AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Excellent. Well, what are we all having?” Newman cut her off, clearly not comfortable with discussing childbirth at the table. Ryan wasn’t squeamish but had to agree.
“Can I get you some drinks?”
He didn’t visibly stiffen as Faith arrived at his table, but it was there.
“Water for you.” Faith pointed her pen at Hope.
“I could have soda, or juice.”
“You could, but my bet is you go for water, being a clean, green kind of girl,” Faith said, not looking at Ryan. “I’ll chuck a slice of lemon in it so you can live a little.”
His eyes went to her lips. The woman could kiss. She’d heated him up in seconds. Then doused him in icy water.
“Okay.” Hope sighed. “I’ll also take the burger and fries.”
“I’ll take the vegetarian lasagna,” Ryan said.
“Don’t you eat meat?” Hope asked him.
“I don’t, no.”
“Cool.” His sister smiled at him like he’d just saved an entire species of rare birds from extinction.
Faith sniffed.
“Is there a problem with my eating choices?” He raised a brow. “Because, let’s face it, I’m here to please you.”
“Ha ha,” she muttered. She then took his mother’s and Newman’s orders before walking away.
“What’s that about?”
“I have no idea, but when you work it out, fill me in, will you?” he said to Newman. But of course, he did know what Faith’s attitude was. She was as aware of him as he was of her, and then there was the history between them.
He took a large mouthful of water before he started the conversation he’d promised the book club he’d have with his mother. He’d been a fool for agreeing to it, but lemon meringue pie had weakened his resolve.
“So, this new building sounds like a great move for Lake Howling. It should bring in more tourists and allow indoor events when it’s raining. The winter carnival could be hosted in there when it’s done,” Ryan said as if he didn’t know his mother was against the idea. “I may even get the guys to play there.”
Hope drew in a breath, and Newman looked like he had indigestion.
“There will be no building erected,” his mother snapped.
Newman made a throat-slitting gesture. Ryan ignored it.
“Why not?”
“We have no need for such a venue.”
“The church is not big enough anymore, Mom,” Hope said. “It will be a place for the kids in town to meet. We can run movie nights in there and a lot more events.”
“One wonders how many more events this town could host.” Faith said as she arrived with a jug of water for the table. “But I agree that the new building will be an asset.”
“I won’t allow it,” his mother said, her mouth set and shoulders back.
“Bit of a hard-ass, selfish line to take, Mom,” Ryan said, “and just when everyone is saying you’re less hostile these days.”
“They are not!” She looked horrified.
“Someone mentioned the word ‘softening,’ actually,” Hope added.
