Together their little group headed toward the convention center a block away, a large, graceful building that had once been a grand hotel catering to the long-ago tourists who used to visit the area to partake of the healing waters of its namesake springs.
Audrey and Lydia walked ahead of them, holding hands.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” Ryan asked her as they approached his truck. “You’ve been on your feet all day and probably want to go home and collapse. I can take Audrey on my own. You and Lydia don’t have to go with us, if it’s too much for you.”
Her day had been long and exhausting and right then she wanted to lean against him and soak up his strength.
As tempting as she found that, it wasn’t necessary. Since her divorce, she had found hidden strength inside herself.
“Lydia is looking forward to it. I don’t want to disappoint her.”
“What about you? Everything doesn’t have to be about Lydia, Holly.”
She needed that reminder. “I’m looking forward to it, too,” she said with honesty.
He smiled down at her and in that moment, she couldn’t imagine anywhere else she would rather be.
When they walked into the convention center a few moments later, they were immediately hit from all sides by noise that echoed in the big hall.
Music, laughter, conversation. It all created a wild cacophony.
Holly glanced at Lydia and found her daughter looking around with shining eyes. Fortunately, she didn’t get overstimulated easily. Lydia seemed to thrive on noise and chaos.
“My friend’s group is performing at seven. Want to eat first?” Audrey asked.
“Yes. Let’s do that,” Ryan said.
“The food court is over there.” Holly pointed to an area in the center of the cavernous convention hall set up with food booths and picnic tables. Even from here, she could pick out various delicious scents from the offerings there.
She always forgot how much she enjoyed the holiday market. Yes, it was crowded and chaotic and loud but it was also undeniably festive and exciting.
They headed together toward the food court area. As they made their way through the crowd, she said hello to several people she knew, both booth vendors and customers. That was another thing she loved: connecting with neighbors and friends here.
She introduced Ryan to a few people and couldn’t help noticing that their group received more than a few speculative looks. She tried to ignore them, though she was fully aware the whole town had to be curious about the gorgeous stranger who was currently holding the hand Lydia had thrust into his.
So what? She would much rather have them look at her with speculation about a possible new love interest than with pity.
“What kind of food sounds good to you guys?” Ryan asked as they approached the food court. “Looks like our options are unlimited. Everything from pitas to curry to tacos.”
“I love tacos,” Lydia announced.
Holly knew that was absolutely true, though there were very few foods Lydia didn’t love.
“Sounds good to me,” Audrey said. “What about you, Uncle Ry?”
“I’m a big fan. Some of my favorite places to eat are the taco trucks in San Diego.”
“We have some good ones here too and a couple of them have stalls here at the market. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in any of them.”
She was starving suddenly, Holly realized. That protein drink hadn’t been nearly enough to sustain her through a long day.
She led the way to the line for a stall operated by a family she knew and liked. “I think you’ll like this one. They make a fantastic carne asada.”
“Works for me,” Ryan said.
The line moved quickly and soon it was their turn.
“It’s my treat,” she said firmly as Ryan was about to order.
