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of the year in South Dakota without a jacket?” Joan chuckled. “When I saw you running around out there in your pajamas, I thought I’d die.”
    Heat crept up Georgie’s cheeks. “Sweats. And it’s my first time seeing snow.”
    “We sure get a lot of it so you’re going to get your fill this week. Here, have an apple muffin while they are warm and some coffee.” Joan turned to Julian. “Liam doesn’t have school today so he’s spending the day here. Gracie will be here any minute.”
    “I should get upstairs and get dressed,” Georgie said, starting for the stairway.
    “Nonsense. You haven’t even had breakfast yet,” Joan said as she took the muffins out of the muffin tin and arranged them on a plate. “Have a seat at the table. Julian, pour Georgiana a cup of coffee so she can warm herself.”
    “It’s Georgie,” Georgie said, hoping she wasn’t insulting Joan by correcting her. “My birth name is Georgie.”
    “Really?” Joan said with a smile. “That’s a little unusual, isn’t it?”
    “Mom,” Julian said.
    “I’m just asking,” Joan said, swatting her son with the pot holder. To Georgie she asked, “Are you named after someone in your family?”
    Georgie’s lips lifted to a smile as she sat in a chair at the table. “A song. My mother loved the song.”
    She glanced at Julian who cast her an amused grin.
    “Don’t say it,” she warned.
    He put a cup of coffee down in front of her and then lifted his hands, saying, “I didn’t say anything.”
    “Well, I like the name,” Joan said. “It has a story to it. Your named after a song. Something you can one day tell your children.”
    Joan put the plate of muffins on the table and then went to the refrigerator and opened the door. She glanced at Julian and whispered. “Did you offer her cream for her coffee?”
    He shrunk a notch. “I figured you would. You always do.”
    Joan shook her head and lifted a carton of half-and-half to show Georgie.
    “Please,” Georgie said.
    Joan dropped the half-and-half in front of her and Georgie put a few drops in her coffee. She was glad to have something to do rather than look at the curious glances Joan gave Julian. Who knows what he’d told his family about her being there? He said they were a couple. Did they think they were serious? Having sex?
    She groaned quietly as she picked up her coffee and took a sip.
    “Is it too bitter?” Joan asked.
    Georgie held the mug in her hands and glanced over at Julian and Joan. They’d heard her groan.
    “No, it’s wonderful. I…” What could she say? “I’m not sure how fancy the wedding is going to be and I was…I was just thinking that I might not have brought a dress that is appropriate for the occasion.”
    “Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Joan said. “You’re a very pretty girl. I’m sure whatever you brought to wear will be beautiful.”
    Joan lifted her head at the sound of the front door opening.
    “We’re in the kitchen!” she called out.
    Feet pounding on the floor grew louder until a young boy appeared in the hallway.
    “Walk!” a female voice called out.
    “I’m here!” the boy said, launching into Joan’s open arms.
    “Give your old gramma a big hug, Liam.”
    Joan kissed him on the head and rocked him as she hugged him tight. Georgie couldn’t help but smile at the affection between the two of them. She’d been so interested in this bond between grandmother and grandson that she hadn’t noticed the woman standing in the doorway. Her dark blond hair was pulled back neatly and secured in a barrette. Her herringbone wool coat was unbuttoned, revealing a silky white blouse and a black skirt.
    “Ah, when did you get the new coat? I like it,” Joan said.
    The woman’s smile was wide. “Strick got it for me.”
    “Strick? Is that the new man?” Julian asked, grabbing a muffin from the plate and peeling the foil wrapper away and then taking a bite.
    “Yes. You’ll meet him later tonight when I get back from the