"Well, blueberry pancakes aren't such a thing in England, Mom."

"Don't they have blueberries?" she asked innocently.

Alexis was too tired to mock. "Of course they do. It's just not a common breakfast. They tend to have more savory foods than sweet. Cooked breakfasts with black pudding, and bacon that requires a knife and fork."

Tilly walked over to the windows and pulled open the curtains. "Well, as much as I like a cooked breakfast, I don't know how you could live anywhere that doesn't have blueberry pancakes. It's un-American."

Alexis smirked but resisted pointing out the obvious.

"I'll leave you to your own devices then," Tilly said and hesitated before adding, "I thought you could help me make the Good Housekeeping holiday cake while you're here."

"You still do that?"

Tilly looked mildly surprised. "Why wouldn't I?" Shaking her head, she said,

"What am I thinking? You don't bake. Too domestic for you. That's Betsy's domain." Alexis refused to engage in an argument over her culinary skills. It didn't seem the right time. Instead, she said, "I had one of her muffins. It was delicious. She should have a bakery instead of a salon. That's what she used to talk about."

"The salon was the more sensible choice," Tilly said firmly. "People need to get haircuts. They don't need baked goods."

Alexis thought it was disappointing that her sister hadn't been able to combine her talent with her career, but she didn't argue.

Tilly sighed. "She does have a knack for baking, though. Such a shame she has those three boys."

Alexis's eyebrows drew together until her mother's meaning dawned on her. She gave an exasperated huff, which her mother duly ignored.

"She can certainly teach the boys how to bake," Alexis insisted. "I bet Owen would love it."

"Oh, Alexis. I don't know where you get your ideas. Joe would blow a gasket if he saw his son baking."

"Do you know how prehistoric that sounds?"

"We can't all be cosmopolitan." Tilly headed for the door. "I'll be downstairs for another half an hour if you need me. Then I'm going to work."

Alexis waited for her mother to leave the room before pulling the covers back over her head. She was not ready to face the day. In fact, she was beginning to regret her decision to come at all.




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