Page 63 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Don’t think I don’t know that. That’s probably why I feel like I just didn’t come through for him on this.” The heat in the jeep had finally kicked in but Amanda’s teeth would not stop chattering.
“Nonsense. Hard to say why a woman can’t conceive. We’re seeing more older women in our practice at For Women. Women are just plain having babies later…” McKenna frowned.
Wasn’t often Amanda saw her sister-in-law this uncomfortable. “Maybe I’m being too personal, but are you and Logan thinking of having a baby?”
McKenna lifted one shoulder. “We’re not even engaged, okay? Babies are the last thing on our minds.”
Amanda studied her sister-in-law thoughtfully. “And why don’t I think that’s the whole story?”
“Every couple thinks about babies. It’s natural, right?” McKenna muttered, almost like she was talking to herself.
Finally, they arrived at Amanda’s little brick bungalow on the other side of North Avenue. “Will you text me when you get home?” she asked as she jumped out.
“Absolutely, but give me some time before you start to worry. The Eisenhower’s probably a mess.”
“All the more reason to take it slow. Bye, McKenna.”
“See you tomorrow. And say hi to that brother of mine.”
“Will do.” Amanda slammed the door closed. Snowflakes fell on her hair as she watched McKenna take off. What would she do without Connor’s big supportive family?
Looking up, Amanda saw the front drape being pushed aside. Her husband’s tall frame was outlined in front of their Christmas tree, where lights blazed. By the time she reached the front door, he stood in the open door, the porch light burnishing his auburn hair. “You didn’t answer my texts.”
“Oh, my gosh! I must have left my phone in your mom’s kitchen. We were decorating for the baby shower tomorrow.Sorry.” One more thing for him to be aggravated about. Wait until he heard about the car. Amanda stomped her feet on the rug inside the door.
He scanned the driveway before closing the door “How come McKenna brought you home? Where’s your car?”
She steeled herself and toed off her boots. “I got stuck and had to leave it.”
“Did it stall out?”
“No. It skidded on the ice and swung into a snow bank.”
“On Harlem?” His broad forehead wrinkled.
Swallowing hard, she met his gaze. “I know I committed a cardinal sin but I cut through the neighborhood. The car’s on a side street.”
Hands on hips, Connor dropped his head. She could almost hear him counting to ten.
“I know, I know. I’ll help you dig it out tomorrow. Were you able to trade schedules with someone so you can make it to the shower?” Quickly she chattered past the car situation.
He helped her off with her coat. “Ryan traded with me. Do you think I’d miss my own son’s baby shower?”
A shiver passed through her, icy and unwelcome. “Shhh. Let’s not tempt fate, okay?”
“You are such a worrywart. Wish you’d stop it.” Impatience frayed his voice. He sniffed her coat before hanging it in the closet. “Smells like my mother’s cabbage.”
“Oh, shoot. She gave me a container for you and I forgot it.” Could she do anything right today?
“My mother will save it for me unless Seth or Mark gets there first.”
The Kirkpatrick men were highly competitive.
“Did you have something to eat?” she asked.
“Yep. Greg cooked a pot of his famous Irish chili.”
Firehouses were known for hearty food. Amanda always knew Connor would be well fed at work. He moved closer until she could smell his soap. He had the power to melt her tension.
