Inside, the house smelled like home, food, warmth, and comfort. Bella felt her shoulders relax without her permission.
Raymond stepped into view then, eyes scanning the group. He smiled at Timothy, nodded at Jake, then his gaze shifted subtly.
"Rachel couldn't make it?" he asked casually, as though it didn't matter.
Bella noticed the effort it took to sound casual. "She's home tonight," Bella said gently. "She really doesn't like tagging along."
Raymond nodded, disappointment flickering for half a second before he masked it. "I see."
Evelyn clapped her hands lightly. "Dinner's almost ready. Bella, Timothy, sweetheart, come see what Grandpa Charles has been saving for you."
They moved to the dining room, where the table was set beautifully, although not extravagantly, but thoughtfully.
As they ate, Evelyn tried to ask Bella about all there was to know about her and sometimes, talked about Jake's childhood which got Bella to relax even more.
