Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(104)

Just as she was about to tap on the door, it swung open to reveal an older man with a shock of thick white hair, slightly stooped shoulders and a broad, welcoming smile.

“Something tells me that you’re the long-missing daughter of our favorite chef,” he said. “And I’m Dillon O’Malley.”

“Kiera’s father,” Deanna concluded. “I’ve been hearing stories about you.”

“At least some of them good, I hope.”

“All of them,” she assured him. “It’s your own wife and daughter sharing them, after all.”

“Ah, but Kiera hasn’t always spoken so highly of me. I’m sure she’s told you that, as well.”

“She mentioned it,” Deanna admitted. “But only to help me see that father-daughter relationships could be complicated. In my particular circumstances, I found that to be comforting.”

“Indeed. Now, come in. Nell’s expecting you. She’s in the kitchen taking fresh scones from the oven right now,” he said, gesturing toward the back of the house. “I’ll leave the two of you to your tea and visit.”

“Don’t let me chase you off.”

“You’re not. Don’t tell my wife, but this is the time of day I sneak away in search of a decent cup of coffee,” he confided.

Laughing at the idea of him needing to keep his caffeine habit from Nell, Deanna let him go and headed in the direction of the kitchen that he’d pointed out, though she honestly didn’t need his directions. The aromas would have drawn her exactly this way.

“There you are,” Nell said. “Sit down and tell me what’s happened since yesterday. I sensed you had a bit of news when you called.”

“You have no idea. I think our meddling days are at an end.” Barely containing her own excitement, she announced, “My father’s proposed to Kiera. I was right there for every word. Well, almost. He threw me out at the end, but to be honest, I lingered just outside the kitchen door.”

Nell looked stunned. “You’re sure of this? As stubborn as the two of them are, I thought it would take more of an effort.”

Deanna nodded. “So did I. I was looking forward to conspiring with you. After all, my father’s gone all these years since my mom left without replacing her, though there were complicated reasons behind that. They could have been overcome, if there’d been someone important, though. And, from what you told me yesterday, Kiera’s been hesitant about commitment, as well.”

“But she said yes this time, of course,” Nell said confidently.

Deanna chuckled. “How well do you know Kiera? Weren’t you the one who repeated just now how stubborn she can be?”

Looking even more startled, Nell sat down. “She turned him down?” she asked with evident disbelief. “Stubborn is one thing, but this...” She shook her head. “I never expected this.”

Deanna explained the deal that had been reached the night before. “Thank goodness I eavesdropped, even though I know it’s a very bad habit to get into. I stood there rooting for her to say yes right away, but I have to admit, I thought this was pretty clever on her part. It ups the ante for your competition, too, by the way, whether that was her intention or not.”

“Clever to make him wait, perhaps, but awfully risky. What if something goes wrong? What if she wins, your father is humiliated and withdraws his proposal? Men can do some incredibly stupid things when their pride’s been hurt, especially in public.”

“You probably know a lot more about that sort of thing than I do,” Deanna admitted. “I suppose it’s up to us to see that my father wins this contest.”

Nell nodded. “Yes, of course. And that’s exactly what we’ll do, even if some people conclude that I especially am being a traitor to a family member to suggest such a thing. I can hardly reveal why it’s so vital, now, can I?”

Deanna regarded her worriedly. “I hadn’t thought of what people might think of your role in this. I can do all of the campaigning. No one will think a thing about it if I’m trying to rally people to my father’s side. The only trouble is, no one in town knows or respects me as they do you.”

“I’ve been called worse than a traitor from time to time,” Nell said, waving off the concern. “In the end everyone will see why it was necessary for me to take Bryan’s side. Besides, he works for my grandson and has been using my recipe at the pub. Some will think that I’m defending that out of my own sense of pride and loyalty to Luke.”

“Will they forgive you for taking sides against Kiera, though?” Deanna asked worriedly. “Especially Dillon?”

Nell shrugged. “I’ve had to earn forgiveness a time or two in my life. I can do it again.”

Deanna nodded slowly. “Then where should we start?”

Nell’s expression turned thoughtful. “First we have to determine what we’re going to tell people. Perhaps we should use the truth after all. A subtle whisper here and there should spread the word in no time. Everyone likes knowing they’ve played a part in the outcome of a good love story. That might be our best tactic.”

“I agree,” Deanna said with enthusiasm. “What next?”

She wasn’t at all surprised when Nell got a sheet of paper and began making a list, divvying up people they could contact and making notes for Deanna on the best approach to take with each of them. Deanna concluded military strategies were probably decided with only slightly more attention to detail.