Chad drained his glass and glanced across the table to Alicia. He gave her a smile which she returned. She was happy, he could tell. The fact that her father even offered the wine to him and asked his opinion about it spoke volumes.

“So,” Erin said as she turned to Chad. “Are you going to kiss my sister now?”

“Erin!” exclaimed her mother, shocked that such a question would be asked at her table.

Her father turned disapproving eyes to his youngest daughter and said, “I think it’s time you helped your mother with the dishes.”

“But it’s Alicia’s turn,” she argued as her lower lip began to protrude in a pout.

“Come with me,” her mother said as she rose to her feet and began clearing the dishes from the table.

“But I want to stay here with Chad!” she insisted.

Her mother turned toward her. With a stern gaze that said she would brook no argument she said, “Now.”

Looking none too happy about the turn of events, Erin got to her feet. Then she grabbed her plate and stomped off to the kitchen.

“You’ll have to excuse her,” her mother said. “She’s at that age.”

Chad grinned. “I know what you mean,” he said. Glancing across the table, he saw that Alicia’s face still held a bit of red her sister’s question had elicited. But when she saw him grin, she returned it and relaxed. He then turned to her father and said, “I’ve heard that the Magistrate in Quillim has been known to like fine wines. He may be interested in purchasing several bottles.”

“Thank you young man,” her father said, “I’ll look into that.” They sat there for a minute or two in quiet contemplation while they finished the remainder of their wine. Then he grabbed the bottle and gave it to Chad. “Here.”

Surprised that her father was giving him the rest of the wine, he asked, “You’re giving it to me?”