Marnie hummed softly to herself as the warm scent of stew filled the kitchen. She stirred the pot carefully, making sure it didn’t stick, glancing over her shoulder at Jas who was setting the table with careful concentration.

"That’s perfect, sweetheart," Marnie said with a smile, watching her niece place down the mismatched plates.;"Shane’s going to be hungry after such a long shift at Joja."

She ladled a bit of the broth into a spoon, blowing gently before offering it out to Jas. "Want to try a taste? You can tell me if it needs more salt before your uncle gets home."

The farmhouse felt cozy, the windows glowing with the last light of the evening. Marnie wiped her hands on her apron and glanced at the door, expecting at any moment to hear Shane’s heavy boots on the porch.