Page 34 of There's Only One Sleigh
While the text message had probably taken a year or two off my life, she shouldn’t regret asking for help if she needed it. “Listen, when we’re called to an emergency that turns out to be a false alarm, that’s a good day. What makes for the worst days is when peopledon’tcall us because they think they can handle it or that it’s not that bad and they don’t want to look foolish, and by the time they call us, it’s too late. Even if we weren’t talking about my sister and the niece I haven’t even met yet, you did the right thing.”
I feel her stiffen slightly, as if she just realized we’re putting on a show for my sister—her boss’s wife—so I’m not surprised when she pulls away.
“Okay.” She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Do you want something to drink? Or some cookies. And unlike your adorable nephew, I’ll actually let you eat them.”
We all laugh, breaking the tension in the room, and Whitney goes into the kitchen to pour me a coffee. I’m not surprised she’s barely out of sight before Nat is giving me her best nosy sister expression.
I shake my head. Not only do I not want to have a conversation about Whitney when she’s right there in the kitchen, but I have no idea what I’d even say.
Yes, I think Whitney might bethe one. Actually, I’m almost sure of it.
No, I’m not going to say that out loud to anybody because Whitney has a life and a career she loves in New York City. I can’t ask her to give that up.
Natalie holds her hands out, palms up, in a silent demand for more of a reaction. I shake my head again and she scowls.
I’m saved from the probability she’s going to start using words when Erin walks in, bringing a blast of cold air with her. Considering the library isn’t supposed to be closed right now, I’m surprised to see her.
After slipping out of her boots and dumping her coat on top of the pile, she flops onto the couch next to Nat. “You don’t look like you’re in labor. One of our patrons said he saw Rob flying in here with his lights and sirens going.”
“Oh no,” Whitney wails from the kitchen, confirming my fear she’d be able to hear any conversation happening in the front room. “The whole town knows?”
“It was Braxton-Hicks, but Whitney wanted to be sure,” Natalie explains. Then she raises her voice. “And we appreciate her erring on the side of caution.”
“Always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to babies,” Erin agrees in a similarly loud voice.
When Whitney comes out with a coffee and a couple of cookies for me, my sisters have already pivoted to a discussion about the library’s float. Whitney sits in an armchair and when she meets my eye, I give her a smile.
To my relief, she smiles back. Her body language is relaxed, and it looks like she’s starting to see the humor in the situation, which is good. Putting up with the Byrne family requires a healthy sense of humor, plus I don’t want her feeling uncomfortable.
I’m only halfway through my coffee when my radio squawks and I have to leave in a hurry. But not so much of a hurry that I don’t pause at the door, listening to the sound of Whitney’s voice and laughter blending with my sisters’.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Whitney
By the time Rob texts me the following day about the candy cane maze, I’m desperate to get out.
The inn definitely isn’t empty anymore. Justine Donovan—my boss’s mother—and her wife, Judy, arrived about two hours after Natalie and Sam showed up. Then Rob’s parents, Stella and Randy, arrived with Nana Jo. It was a lot of introductions, but they were all super nice and, of course, had heard a lot about me. There was definitely apractically one of the familyvibe that made me vaguely uncomfortable due to the amount of time I spend thinking about Rob.
His sister Layla and her two daughters, Mel and Elsa, were staying in one of the rooms, as well. When Erin arrives after work tonight, she’s going to stay in Penny’s room. I offered to switch rooms, since I’m an employee and so she could be nearer to her family, but she muttered something about the distance being a feature and not a bug, waving me off.
Breakfast this morning was loud and chaotic, especially with two girls who still had to go to school, and the energy switched from elegant inn to family Christmas gathering overnight.
It’s a little exhausting, and Rob’s text was a perfect reprieve.
There’s some kind of popcorn being made and Mr. Wilson is on his plane, so I have some time. I’m not sure how the parking situation is right now. It might be a car version of Jenga out there.
I’ll pick you up in 20 minutes. First stop is the General Store.
Yesssss. I love yo…
I stop typing and stare at the words I’ve written on my screen. Then I delete them so quickly, I’m shocked I didn’t sprain my thumb.
Yessss.Then the coffee emoji.
That’s better, though I’m not sure why I’m so thrown by the message I almost sent. It’s the casual sort of thing one might say when offered coffee.Yes, I love you.
