Page 77

“She’s a mess,” Sadie laughed as Everleigh headed into the kitchen.

“She’s a mini-Mason.”

“Hey, how is Mason? When should she know if the procedure worked?”

“Mama said it would be a few weeks.”

“Will you keep me updated?”

Ellie smiled sweetly. “Of course, babe.”

Babe.

The word echoed in Sadie’s mind as Ellie picked up the duffle bag and followed Everleigh into the kitchen. Almost the entire Mackenzie family was already in the kitchen or at the large dining room table. Alexis and Blake were feeding the kids while Maddie and Walker chatted with them. Isla, Vera, and Eden were in what seemed to be deep conversation near the coffee pot, so they avoided that corner of the kitchen. Chase and Mason were by the griddle where Chase was flipping pancakes.

“Chef Chase, at your service.” She dramatically bowed as Sadie and Ellie sat on the barstools across from her. “Would you lovely ladies like blueberries or chocolate chips?”

“Both,” they answered in unison as they giggled.

“Coming right up.”

As Chase made them breakfast, Mason poured them each a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Sadie was definitely going to miss Mackenzie breakfasts when she went back to a protein bar and an energy drink for breakfast.

After serving each of them a plate of pancakes, Mason and Chase joined the rest of the family over at the table. Sadie was glad they did as it offered her and Ellie a quiet breakfast alone. Or. Well. As alone as they could be with over a dozen people around them.

“Good morning, Care Bear,” Vera walked toward Ellie as she wrapped her arms around her and kissed her cheek.

“Morning, Mama.”

Vera moved over to Sadie and gave her a quick hug. “Good morning, Sadie.”

“Good morning, Vera.”

“What’s up with those two?” Ellie jutted her chin toward Isla and Eden who had moved their conversation to the living room. Vera rolled her eyes in response as she sat beside Ellie on the other barstool.

“What do you think?”

“Ugh,” Ellie rolled her eyes, “those two need to just admit they love each other already.”

“Exactly what your mother is in there telling her.”

Sadie leaned in closer to Ellie, gently elbowing her in the rib. “Who are we talking about?”

“Eden’s woman.”

“Eden has a woman?” Sadie gasped.

Although she didn’t know much about Ellie’s aunt, she knew she was on Broadway. And since she wasn’t at the Cape with anyone, Sadie assumed she was single. That, and being Isla’s sister, was all Sadie knew about her.

“We don’t talk about it,” Vera arched an eyebrow as she rolled her eyes.

“Except we do,” Ellie retorted, gaining a smirk from Vera. “We only talk about it whenEdenwants to talk about it. Then she won’t shut up about it.”

“Ellie,” Vera chuckled, and Sadie assumed it was meant to be a scolding that fell short. “Let’s just say that Eden and Mason are the same person. Or well, Mason before Chase, that is. Eden can’t see that her best friendisthe one for her, no matter how loud we and the universe yell that to her.”

“Mom says Eden has to figure that out on her own.”

Ellie’s comment was met by another eye roll and laughter from Vera.