Page 97 of Once Upon a Holidate
“We’re happy to have you join us. You already know me, Silver and Renee. Everyone else is very friendly.” She backed out of the driveway. “Usually we have kids running around, but today everyone agreed to leave them at home, so it’s just going to be a lot of girl talk.”
“I’ve missed having that in my life,” Joylyn said. “Thanks for taking me under your wing and making my stay here so great. My dad’s lucky to have you in his life.”
“I’ve been happy to get to know you,” Wynn said automatically, trying not to react to the unexpected comment. Nor was she comfortable asking what Joylyn meant. Have her in his life? As in they were dating? Had Joylyn figured that out? Had she known all along—although technically they hadn’t started “dating” until last night. And if Joylyn knew, had she talked about it to Hunter? Should Wynn discuss the situation with him? Notthat she knew what she was going to say. Not really. She’d never had a man in her life before—not like this.
She was going to have to think it all through, but not now, she told herself.
“Oh, and thank you for helping my dad with the baby shower,” Joylyn added, drawing Wynn back to the present.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Joylyn glanced at her. “I know there isn’t much time to pull everything together. Don’t worry about everything not being perfect. I’m just happy to have one. Oh, my college friends are all coming.” She wrinkled her nose. “They’re sorry about what happened the last time they visited and swear this will be different.”
“We’re not serving alcohol at the party, if that helps.”
Joylyn grinned. “I think it might.”
“I love your theme. Winnie the Pooh is perfect, and the colors will be so pretty in the baby’s room. Plus little Howard won’t need a change in decor for several years.”
“Howard! We’re not calling the baby Howard.”
“You won’t tell me what names are on the list, so I’m guessing.”
Joylyn laughed. “Howard is not on the list.”
“It’s a perfectly respectable name.”
“Still not using it.”
Wynn grinned at her, thinking the happy young woman sitting next to her was so different from the one who had arrived a few short weeks ago.
They parked by the Willow Gallery and got out.
“This is beautiful,” Joylyn said, taking the grocery bag.
“Natalie used to be the office manager here, along with one of their artists. Now she’s doing well enough that she can focus exclusively on her art. The gallery also shows work by theMitchell brothers. Ronan is Natalie’s husband. Pallas is married to Nick, and Carol is married to Mathias. You met Silver and Drew at Thanksgiving.”
“I did.”
They walked into the gallery. Everyone else was already there. Wynn made introductions.
“We finally get to meet,” Pallas said. “Renee’s told me all about Holly’s wedding. I’m so excited. Everything is coming together.”
“Thanks to Renee and the town,” Joylyn said happily. “Holly is still stunned by everyone’s generosity. I am, too.”
“It’s fun for us,” Pallas said.
Joylyn nodded, then sniffed. “I’m trying not to cry at everything, but it’s hard. Thank you again.”
Wynn gave her a hug. “No thanks required. Think of the wedding as our way of really celebrating the season. We’re excited to help Holly with her wedding, and we’re happy to have you here with us today.”
***
Joylyn stood in line with everyone else to fill her plate for lunch. The big table in the center of the gallery was covered with a festive holiday tablecloth. In addition to the enchiladas, bean dip and chips, there were two green salads, a fruit salad and Christmas cookies. Holiday music played in the background.
All the women were so welcoming, she thought. Her friends were nice, but she wasn’t sure they would have been so gracious to someone they didn’t really know.
“How’s it going with Hunter?” Carol asked Wynn as they served each other enchiladas.
