The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Blood Stone Packhouse. Roseanne peered out the window, noting the familiar stone facade of the packhouse glowing under the golden afternoon light. Skyla opened her door first, stepping out with a playful stretch as Ian, ever the dutiful protector, rounded the car to open Roseanne's door.
"Thank you, Ian," Roseanne said with a warm smile as she stepped out, careful not to trip on the uneven cobblestones. Ian simply nodded, his hands already occupied with carrying their shopping bags, his face set in its usual grumpy expression.
"You're spoiling him, Roseanne," Skyla teased with a wink, adjusting the strap of her own bag. "One of these days, he'll start expecting compliments."
"Not likely," Ian muttered, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes that didn't go unnoticed.
