Page 48 of The Blessings of Christmas
How could chili burn in a slow cooker? Sarah was a hot mess. Ryan would be here any minute and the smell of burnt food filled the house. Opening a can of diced tomatoes and more tomato paste, she dumped them into the pot and ran upstairs to get ready. When the front door bell rang, she had just finished a shower and was pulling on a pair of jeans that were way too tight and her red V-neck sweater.
“Nathan, would you please get the door!” she called downstairs.
“No problem, Mom.” She heard the door open. “Come on in, Uncle Ryan.”
Was that her oldest son speaking, so polite and welcoming? A dash of red lipstick and she was ready.
As she came downstairs, Ryan looked up. Their eyes locked and she smiled. “Hey, how were the roads?”
“Not bad.” He stripped off his gloves and the big sheepskin coat. Instead of toeing off his snowy boots, Ryan rubbed them carefully on the throw rug near the door. This was all about the boot and his leg. She got that now.
Rubbing his hands together, Ryan sniffed the air. “Something sure smells...” His nose wrinkled.
“Burned?” She draped his jacket over the rocking chair and dropped his gloves near the air vent to dry. “Hope you enjoy burned chili.”
“As long as I don’t have to make it, fine with me.” He grinned. “I’ve always liked your chili, Sarah. Some things never change.”
By that time Justin had traded the TV for a hug from Uncle Ryan.
“Come and see the tree,” Nathan said, tugging on his uncle’s hand.
“I helped you get it. We put it in the stand together, remember?” Still, he let himself be pulled into the living room.
“Some of the crooked branches won’t come down.” Justin said, very matter-of-fact.
“Down?” Ryan looked alarmed. Then he saw the tree. The poor little thing. Its bare branches reached out, as if it needed help. “Bigger trees might have kept this poor little guy in the shade. See where the branches are all crooked. Have you got your decorations ready?”
“The boxes are right here,” Sarah said coming up behind them. “They’re a little dusty.”
“So I see.” Turning, he smiled at her. Then his fingers brushed her curly hair.
“What? Do I look terrible?” Her hands went to her hair.
“No, you look cute. Thanks for inviting me today.” Ryan caught her hand and gave it a squeeze that went straight to her heart. As they stood there talking, Nathan exchanged a look with Justin. Those boys. Always up to something.
Ryan carried the green tubs from the hallway and stacked them in front of the tree. She had the strings of lights set out on the coffee table. “I told you I’d do that, Sarah.”
“I know you did. But you weren’t around. Besides, I'm used to…”
“Doing things yourself?” He looked miffed.
“Don’t take it the wrong way, Ryan.” She touched the elbow of his navy sweater. “My mother always tells me I have to let other people do things for me.”
“Your mother’s a wise woman.” His eyes swept her face, stopping at her lips and mercy, she felt them plump.
“I'm used to doing everything myself.” She could hardly squeeze the words through her swollen lips. The lips that so badly wanted to kiss him.
“I know. But people will help you.”
“People like you?” she said.
“Exactly. Just tell me what you need.”
I need you.
What were they doing? Nathan and Justin stood close by, watching them the way they’d watched that toy train circle the track in the toy shop. She clapped her hands. “Boys, let’s get going. Lights first?” She turned to Ryan.
“Sure.” But when Ryan lifted them from the coffee table, the boys didn’t look thrilled. “I thought we were using the big lights this time, “ Nathan said, eyeing the miniature lights with disgust.
