Page 149 of Desperate Pucker
My stomach rumbles. Ryker looks at my stomach, then my face.
“I ate a small breakfast and skipped lunch so I’d be hungry for dinner,” I say.
“Good. My mom’s going to shove an ungodly amount of food in front of you tonight.”
“You’re here!” Shannon’s cheery voice rings through the kitchen. She pulls Ryker into a hug.
I stand back and take in the massive size difference between them. He’s more than a foot taller than she is.
Her sandy blonde hair is pulled into a ponytail, and her brown eyes are bright—a shade lighter than her son’s eyes.
When she smiles, the bridge of her nose crinkles. She’s wearing this really cute white sweater that hangs off hershoulder. If Ryker told me she was his older sister or cousin, I would believe him.
His serious expression eases, and the look in his eyes warms as he looks at his mom.
She pats his shoulders and looks at me. “Can you believe he was barely seven pounds when he was born. Now look at him.”
I chuckle as Ryker shakes his head, fighting a smile.
She pulls me into a hug, and I make an “oof!” sound at how tight she hugs. Wow. She’s a lot stronger than she looks.
“I’m so happy you came!”
“Thank you so much for having me. I brought you a little something.”
I twist around and pick up the bundle of pink peonies on the counter that I set aside when we first walked into the kitchen.
Shannon gasps and takes the bouquet from me. “Oh, these are gorgeous! Thank you!”
“Ryker said they were your favorite.”
She pats her son’s arm as she passes him to the kitchen sink.
“I hope you’re hungry, Madeline. I made enough cabbage rolls to feed an army.”
Shannon places the flowers in a vase and sets it at the center of the kitchen table.
“So just enough to feed me, right?” Scott says when he walks into the kitchen.
Shannon rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. Scott walks up to her and kisses her cheek before saying hi to Ryker and me.
Ryker hugs him and steps into the kitchen to grab plates and silverware.
When Scott shakes my hand, I notice just how much Ryker takes after him. They’re the same height and have a similar build. Broad, muscled, and strong. He has the same thick, dark hair as Ryker, except Scott has some strands of silver. Samestraight nose and bourbon eyes. He could pass for Ryker’s older brother, easy.
“Those are pretty,” Scott says when he sees the flowers on the table.
“A very thoughtful gift from Madeline,” Shannon says, beaming at me.
Scott flashes me a thumbs-up.
“You could learn a thing or two from her, Scott. Surprise with me peonies every once in a while and see what happens,” Shannon teases. He winks at her, then walks over and kisses her again.
Ryker winces. “Let’s keep the PDA to a minimum, okay? We’re about to eat.”
His parents laugh.
“Can I do anything to help?” I ask.
