Page 46 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Really? I'm all ears.” Lila’s mom was wearing a Christmas sweater with reindeer on each side in sparkles. Before, Ryan never noticed what she wore. Now she was brighter. More cheerful. Must be the librarian and he was happy for her.
Walking over, Sarah filled her mug with coffee. “Remember the Charlie Brown Christmas show?”
“Of course. We watched that every year, remember? Charlie Brown picked out a scrawny tree that needed all the tender love and care he could give. I loved that show and so did you.”
“Well that's what we have in our living room.” And Sarah didn’t sound very happy about it. “I can’t picture our decorations on that tree.”
He didn’t want her worrying about that. “I’ll help you decorate. Look. It’s snowing again.” As Ryan walked to the window, he felt Lila’s eyes on him and turned.
Sarah’s mother tilted her head. “Something is different about you, Ryan, and I can't figure out what it is.”
“Just the same old me.” Time to head back to the workroom.
But before he could escape, a light went on in Lila’s eyes. “You're walking differently. Did you have surgery or something?”
Sarah studied him. “That's silly, Mom. Of course not.”
Time to come clean. Ryan kicked out a boot. “Just had my boots adjusted a little.”
“How did I miss this?” Sarah’s hands went to her pink cheeks. “I’ve been with you every day and I didn’t notice.”
“It’s no big deal, Sarah.” The last thing he wanted was her studying his limp.
The bell over the door jingled. Cold air gusted in along with an older man with a cardboard carrier holding three steaming cups. They sure smelled good. “Good morning.”
“Hello, Stuart.” Beaming at the guy, Lila introduced them.
So this was the librarian.
The man nodded. “I’d shake your hand but mine are full.”
“Let me take those.” Putting down his mug, Ryan grabbed the carrier and set it on the counter.
“You’ve all been so good to me, sharing your delicious cookies,” Stuart said. “I thought I might share what I learned from my family about coffee.”
“Well, aren't you the one?” Lila gave Stuart a look that made Sarah blush.
Ryan was enjoying the whole thing.
Stuart started handing out cups, and Ryan set his mug aside. “As I told you at the library, Sarah, my family is in the coffee business. And I’ve learned quite a bit.”
“He has all kinds of fancy machines in his kitchen,” her mother said.
The remark seemed to catch Sarah by surprise, and she exchanged a look with Ryan. Then she took a sip from the cup in her hand. “Caramel?”
Stuart nodded. “Like it?”
“Love it. What do you have, Mom?”
“Gingerbread,” her mother said with a pleased smile. “My favorite.”
“I know.” Stuart gave Sarah’s mother another adoring look.
But he tore his eyes away to focus on Ryan. “How do you like the peppermint?”
“Delicious.” Ryan wasn’t a fan of peppermint but he saw where the older man was going.
Stuart eyed their coffee pot in the corner. “Sarah and I have been talking about the coffee part of this business,” Ryan said.
