The conversation was stilted and awkward at first as the line slowly moved them closer to Santa’s workshop but Holly seemed adept at keeping it flowing. He had to admire that, too. She seemed to sense Brittany felt insecure and was doing her best to put the other woman at ease.
Feeling oddly protective of both Holly and Lydia, he stepped in to help when the conversation stalled again.
“I understand you’re in town for a wedding.”
“That’s right,” Troy answered. “My little sister finally decided to tie the knot. Weddings aren’t my favorite thing. Normally I would have tried to wiggle out but since it’s so close to Christmas I decided we could make it work.”
“Kristine was telling me how lovely the flowers are. It’s so kind of you to do that for her,” Brittany said. Her words sounded genuine.
“I was happy to do it. I love Kristine.”
“And I understand you’re going to be a flower girl,” Brittany said, smiling down at Lydia, who for some reason had decided to grab Ryan’s hand again.
He had to wonder why she hadn’t grabbed her dad’s hand instead.
“Yes. I have a pretty dress and Mommy is putting flowers in my hair.”
Brittany obviously couldn’t understand Lydia’s words, whichwere sometimes a little garbled. Admittedly, it had taken Ryan a minute to pick up her speech rhythm but now he understood her clearly.
The other woman looked to Holly for translation.
“She said she has a pretty dress and that I’m planning to weave some flowers in her hair that match the bouquet.”
“She will be so adorable,” Brittany said, her voice just shy of gushy. “I’m only sorry we got married in Tahoe and I couldn’t have her be a flower girl for our wedding.”
“Yes. Too bad she missed it.” Holly spoke without a trace of dryness in her voice but he picked that up, too. “She was only three at the time, though, and probably wouldn’t have been able to follow directions.”
“Now I’m five,” Lydia said.
“You’re such a big girl,” Carol said in the sort of high-pitched voice someone would use when speaking with either a baby or a puppy. It grated on him. Those protective instincts flared again and he did his best not to speak to the older woman in the same tone.
“It’s too bad you’re not wearing the pretty dress you’ll have on for the wedding. It would look so good in the photos,” Brittany said, giving Lydia’s cute red Christmas sweater somewhat of a disparaging look.
“This is what she wore to school today,” Holly said with a trace of defensiveness. “We weren’t expecting to visit the market today. We came straight from the shop and didn’t have time to go home and change.”
“It’s fine. She’s sweet in whatever she wears,” Brittany said.
When it was their turn, Brittany took charge. Though Hudson seemed not in the mood for a photo shoot, she set up the scene like she was directing a big-budget Hollywood movie.
After she had taken what had to be two dozen pictures of Lydia and Hudson together on her phone, Brittany’s mother spoke.
“Why don’t we take a few with just Hudson now,” Carol suggested.
At her stepmother’s urging, Lydia stepped down with a confused expression, returning to her mother and Ryan.
“When do I tell Santa what I want?” she asked in a low voice.
“After the photo shoot. I’m sure they’ll be done soon.”
By now, Hudson’s whines had turned into full-fledged crying and the very patient Santa handed him back to his parents.
“We probably need to take him home,” Brittany said. “He’s tired and had a long day of traveling yesterday.”
“I’m sure that’s it,” Holly said.
“It’s good to see you,” the other woman said. “And nice to meet you, Ryan.”
“I’ll see you again at the wedding.” He couldn’t resist taking Holly’s hand in his. “I’m lucky enough to be Holly’s plus-one.”
