The Family Business

Our Newest Resident

From Maggie's POV:

We made our way down the spiral staircase into the main living area. "This is great!" I heard Andrea say. "How did you stumble on this kind of place?" she asked.

"It's been in my husband's family for generations. We just thought it made sense to make it our home, especially with the kids," I explained.

Just then, Hannah came tearing around the corner, chased by John. "Whoa, whoa, whoa there, you two. You know you're not supposed to be running in here," I said as I grabbed John around the middle. "Hannah Grace, you'd better slow down and walk, or no skating party next week," I threatened. A sharp intake of breath told me my words had made an impact. "Sorry, Momma," she said in a small voice.

"I know, just no running, okay? Come on over here, baby girl, I want you and John to meet my friend, Andrea. She works at The Coffee House," I explained.

Hannah stuck her hand out to Andrea, who took it in hers and gave it a shake. "Nice to meet you, Andrea. You're pretty," she said shyly. John came over and also stuck his hand out. Andrea obliged him and shook it in a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, young sir," said Andrea. I would swear I saw John blush a little before he took off down the hall after Hannah.

Dean came out from the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel. He walked over to me and gave me a quick kiss. "Hello, again, Andrea. How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm okay. Do you need any help with dinner?" she asked.

"Oh, no, you're our guest, so you just relax for a bit. I'm going in to help Dean," I said.

"Thanks, Babe, I could use a little help," Dean acknowledged, taking my hand.

From Sam's POV:

Maggie followed Dean back into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Andrea. She had medium length wavy red hair, with coffee-brown eyes. She was a little taller than Maggie, but only by a few inches.

"This is a great place, I never even knew it was here," Andrea said.

"Yeah, neither did we, until we were going through some old papers belonging to our parents. Would you like to sit down? Can I get you something to drink?" I asked.

"Something to drink would be lovely, thank you," said Andrea.

"Coming right up," I called as I headed to the kitchen.

Dean was draining the spaghetti noodles, and Maggie was stirring the sauce. At least that's what they claimed to be doing when I walked in on them kissing, wrapped in each other's arms.

"Guys, really?" I grumbled. "What if Andrea walked in and saw you guys making out in the kitchen?" I asked.

"We weren't 'making out', Sam. And I would think that Andrea would be on my side, thinking I'm the luckiest woman on the planet, which I am. Since I get to kiss such a gorgeous hunk of man on a regular basis and all," I teased, kissing Dean again.

Sam rolled his eyes and took a drink out to Andrea. "I didn't know what you might like, so I brought you a Coke and a beer, take your pick."

She picked the beer, leaving me with the Coke. "Well, all right then," I laughed, and she laughed with me.

"Dinner is served!" Dean called. I escorted Andrea to the dining room, and pulled out her chair for her. "Thank you, Sam," she said softly.

Andrea seemed to fit right in with everyone so easily. When John or Hannah would talk to her, she gave them her full attention and didn't brush them off. John told her a joke about an interrupting cow, and she laughed like it was the funniest joke she'd ever heard. She helped clear the table, even though Maggie insisted that she relax, that she was our guest. At John and Hannah's bedtime, they each gave her a hug before trotting off to bed.