Page 18 of The Blessings of Christmas
Reaching over, Kate gave her hand a warm squeeze. “Oh, Sarah.”
Clearing her throat, she pushed on. “Ryan and I are filling our shelves with Christmas cookies. See what you think of the thimbles.” She motioned to the plate.
“I don’t need any more encouragement.” Choosing a thimble with a dollop of strawberry jam, Diana bit down and groaned.
“Ry–an?” Chili drew out Ryan’s name out in the most indecent way. “So you bake together? You and Ryan?”
“My mother’s getting older.” But not too old to trek over to the library in snowy weather. “She’s working the front counter while I handle the baking.”
“With Ry–an.” Chili chuckled. “What else is going on in your kitchen, Sarah?”
“Oh, don’t be silly.” Her cheeks burned. Time for a lemon bar and she scooped one up. The tart taste exploded in her mouth. They’d definitely have to start on these soon for The Full Cup.
“Who is this Ryan?” Diana looking puzzled. A transplant from Chicago, she’d only lived in Gull Harbor for a couple of years. “Have I met him?”
“Tell her,” Kate urged. “Tell Diana about Ryan.”
Sarah swallowed and took a sip of wine. “Ryan is my brother-in-law. You know, Jamie’s brother.” Maybe someday it would be easier to say her husband’s name.
“A hunk,” Kate filled in. “All the girls in Gull Harbor High had a crush on Jamie’s little brother.”
“Except Ryan was never little.” Chili chortled. “Que hombre! Tall with big shoulders.” She held her hands wide. With a gulp, Sarah could almost see Ryan filling that space. The heat from the crackling fire was getting to her.
“Ryan always had that attitude,” Kate said, tracing her baby’s face with one finger. Quinn smiled up at her, waving a fist. “He was a bad boy.”
“But that accident.Terrible.”Chili shivered. The motorcycle crash had shocked everyone.
“His leg is fine now,” Sarah was quick to say. “I don’t think he rides that Harley anymore. Ryan’s changed a lot.”
“You hardly notice the limp,” Kate said.
“Makes him more macho, no?” Chili wiggled her eyebrows.
What a relief when the doorbell rang and Phoebe barreled in, cheeks flushed from the cold. “Oh my gosh. It’s freezing out there.”
“How was the driving?” Jumping up, Sarah helped Phoebe off with her jacket and tucked it in the closet.
“Not bad. Roads were salted.” She rubbed her hands together, squishing onto the sofa and cooing over Quinn. “I want one of these in my Christmas stocking.”
“I think Ryder can help you with that,” Chili teased. But Phoebe said nothing.
“Phoebe, do you know this Ryan guy who’s working at Sarah’s coffee shop?” Diana asked.
“You mean the coffee shop that’s really a bakery?” Phoebe chuckled. “Don’t take that the wrong way, Sarah.”
But Sarah was used to the teasing.
“Yes, I know Ryan,” Phoebe said, watching Quinn curl a tiny hand over her finger. “He’s renting the apartment above Branson Motors.”
“Ah, the inside story,” Chili cooed while the others laughed.
During a lively discussion of Ryan’s assets, she wondered who they were talking about. “Ryan is Jamie’s little brother.”
“Not much younger.” Quinn started to fuss and Kate jiggled him in her arms. “Guess it’s feeding time.” Draping a diaper over one shoulder, Kate began to nurse. The beautiful picture deepened Sarah’s yearning.
“Why are we even talking about age?” Kate said, smiling down at the baby. “Carolyn’s dating a man who is ten years younger. Brody doesn’t seem to mind a bit.”
They all laughed. “I miss having Carolyn around,” Sarah said quietly. “It was so good to see her last summer. Do you think she’ll ever move back to Gull Harbor?”
