Page 55 of The Blessings of Christmas
The rat-tat-tat of hammers had stopped inside the shed. Nathan and Justin came to the door. “They’re at it again.” Nathan rolled his eyes. “Disgusting.”
Smiling, Justin followed his brother outside. “I know. Kissing all the time.”
“Are we disgusting?” Sarah murmured.
Ryan smiled down. “Never.”
“Last one to the swing is a rotten egg!” Nathan dropped a pint-size hammer and ran. Justin did the same.
Ryan held up a hand and the boys lurched to a stop. “Hey, first put those hammers back where you got them, okay?”
“Yessir.” Scooping up the hammer, Nathan dashed back into the shed, his brother right behind him. Then it was off to the new swing set Ryan had put up this spring.
Since their wedding on Valentine’s Day, Ryan had fixed every loose hinge, stubborn doorknob and leaky window in her house. Now working at The Full Cup, he strategized with Stuart about the new espresso line. The cold winter helped make the flavored coffees an instant success. How relieved Sarah had felt, sending off that final overdue tax installment.
But most important, he’d been spending a lot of time with the boys in the evenings and weekends. Stanley and Ryder Branson had understood when Ryan told them that family came first. He wouldn’t be able to put in any hours at Branson Motors. But he sometimes stopped at the garage for coffee, and Sarah had invited Phoebe and Ryder over for supper, along with Stanley. Ryder’s dad was a real hoot.
While Ryan was showering, Mom and Stuart pulled into the driveway. Hollering at the top of their lungs, Nathan and Justin streaked toward the car. You’d think the two newly-weds had been gone all month, instead of two weeks. How cute theywere together as they got out of the car, starry-eyed after their honeymoon in Tuscany.
“I think you two picked up a tan over there.” Sarah linked arms with her mother, walking with them into the back yard. “You both look great.”
“Don’t know about the tan but I did pick up ten pounds,” Stuart laughed. “How’s business?”
“Good, but I’m glad you’re back in town.”
They settled at the picnic table. After Sarah brought out lemonade, her mother told her all about Italy.
Good news. Now everything seemed to be good news.
But she was waiting for Ryan before sharing theirs.
Looking around the yard, Sarah thought back to the time when she’d wondered how she could handle all this. How could she raise the boys and run The Full Cup alone? Now she had the full support of a growing family. The library had hired a new director and Stuart had started working part time at the coffee shop. He fit right in and was especially helpful with the sleek espresso machine he’d given Mom for Christmas.
The screen door whapped shut. “Welcome back,” Ryan called out. His hair wet from the shower, he smelled like soap when he slid in next to her. “Did you give them the news?”
Her mother perked up. “What news?”
Sarah had been hugging their secret to her heart. “We’re having a baby.”
Her mother lit up like that dear little tree they’d had last Christmas. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m so happy.” She sniffled.
Handing Mom his handkerchief, Stuart looked stunned. “Will that make me a grandfather?”
“You already are,” Nathan told him.
“Yeah, you’re our grandpa,” Justin added, his tone suggesting Stuart should have known this.
“Now, don’t you go lifting any of those heavy trays at work,” her mother warned her.
“Don’t worry. I won’t.” While they talked about the due date, Sarah felt Ryan’s eyes on her. She squeezed his hand, so grateful for everything that had come their way since Christmas.
“Any idea about, you know, boy or girl?” Her mother waited.
“Ye-es,” Sarah said slowly. “We had the ultrasound last week.”
The air quivered with anticipation. “It’s a girl.” Cripes, tears stung her eyes. Lately, she was so darn emotional.
“A little girl,” Mom said with wonder.
“Yeah.” Nathan rested his chin on one hand “Mom says we have to be really good to her. Big brothers and all that.”
That tadpole feeling shimmered deep in Sarah’s tummy, as if this little girl were introducing herself. “Sometimes I can’t believe it.”
“Any idea about names?” Mom asked.
“All decided.” Sarah and Ryan smiled at each other with quiet certainty. “We’re going to call her Jamie.”
