The doorbell rang again.
"I'll get it," said Annette, grateful for the excuse to step away from the kitchen and the sight of Ivan looking entirely too comfortable in it as he boiled the potatoes that Anna and Mikaela had peeled.
When she opened the door, Edward and Ruth were standing on the porch. Edward was carrying an enormous homemade chocolate cake, while Ruth was carrying a box that contained two bottles of fine Navy Port red wine.
"Don't even think about it. This is the expensive stuff," said Ruth as Annette eyed the wine box.
"Fine," groused Annette, and led them into the kitchen.
The room smelled of bacon, sage, onions and roasting turkey. Ivan had just drained the water from the boiled potatoes, and he put them into two bowls.
"Anna, this one is for the vegans. Use the olive oil and mash it up," said Ivan, handing her a bowl of boiled potatoes and the bottle of olive oil.
"That smells good," said Edward as he set the cake down on the counter.
