Page 68 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Want a Virgin Mary?” he asked Amanda, who was catching up with McKenna.
“Coffee, please?”
“Coffee?”
Head to head with McKenna, Amanda didn’t seem to hear him. So that’s how it was? Another failed procedure? Coffee wasn’t a good idea for a pregnant woman. He took a deep gulp of his drink and coughed at all the celery salt Seth had added to the mix. In his mind, dollar bills took flight. When had they gone through that procedure with Logan? November and December had been so crazy.
Leaving his wife deep in conversation with his sister, he moved deeper into the group. He should be used to the disappointment by now.
“Hey, Connor, I want you to meet Cameron.” Harper blushed as she tugged a tall blond toward him. Clearly this guy from Savannah meant a lot to her.
“Been hearing a lot about you,” Connor said as they shook hands, Cameron’s hold steady and strong. “And most of it’s good.”
Harper playfully socked Connor in the shoulder. “You behave now.”
“Welcome to Chicago, Cameron.”
“Thank you. Think I’m going to like this town.” Cameron’s eyes never left Harper. The drawing card sure wasn’t the city.
Connor liked the guy. Harper had changed a lot since meeting Cameron and all for the good. The Kirkpatricks had chipped together to send her to a prestigious design school in Savannah. Later Connor had wondered if their generosity had been wise. After graduation she’d had trouble finding the right position and she’d ended up a nanny for Cameron’s daughter. Quite a challenge but looked like everything was working out fine.
Harper introduced Amanda to Cameron.
“I hear y’all have a lot to be excited about,” Cameron said.
Amanda flushed. “Well, we hope so.”
That indecision again. Connor jumped right in. “Thanks, Cameron. We’re thrilled and thank you for mentioning it.” Even he heard the flat tone of his own voice.
Coming up behind them, McKenna grabbed Amanda’s elbow and guided her away. “Mom needs some help in the kitchen.”
“Did I say something wrong?” Cameron glanced from Connor to Harper.
Conner blew out a breath. “Not at all. It’s just been a long road, that’s all. Amanda won’t believe this baby is for real until she’s holding it.”
“Cameron has a little girl,” Harper supplied while Cameron beamed. “Bella’s downstairs playing with the other kids.”
Connor wanted to be that guy someday—a proud father. Tests had shown that Angie was having a boy. Amazing how happy Connor had felt about the boy part, but that black and white image Angie showed them? He couldn’t relate to it.
“Harper’s really taken to Bella,” Cameron said.
“She’s a doll.” Harper leaned into him.
Cameron snugged her to his side with a smile. “She was a holy terror until Harper took her in hand.”
Something twisted inside Connor. Felt so strange to see Harper in this mother role. Almost like she was graduating from high school while he was still a sophomore. Maybe Amanda was right. Being the oldest in the family and not having children might be a sore spot with him after all.
Connor’s mother had come to the door of the kitchen, and he waved to her. “Excuse me. I have to say hi to my folks.”
The loops of blue crepe paper nearly got him in the throat as he made his way toward his waiting mother. Baby decorations hung everywhere. Even the manger in the nativity scene held a pair of blue baby booties. Under the tree sat a small mountain of wrapped packages. He vaguely remembered Amanda going shopping and registering for the stuff they’d need. Mark’s wife Janie had gone along to help. After three kids, Janie knew the priorities. Amanda had gone along with it, like she was visiting a foreign country. She’d come home so excited.
“Connor!” His mother smelled like bacon when she hugged him. “Amanda left your container of cabbage here last night. Don’t worry. I hid it away in the basement refrigerator.”
“Thanks, Mom. Knew I could count on you.” He kissed her cheek before turning toward his dad.
“Son.” His father clapped him on the back. “Just want you to know how happy we are, well, about all this.”
“We appreciate you throwing this party for us.”
