Ivy froze, caught off guard by the sudden turn. What’s going on? Was this their way of putting her in her place on her first dinner with the family?
Before she could respond, Jamison spoke up, his tone sharp. “What, are we so hard up now we can’t even afford staff? Expecting the new daughter–in–law to do chores on her first visit? Or are you just trying to show off, Carla?”
The atmosphere, just beginning to thaw, turned tense again.
Carla glanced around the table before answering her brother, a touch defensive. “Jamison, you’re overthinking it. The soup’s right in front of Ivy–she’s just closest, that’s all.”
Ivy stood, deciding it wasn’t worth making a scene over something so trivial. But before she could reach for the ladle, Jamison caught her hand, stopping her. “I haven’t even asked her to do anything yet, Carla. No need to make a big deal out of it.”
“I—” Carla tried to argue, but Adela Ludwig cut her off. “Call Carola to serve the soup. Stop picking fights where there aren’t any.”
Adela understood her daughter all too well. She knew Carla resented Ivy. That’s why Carla seized on any excuse to throw her weight around, using her status as the eldest. If Jamison were the kind of mama’s boy who never thought for himself, his big sister might actually get away with bossing his wife around. Maybe even bully her a little, and no one would say a word. But her youngest son? He wasn’t afraid of anyone–not even his own father, as he’d just proven. Did Carla really think he’d put up with her attitude? Honestly, it was almost embarrassing to watch her daughter walk right into it.
After Adela’s rebuke, she shot Carla a look. Carla finally realized she’d overplayed her hand. Not only had she failed to establish dominance, she’d made herself look foolish.
The housekeeper swooped in and briskly ladled soup for everyone. People settled back into their seats, and the mood gradually eased.
Chapter 359
Thad and Davina Foster had three kids. Their eldest, a sixteen–year–old son, was away at boarding school overseas. Their middle child, a daughter about to start high school, had her own social life and skipped family dinners whenever she could. So today, they’d only brought their youngest–five–year–old Halley Ludwig.
Halley might have been the smallest at the table, but he was sharp as a tack and full of personality. He adored Jamison, and Jamison doted on him in return.
“Uncle Jamie, you work fast! Just the other day you didn’t even have a girlfriend, and now–bam!-you’ve got a wife!” Halley piped up from across the table, his clear little voice slicing through the awkward quiet.
Before anyone could react, Halley turned to his mother. “Mom, what do I call Uncle Jamie’s wife?”
Davina smiled. “You call her Aunt Ivy.”
Halley, satisfied, hopped up onto his chair, nearly climbing onto the table in his excitement. “Aunt Ivy, my name’s Halley, and I’m Uncle Jamie’s nephew. But you can just call me Hal.” He planted one foot on the chair, the other knee on the table, and–with the air of a pint–sized diplomat–stuck out his hand to Ivy.
Everyone was too stunned to stop him. Someone gasped as he nearly sprawled across the table, but when they saw him introduce himself so cheerfully and confidently, people couldn’t help but laugh in spite of themselves.
Ivy was even more surprised. She’d actually seen this kid before–at the hospital, when Jamison had been carrying him and soothing him gently. Back then, she’d made a complete fool of herself, assuming this little guy was Jamison’s secret child. Now, meeting him officially, she realized Halley was even more impressive than she’d thought. Calling him a social butterfly didn’t cut it–he was a full–blown social juggernaut.
Her surprise melted into a smile. She stood and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Hal. I wasn’t prepared today, but next time, I owe you a big treat!”
Halley nodded solemnly, as if sealing a business deal. “Deal, Aunt Ivy! Don’t forget!”
Chapter 360