" Good afternoon , Carey , " Alessia greeted sweetly , her manners impeccable . Carey beamed , nodding with obvious approval . " Well , aren't you lovely ? So polite , too . Brendan , is this your eldest daughter or your youngest ? " Brendan's expression cooled just a fraction as he replied , " She's my only daughter . " Years of holding a senior position had trained him to keep his emotions in check , and with Carey's straightforward nature , she didn't notice the subtle shift . " Really ? " Carey frowned , a vague sense of confusion nagging at her . She remembered when the Morton family first moved in - they'd run into each other and exchanged a few brief words . Carey's memory was of a group of well - mannered boys , bustling about , hauling boxes and helping with the move . There'd been only one girl , dressed in an expensive - looking dress with a wide , elegant sunhat perched on her head . That girl had stomped around , loudly complaining about how rundown , dirty , and cramped the place was . When she saw Carey , she just gave a dismissive snort and swept upstairs , radiating arrogance . Carey couldn't recall the girl's face , just the impression she'd left - and it wasn't a good one . But the girl standing here today seemed like a completely different person . Still , if Brendan said Alessia was his only daughter , there was no point dwelling on a puzzle with no answer . " Carey , my mom made these seaweed rolls . Would you like to try one ? " Alessia offered , handing Carey a fork and smiling softly in a way any adult would find endearing . " Karen made these ? Well , then , I have to give them a try ." Alessia waited quietly while Carey tasted the food , and sure enough , the verdict was glowing . " My mom's thinking about setting up a food stall outside the school when classes start . She's been looking for people to try her recipes . We all say they taste great , but she won't believe us . Now that you've said so , I bet she'll finally be convinced . Right , Dad ? " " Absolutely , " Brendan replied , father and daughter perfectly in sync . " A food stall by the school ? That's a fantastic idea ! There are so many kids around here . Just the other day , a few of us - me , Abby , and the rest - were complaining 1/2 15:36 about having to get up early to make breakfast for our kids before school . Those rascals never want to eat at home , always running out to buy whatever junk they can find . Who knows how those places make their food , with all the shady operations around these days . But will they listen to us ? Never . " With the topic on kids , Carey forgot all about taking the trash out . She drew her foot back and launched into a spirited rant about the trials of raising children , while Alessia listened with a gentle smile , chiming in now and then . " How about you come over to our place later , Carey? My mom's upstairs right now making sandwiches , seaweed rolls , and even some tea eggs . She'd be thrilled if you stopped by . " " Sounds wonderful ! " Carey slapped her thigh in delight . " Why don't you bring Abby and the others , too ? If you like what you see , you can be our very first customers . " " That would be great . " Alessia's sweet words flowed naturally , and Carey was so delighted she nearly forgot the trash bag still in her hand . Even as she finally walked away , she kept glancing back , waving enthusiastically at Alessia . Alessia stood by the doorway , waving until Carey disappeared from sight , then let her hand fall . " Lessie , how did you know Carey had kids ? " Brendan asked casually . " I saw a blue backpack in her trash bag . The color's pretty bright - adults don't really use those , but elementary school kid's do . " Brendan nodded , impressed . " You're a sharp one , Lessie ." " I just set things up . Whether it works out or not , that's up to Mom now . " Alessia winked , her expression lively and mischievous . Brendan couldn't help but chuckle , looking as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders . 2/2 15:36 Chapter 17 " Need a hand ? "