“Excuse me, ma’am.”
“Yes?” Ava acknowledged Duncan.
“Dinner is almost ready and I originally intended to serve it in the dining room but perhaps you’d like it alfresco instead?”
“Yes,” Ava looked at the occupied children. “I think we’d all enjoy that. Thank you.”
“Of course, ma’am,” Duncan bowed with a smile before retreating inside.
Moments later he reappeared, setting up plates and silverware on square patio tables pushed together. Duncan retreated inside once again only to emerge with another trolley this one laden with food.
Silas whistled sharply, “All right, let’s bring it in!”
Much to Lucas’s surprise the kids responded almost instantly. Lexi herded the little ones to the patio while Sean and Theo managed one more toss racing the dog to the patio to join everyone. Ava scoop
