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two of silence, Clarissa clicked her heels out of the dining room. And the three women sighed in relief.
    Jessica approached our table before I could ask Vi and Mom why Clarissa had gotten such a cool reception.
    She looked at the door and Clarissa’s retreating back.
    “Wallace just told me he didn’t have a room for you. I might—”
    “It’s okay, Jessica, we worked it out,” Vi said. “We’re all sharing.” She gestured around the table.
    Jessica gave me a sympathetic smile and I liked her even more.
    “Well, let us know if you need anything,” she said. “Mother and I have always prided ourselves on making our guests feel at home.” She glanced at the doorway. “Even before Clarissa joined us.”
    “Thank you, I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Mac said.
    Jessica moved to the next table just as Wally came to announce he would act as our waiter and to describe the menu for the evening.
    “Vi says you’ll be sharing our room, Clyde,” Mom said as she passed me the bread basket. “That will be so exciting—like a girls’ weekend. We can’t let Dad and Seth have all the fun.”
    “I haven’t had a chance for some quality time with my son in years!” Lucille told the table.
    Mac studied his plate and took deep breaths.
    “I hope you and Mac can find something to do while we’re in our workshops,” Vi said to me. “Isabel has a very packed schedule for the weekend.”
    I thought about how we wouldn’t be sipping cocktails and relaxing on the beach.
    “Clyde, I’m sure you could join us,” Lucille said, and looked at me hopefully. She was determined to make a knitter out of me. Vi and Mom had given up years ago to focus on pressuring me to use my psychic talents. Knitting was a distant second on their priority list.
    “I should probably keep Mac company,” I said.
    “But Mac can knit,” Lucille said.
    The table fell silent as every eye was trained on Mac. He rested his elbow on the table and put his head in his hand.
    “Didn’t you tell her?” Lucille asked
    “It never came up, Mom,” Mac mumbled to his plate.
    “I knew it!” Vi said.
    “You knew that Mac could knit?” I said.
    “No, I knew we’d figure out a way to get you to take a class. If Mac is there, too, it will be just like the vacation you planned.”
    “Not exactly, Vi,” I said.
Not even close
.
    Violet gave me a crooked smile. “Well, there aren’t any beaches here, but you can still have some fun.” She nodded once to end the discussion.
    Fortunately, Wally arrived just at that moment with our meals. He apologized that the menu had been severely limited. The chef wanted to conserve supplies in case they couldn’t get back out for a couple of days to replenish. I shuddered to consider that we could be stuck here for a couple of days.
    My first bite of the coq au vin had me hoping we would never have to leave. The slightly salty, savory chicken and mushrooms was rapidly eclipsing all other favorite dishes. I’m not much of a foodie, and even less of a cook, but I recognized that this was something special.
    “Wow,” I said. “This is incredible.”
    Vi nodded. “They’re pretty impressed with their chef.”
    “They should be,” I said.
    The room grew quiet as everyone focused on their meal. After a few minutes, the door swung open and the chef appeared. He made his way among the tables, accepting praise and chatting with the guests. He wore a white smock and a tall white hat. I was surprised to see he was about my age—probably early thirties.
    He stopped to talk to Mavis and Selma. They both blushed furiously at something he said.
    “Ah, our newest guests,” he said when he reached our table. “I am René Sartin, head chef. I hope you are enjoying the dinner.” He had a heavy French accent and I had a weird sense of watching a bit of dinner theater.
    After graciously receiving compliments from our table, he gave a short bow and strode back into the kitchen.
    I leaned toward Vi after René left.
    “Vi,