Page 29 of Promise Me This Christmas
“I hope it works out for you.”She liked Larkin and admired her.She could tell there was a tough streak behind the journalist’s pleasant demeanor.But Carson, for all his good-natured teasing, was tough too.They would be a good match that way.
“Oh, interesting observation,” Carson said.“Gibson was there acting like a normal human being for a change.”
Amy glanced through the connecting door.It would be just her luck for Gibson to come down early and overhear them talking about him.But the dining room was still empty.She closed the door, just in case.“How do you mean?”
“He seemed to enjoy himself.I even heard him laugh a few times.”
“Get out,” Chet said.“Are we talking about the same guy?”
“He told Sage he’d worked as a pastry chef.He did seem to know what he was doing.”
“Really?”Amy asked.“Where did he train?”
Carson shrugged.“No idea.This is just what I managed to overhear.”
“I wish he would let me get to know him,” Amy said, feeling frustrated.“Whenever I try to draw him out, he gives me nothing.”
“The guy’s hard to figure out,” Carson agreed.“Why did he even book to stay at a bed and breakfast if he wasn’t interested in socializing with folks?”
That’s what Amy wondered too.It wasn’t often she wished one of her guests had booked someplace else, but she sure could have done without Gibson Adlington this Christmas.
“Coffee’s ready,” Chet said.“Want me to pour you some?”
“I’m on it.”Carson grabbed a mug from the open shelving above the coffeepot.“Today’s going to be a big day for you guys with the Christmas tea and everything.I need to put in some time at Ethel’s house this morning, but how about I handle Robin after his nap?I’ll feed him his snack and take him outside to play so he won’t accidentally knock over any teapots or break the fine china.”
“That would be super helpful,” Chet said.
“But don’t you want to attend the tea?”Amy asked.“I’ve reserved tickets for all our guests.”
“Uh, no thanks,” Carson said.He exchanged a glance with Chet.“Beer, chicken wings, and football are more my style for afternoon shindigs.”
Chet shrugged.“I hear you.But the proceeds help underprivileged youth.And the event draws an interesting crowd.”
“Fair,” Carson conceded.“But you don’t really eat those little sandwiches with the crusts cut off, do you?I mean, a man has to have limits.”
They were all smiling over that when Jo arrived and immediately took over the kitchen.“Amy, would you preheat the oven, please?Chet, you have coffee under control?Carson, please move, I need to get into the fridge.”
She pulled out two large casseroles and set them on the six-burner stovetop.Amy peeked under the foil topping.“Is this your creamy raspberry French toast?”she asked hopefully.
“Your favorite.I know it’s been a tough few days.”
Amy forced the bustling woman to pause so she could give her a hug.“Thanks, Jo.”Not only did she love the breakfast dish, but it was a real favorite with guests.Hopefully this would earn them some points with the crotchety Gibson Adlington.
*
Larkin woke early,well before any hint of daylight.Her first thought was of Carson and the evening they’d spent together.He was the first person, other than her therapist, she’d told about the date rape, and it amazed her that she was able to be so open with him.Then again, the two of them had always had that kind of relationship.Maybe if she hadn’t run away to Denver so quickly, they would have talked through their misunderstandings a lot sooner.But she couldn’t change the past.
And right now, she didn’t want to worry about the future.She was happy to take each day as it came and see how things went.Also, she had to be careful not to let Carson distract her from her main purpose in being here—taking care of her grandmother.
A delicious aroma almost lured her into the dining room as she came down the stairs, but she resisted.She knocked quietly on the Mable Bramble door and was pleased to hear her grandmother’s cheery “Come in!”which meant she hadn’t woken her.
Her gran was sitting up on the side of her bed.She’d already brushed her hair and was wearing her glasses.“I’ve completed my morning stretches,” she said proudly.
“Awesome.Want some help with your walker?”
“Nope.I’m good.”
Larkin watched as her grandmother managed the transfer to her walker, then headed for the bathroom.“They’re cooking something really good in the kitchen today.”
