The Kiss that Sparked it All

Dean jumped in, siding with his grandson, “Balfour, you’re spot on! Xenia, you scared off my savior here, aren’t you going to apologize to her?”

Xenia was a proud woman. There was no way she’d apologize to a young girl like Ellinor.

But Dean had spoken. She had to listen, right?

With all her extensive knowledge and experience, she knew she needed to suck it up sometimes to get things done. She’d wait for the right moment to deal with Ellinor.

So, Xenia forced a smile and said politely, “Ms. Mendoza, I apologize. I didn’t realize your importance earlier and was disrespectful.”

Ellinor smiled back, “It’s okay. I know it wasn’t intentional. No one told you I was the guest today.”

Xenia’s smile froze. What was this girl implying?

Was she hinting that Xenia wasn’t important enough to be informed about the guest?

up her sleeve. Xenia couldn’t underestimate

in Ellinor’s

to

walked to a chair, pulled it out like a

Xenia and her daughter, Ellinor didn’t refuse Balfour’s kind

next to Alyssa, which was usually occupied

Ellinor take her spot. She nearly lost control of her emotions and gritted

Ellinor to sit next to Grandma. That was too much! Ellinor was

as Ellinor sat down, Balfour pulled out another chair and

with her fork, “Ellinor, are

smiled politely, “Thank you, Grandma Alyssa. But there’s so much food, we

“Dean and I didn’t know what you liked, so we asked the kitchen to prepare a variety. Feel

in, “Yes, Ellinor, don’t be shy! Eat whatever you like, and anything you don’t like, just have Balfour move it aside.”