#rivervale_lodge

Oh my.. gothic romance looks like , or at least period.

Must belong to Sylvi or Siv or Gerd, she thinks. A glance at the inside cover and title page to see if there's any indication ownership.

None!

"Oh you should totally read that , Aunt Kerri" Siv chimes

Kerri looks over. "I didn't even hear you there. This is yours?"

"Got it as a gift... free copy" Siv grins "It's a bit of a tease for quite a few chapters but GOOD tease"

"Well...I don't really read much. Who has the time? But I'll keep it in mind." She sets the book back on the shelf.

"Mmm and I thought mom needed more Vakay" Siv says "Hearth, I know we got two big holidays back to back, but maybe you deserve some time off"

Kerri laughs. "Well, that certainly won't be happening until sometime after Samhain."

"November I'm thinking" She says thoughtful "mmm"

"Well, yes, 'after Samhain' would be November at least." A sigh. "Siv, you're plotting."

"Mee? NOOOOO... " exagerated innocent look

Good lord, this denial would give a Gwydion an Ear bleed

A skeptical look. "Why in the world does it matter so much to you whether or not I read a romance novel?"

"It doesn't. except what it represents now. " She says "Time to spend. I find ou you don't have any ..and that's troubling"

"Well...I can't say I'm particularly troubled about it." She gets back to tidying.

"I guess, but if I were the matchmaking sort... not saying I am.. sure none of those around here. I MIGHT think you and your hubs didn't get enough time together"

"Oh, don't worry -- we make time," Kerri assures her. "We're both busy people, though. We have duties, and our duties are our passions."

"Well, a wise matchmaker once told me that you can't be too pushy" A hurumph "So be it. Ready for Pennons contests?"

A grin that borders on the sly. "Ohhhhh...maybe. Not sure I'll put that much effort into it this year. Let somebody else have a chance. After all...as you point out, I don't seem to have much time to spare."

A laugh at something "oh Nadeen is going to pop"

A blink. "How do you mean?"

"I don't know what it is with the girl, but she's determined to really have Rivervale dominate again. I think some one in the big court riled her.. we've got quite the dance line up partly because she thinks they put that in because they thought it was one area Rivervale WOULD'Nt' do well in. Well, I can be a touch offended, but Nadeen seems down right ready to hit someone with a guantlet. To think, was a time she thought this place was something she had to tolerate"

Kerri smiles. "Yes, I noticed that. It's a bit odd on some levels, but when you think about it...Rivervale isn't just her local hold. Rivervale is Dagmar's lodge." A significant eyebrow.

"Well, of course it's..." A pause "ooooo " And Siv's eyes light up like she just tasted chocolate "That makes so much sense now. They've made it personal without thinking about it. Damn.." A pleased look "That's.. that's down right romantic and dare I say it? sweet"

"I approve this description," Kerri nods, grinning. "She's putting a lot of effort into fighting for the Lodge because she's also fighting for her love. But I don't know if she's realized that part of it, herself. Or, I could just be reading into it." A shrug. "Either way, I think it's wonderful."

"is it okay if I'm a wee bit smug about her talking how Varich is above such silly Fiona nonsense and here she is defending her damsel?" A pause "Albeit, a incredibly strong and deadly damsel but hey?"

A bit of a laugh. "Yes, methinks the Varich doth protest too much."

"Good. Mmm you know, just about everyone we can match make is around here." A snap of her fingers "What about Tig? Now that lut is all but hitched?"

"Things do seem to be going well for Lut. You know, at one point I thought....well, no, nevermind that. Hm, maybe somebody at the apartments would be a good fit?"

"Oh don't do that...don't do that 'at one point I thought' and then leave me hanging"

"Well..." A glance about and then she comes close and drops her voice for only Siv to hear. "For a while I thought there was some interest between Jessical and one of the twins. But...well, if there ever was, that's long past."

"Wow.." she says "Mind blown. I mean.. I can.." She lowers her voice "yeah, I can kind of see it, but I have no idea which she'd go for if she ever did"

"Exactly. I couldn't figure that out, either. But, as I said, that's long in the past, if it were ever anything at all. And you are NOT to repeat it." Stern Hearth Face.

"Of course not, last thing I need is you AND sis gunning for me.. Fiona are fearless, doesn't mean we welcome death" Respectful tone though her eyes sparkle "Sides" A bit more serious "I would see naught wrong with the idea that once .. maybe, but Jessica would , and would be hurt. And I don't want to hurt her."

Kerri grins and pats her on the shoulder. "That's exactly it. Thank you." Then she gets the broom and starts sweeping up.

"Of course, having that in mind might give a hint for what to look for in a possible match for Tig."

"Tell you what" Siv grabs the spare broom, "How about you tell me, and I get off my rear end and get entertained at the same time?"

"Oh, well...hmm...mind you, this was Jessica right out of high school and before she decided she needed to leave. So...hmm..." Kerri pauses, drawing on her memory.

Sweeping as she listens

"Earnest. Optimistic. Anxious to make a good impression. She was still very wide-eyed about our world back then. Still new to it. New-ish." A pause. "Mind you, Tig is older now, too, so what attracts him may be different than it was."

"You saying he wanted to , well, not a girl he could corrupt, but he wants someone whose cage he can rattle?"

"Hm. Maybe? Or perhaps it's more like he wants to be able to surprise and delight somebody, so somebody not too jaded."

A bit of a grin. "If he were ten years younger now, I might almost suggest May."

"Sally Mae?" A thought "Oh I don't know...she's a bit sly when need be, but true. He could show her. But I think she's happy being somehow rebellious with a gentelman , dear Sir Carowyn" A grin

"Oh, no...I meant the Dreamer, May. As I said, though, Tig is ten years too old for her now."

"Oh MAY.. oh my..." A thought "Yes.. she'd have likely fit the bill. Mmm guess we need to set her up with a Tig like fellow I..." A pondering "No no.. that's dangerous"

Curious. "If I'm not allowed to do that, neither are you."

She laughs "Fair.. sorry" A cough "It occurs to me the only fellows left and available for May.. out of our little collection would be Dirk and Zane.. and she's too fragile for Dirk, and Zane..damn. You know? ZAne has grown into a gent whose learning to have ambition without arrogance, he's actually getting sexier than he ever was.. but don't tell him I said so. But Satyrs and Fiona alike can be tricky lifestyle matches"

Kerri winces and makes a little hissing intake of breath. "Mmm, no, too much potential for misunderstanding on her part. She would likely fall and fall hard, and then feel utterly betrayed when it turned out not to be a life-long committment."