Santa Bring Me a Ryan by Rene Penn

Author:Rene Penn [Penn, Rene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

Jules savored a slice of Shirley’s homemade cheesecake with strawberry glaze. It was as amazing as the others let on. “A combination and recipe that could put Mrs. Smith’s out of business,” Jules told Shirley. She also had a tiny piece of pumpkin pie and felt a lot less guilty to see that she wasn’t the only one having a double-dessert. If you couldn’t overindulge during the holidays, then when could you? Besides, she was happy that things were going so well with Bryan. And Kathy seemed to have warmed back up since the power-outage mishap earlier.

She said to Jules, "We're going to drive around after dinner on Christmas and see the lights. Do you want to join us?"

Yes, things were looking up.

“Sounds great. I’m in.”

Twenty minutes later, everyone stood in the garage, figuring out how to divvy up the large group into the available cars. One of the couples had decided to call it a night and gave hugs to everyone. They told Jules how much they enjoyed meeting her and would see her again the next day.

Once they departed, twelve people remained in the group. “We can fit four comfortably in three cars,” Paul surmised.

Jules followed Bryan toward Kathy and Paul’s Jeep. Little Bonnie dodged the crowd of adult limbs to attach herself to Bryan’s side.

“I want to go with you.” She smiled up at him.

Bryan tousled the top of her blonde hair. “Okay, kiddo.”

Bonnie’s mom, Clara, said, “I should probably ride with you guys then.”

“Wait,” Kathy said, glancing at and Bryan.

“Jules, you’ll be okay riding in another car, right?” asked Bryan.

“Sure,” she chirped.

Jeez, she hadn’t expected him to kick little Bonnie or cousin Clara aside to make sure there was room in the car for her. But still…

He could’ve been a bit more… upset? Disappointed? Saddened that she wouldn’t be riding with him?

"My car has room," a deep voice said behind her.

She turned to see Ryan pointing a finger toward the driveway. Bryan didn’t say a word.

Disappointment crept into Jules’ belly, but she smiled back at Ryan. “Thanks.” She followed him to the pick-up parked behind the garage.

Cousin Helena insisted that her husband Dave ride in the front with Ryan, while Jules sat in the backseat with her. “So we can chitchat.”

They piled into Ryan’s Dodge Ram, and the caravan of cars set off, with Paul and Kathy leading the way. They passed Bud and Shirley’s place, another beautiful cabin a few acres away. White lights sloped over the steepled roof and wrapped around mature trees in the yard.

“How long are you and Bryan staying?” Helena asked Jules.

“Until the twenty-seventh.”

“Quick trip.”

“I don’t want to overstay my welcome. And I think Bryan said he has to get back to work.”

Ryan’s eyes flickered at her in the rear-view mirror.

He turned down a road lined with trees on each side, and then made a left into a new neighborhood. They slowed down just as a flood of Christmas colors filled the car. Jules pressed her nose against the window, gawking at the dazzling lights.

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