Gathered around one table, the Taylors sat down quietly having dessert with Valentine Hosek. The addition to their party was odd and unwanted, but it happened when Summer's mother caught up with her husband and earnestly asked Valentine to join them downstairs.
Unlike the men in her family, Summer's mother didn't have any complaints about the man who came all the way from another state to have a conversation with her daughter! For once, the man was on his best behavior. He struck her as reliable; he was able to stand his ground when it came to her husband and her sons, and all that aside. Her daughter — who looked miserable in her father's and brothers' eyes — looked much better in her mother's eyes now!
"Here, Mr. Hosek, have some more cake,"
Hosek dabbed a napkin on his lips then nodded with a small smile as he swallowed the bite, "Please, call me Valentine,"
