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“I’ve never seen a serving bowl this small,” Haven marveled, and the sisters laughed.

“Everyone says that,” Katherine explained. “Our mom made a set of small serving dishes in a pottery class back when we were little. It was her way of teaching us how to eat family style. Now the grandkids use them.”

Haven smiled. “You’re lucky to have such a thoughtful mother.”

When the serving dishes were filled and taken to the dining room, Katherine was relieved to see Matthew sitting next to Libby. As she studied her dad and Matthew with a skeptical eye, her mother introduced Matthew to Haven.

“Ginny and I are real glad you could all join us,” Jerome said, then led everyone in grace.

When a round of “amens” followed, the serving dishes were passed from person to person around the table as everyone filled their plates. Nearby, the kids’ table had come alive with chatter, while the adult table was uncommonly quieter than normal.

“So, Haven, how are Frank and Isabella doing?” Jerome asked to break the ice.

After Haven answered, other conversations followed. Including talk about the weather in Florida, the differences between big cities and small towns, and finally, football. Much to the dismay of every female in the room, it was the one topic that seemed to linger.

“Is it just me, or do you think Haven Harper might be the infamous Shrinky Dink?” Matthew leaned in and whispered to Katherine. “She’s a perfect match for the description Peter gave us. Also, she did mention to Peter that she works in the medical field.”

“Did Haven just say that?” Katherine whispered back. “I must’ve missed it.”

“No, but I remember her name from the list I received so I could get cleared to return to work.”

“Oh no.” Katherine suddenly paled. “You remember what I told you about Bella Vaughn, right? Well, she’s Bella’s niece,” Katherine added. “I hope she’s nicer than Bella.”

“I’m sure she is.”

“I don’t know.” Katherine shot a worried glance down the table at Haven.

“Stop worrying. Peter can take care of himself. Besides, we don’t know for sure if she really is Shrinky Dink. It was just a hunch.”

“I guess…”

“Katie, focus on us,” Matthew whispered. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay,” she whispered back. “How about you?”

“I’m good, and the food’s great. Although I am disappointed there’s no Yorkshire pudding.”

“We can come back for that another time.” Katherine grinned. “By the way, what do you think of my nan’s homemade noodles? They’re another family tradition.”

“I like them a lot. Can you make them?”

“Maybe even better than my mom. But don’t tell her I said that.”

Matthew chuckled softly. “My lips are sealed.”

As Katherine looked into Matthew’s smiling face, she had to ask the question plaguing her. “So, are things cool between you and my dad?”

“Sure.”

“That’s what you said before you disappeared with him. How about now?”

“I didn’tdisappearwith your dad. We had a private conversation, that’s all,” Matthew said, seeing the uneasiness in Katherine’s eyes. Of course, he couldn’t tell her the Chief had taken him aside to ask when he intended to tell Katherine about Max and Beth Ann. “Everything’s fine. Stop worrying.”

Katherine studied his face. Her first instinct was to dissect his response, but she wanted to keep trusting Matthew because that’s what she’d been doing, even though the slight change in his demeanor when she asked made her think otherwise.

“What did he say?”

Matthew hesitated. “He wanted to knowifandwhenyou and I were going to have a certain serious talk.”