She decided to let it go, not wanting another dramatic scene to happen in front of her niece. Taking the high road was something her mother had taught her well. She didn’t always do it, but at least she knew about it.

“Ya’ll can have a seat at the table,” Mia said, pointing at the large, rectangular oak table her mother had bought for the B&B right when it opened. It had always been her favorite piece of furniture in the place, with its occasional marks and scratches left by guests - or their kids - over the years. Charlene had said it gave the table “character”, and Mia could see that now.

“Good evening!”

Mia turned to see one of her favorite guests, Dave Callahan, walk into the kitchen. He walked over, kissed the top of her head and laughed in his own boisterous way. Dave had been coming to stay at the B&B for years, always showing up the same date each year - May 15. Mia had always wanted to ask him why he came on that date and no other, but she didn’t want to pry. She was more in the habit of letting guests reveal things about themselves in their own time. She was only there to make their visit special, and Dave always left with a smile.

“Well, good evening yourself,” Mia said with a smile. She hoped to have the warm, welcoming personality her mother did so that guests would come back year after year. Living in such a rural place, she felt like these people were her extended family.

“I see we have some new friends at the table tonight,” he said as he walked over to Evie and Kate. “My name’s Dave. And you are?”

“I’m Kate, and this is my daughter, Evie.”

“Lovely to meet you,” he said, tipping his fedora hat before sitting down. Dave was an older, very Southern man with still a hint of an Irish accent. His parents had emigrated to the United States when he was, as he called it, “a wee laddie”, but Dave was still as Southern as they came.

“Nice to meet you too,” Kate said.

Mia carried a large bowl of chicken and dumplings to the table, steam rising from them, condensation wetting the glass bulbs on the breakfast room light fixture above. She handed Evie a large spoon. “Dig in!”

As they started filling their bowls with the dumplings, Mia brought a pitcher of sweet tea and some homemade biscuits to the table, along with apple butter.

She watched Kate stare at the food for a moment before pouring herself a glass of tea. “So, are there other guests?” she asked.

“We have the newlywed couple, but they are… um… keeping to themselves,” Mia said, cutting her eyes up at Kate.

“Gotcha.”