As Ike and Jim started talking deliveries, I excused myself and headed to the food table. My curiosity was piqued. When I arrived at the table, I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or gag at the offerings there. As Ol’ Man Rooster had said, there were tiny orange and green eggs arranged around some sort of foul-smelling brown stuff. Is this stuff edible? There was nothing recognizable on the table.
“You could at least look like you’re enjoying yourself,” my sister hissed in my ear, bringing me up short.
Putting on a pleasant smile, I turned to face her. “I was trying to figure out what the brown stuff was and why the eggs aren’t the right color.” It was childish, but I knew the comment would piss her off.
She smoothed her dark hair with a roll of her eyes. “It’s paté with fish eggs as a garnish.”
Yuck. That sounded disgusting. Ol’ Man Rooster was right; moose chili sounded good about now. My stomach rumbled, but I’d wait until later.
The two men in tuxedos stood behind Raquel, both similar in features and handsome. Their blue eyes stood out prominently against the dark hair.
The one to the right extended his hand. “I’m Chazz Hennington, and this is my brother Dixon.”
So this was my brother-in-law. It was an awkward introduction for someone who was supposed to be family. “Nice to meet you both.” Stiffly, I stood there for a moment before I realized they were waiting for me to introduce myself. “I’m Alexa, Raquel’s sister. Well, I guess I’m your sister-in-law. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You, as well. Raquel, darling, let’s take our seats. I don’t want you standing in your delicate condition.”
Raquel and Chazz had begun to walk away by the time the words hit me. I grabbed her elbow. “Oh my gosh. Raquel, are you?”
Am I going to be an aunt?
For a second, I forgot our precarious relationship. However, my mom came up to Raquel and grabbed her hand, her eyes shooting daggers at me. “Come along, sweetheart. Let’s get you seated.”
“Hey, Mom.”
“Alexa.” Her eyes flicked down my dress, her frown disapproving. Next to Raquel’s sparkling, beaded dress, I looked like a homeless person. “Come, darling. Let’s get you some water and enjoy your party.”
Her party?
They walked off without another glance my way. I knew I should be used to this, but I wasn’t. I could become an aunt, but I might never know my niece or nephew. I wanted to have a loving family so badly.
“So, I take it you’re not a paté fa
n?”
I turned to see Chazz’s brother. He’d definitely dressed the part in his penguin suit.
Extending my hand, I remembered my manners. “Dixon, right?”
“Nice to meet you, Alexa.” Conspiringly, he leaned in closer. “Between you and me, if you haven’t tried the paté, don’t. It’s positively one of the most wretched things. And from the looks of things, the town agrees.”
I chuckled. “The smell alone made up my mind for me. We’re more of a crab, shrimp, and moose chili kind of town.”
“I had the chili for the first time this last week. It’s good. I can see why it’s high up on the list.”
One of the waiters came by with glasses of champagne on a tray. I took one, grateful for the temporary distraction while I got my emotions under control. After a moment, I asked, “How long are you in town for? I think I remember seeing your name in the newsletter.”
“Word travels fast in a small town. I’m planning on going back to California in another two weeks. Our annual business dealings will be done by then, and I’ll be ready to get back home. The hotel is nice, but I’m ready for a home-cooked meal. Or a well-cooked meal from my housekeeper, Mrs. O’Neal.”
Dixon didn’t seem like the type of guy who could do laundry or cook. But as I’d learned with Hollis, appearances could be deceiving. Well, Hollis could do neither, but he wasn’t a stuck-up snob. “Maybe you should stay with Raquel some. She’s actually a really good baker.”
He took a sip of his champagne and let out a sigh. “Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. It was best to leave, if you get my drift.”
“Oh, I do.”
We laughed, and it was nice to let the earlier encounter with my family go. Dixon picked up one of the crackers with some sort of concoction on top and popped it in his mouth. “So, I hear you came back to open a clinic. Brought your friend from New York.”
“I did. I’ll have to introduce you to Hollis.” I glanced around the room. He was still with Ol’ Man Rooster, but they were now joined by four of Skagway’s single ladies. Poor, poor Hollis. He was like fresh meat, which would be good for him. And I wasn’t done paying him back yet. “He looks a little preoccupied. Maybe later.”