The Lost Bride Trilogy, #3
The Seven Rings
by Nora Roberts
Contents
Chapter Six
Overview
Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen share a calm evening: Molly aids via the dumbwaiter, dinner succeeds, and talk turns to Dobbs’s strategies. A night at Maloney’s brings pool-table victories and a visit from Anna and Seth. Back home, cake under the stars culminates in Trey affirming his commitment to Sonya.
Summary
Sonya stores newly found family items in the Quiet Place, then pivots to dinner prep with Cleo. When the dumbwaiter rumbles, Sonya braces for trouble but instead finds a clean deep fryer, a gift attributed to Molly’s watchful spirit. Relieved, the women finish cooking: pulled pork, fries, shortcake, and sauce.
Over dinner with Trey and Owen, they praise Molly’s timely help and discuss Hester Dobbs. Trey and Owen argue that Dobbs sees living occupants as temporary annoyances, while brides were mortal threats; Sonya frames herself as an “annoying inconvenience,” hoping to surprise Dobbs. Plans are set for a Sunday sail.
They head to Maloney’s for live music and pool. Sonya and Cleo hustle the men with sharp eight-ball play, winning a rematch as the band plays covers. Anna and Seth arrive mid-set; they compliment Cleo’s gallery work and the nursery mural, mention hotel scouting, and set a guys’ poker night.
Back at the manor, they’re greeted by the pets and decide on cake and coffee atop the widow’s walk. Sonya senses a lull—an eye of the storm—but chooses the calm. Under moonlight and ocean sounds, she reflects on gratitude for the house and for Trey. Trey gently underscores his commitment: here is where he wants to be, with Sonya.
Who Appears
- Sonya PooleLeads dinner prep, faces the dumbwaiter, reflects on Dobbs’s threat, dominates at pool, and shares an intimate, affirming moment with Trey.
- CleoKitchen co-captain who bakes shortcake, masters the fryer, guides the evening out, and teams with Sonya to win at pool.
- TreySupports Sonya, suggests the bar outing, loses at pool with humor, arranges poker night, and reaffirms his commitment on the widow’s walk.
- OwenAnalyzes Dobbs’s mindset, explains pool rules, sets up the bar tab, and plans sailing and poker with friends.
- MollySupportive household spirit who sends up a clean deep fryer via the dumbwaiter, aiding dinner preparations.
- Hester DobbsAntagonistic witch discussed as focused on power; views residents as annoyances but brides as threats.
- AnnaTrey’s pregnant sister; stops by Maloney’s, praises Cleo and Sonya’s work, and prompts a future poker night.
- SethAnna’s husband; checks out the band for hotel ideas, joins plans for a guys’ poker night.
- JackYoung resident spirit implied to enjoy art; Sonya leaves him sketch supplies he takes.