eaten three doughnuts and then announced that she’d had two. That meant Luke had eaten seven by himself.

He patted his stomach. “When a man works hard, he has to eat plenty.”

She rolled her eyes but said nothing.

After Luke paid the check, they picked up a sleeping Sally, who looked no worse for the wear. The day had turned out exactly as Luke had hoped it would. Now, if they could manage the evening as well, it would be the perfect day.

Gloriana looked at Luke and frowned. “Christmas ornaments? Well, we have some homemade ones.”

“Perfect. Where are they? I’ll fetch them.”

She worried her lip for a moment. “I believe they’re in the attic. We usually string cranberries and popcorn for the garland.”

“Wonderful. Do you have some of those?”

Gloriana nodded. “I can pop some corn in the fireplace. Just let me put Sally down to bed first. JT can show you how to reach the attic.”

She took the baby and moved to the kitchen, where she already had a bottle warming on the stove. Sally was hungry and fussy but never all that much trouble. While Gloriana tested the temperature of the milk, the baby wiggled and squirmed but issued only the faintest cries from time to time. It was as if she wanted to remind Gloriana of her situation but didn’t want to be rude. It made Gloriana smile.

“You really are the very best baby in the world.”

She took the baby to the bedroom where she usually fed her. Even though these days she didn’t have to hide the bottle from Sally anymore, Gloriana found it such a peaceful respite. Her mother used to say there was nothing more calming than feeding her babies. She would sit back and put the child to her breast, and it seemed as if all the cares of the day faded away as the infant latched on.