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“What about more tea?” Aunt Janice asked.
Aiden gave her a hug. “Well, seeing that you’re not seriously ill as you’ve had Riley believe, I’m off. Craig will probably also stop by. He was seeing a client when I called to tell him you’re so ill Riley has dropped everything back in Portland and is on her way to visit.” He kissed Riley on the forehead. “I’m glad you’re here, sis. I hope we’ll see you tonight?”
“What’s happening tonight?” Riley asked.
Aiden smiled. “Small towns are busy over Christmas, I’ve discovered. By tonight, all the shops in town will have their Christmas decorations done, I’m told. Everybody in town gathers to walk down Main Street up to the courthouse for the lighting of the Christmas tree.”
“Sounds fun, thanks. It would be lovely to see the family.”
“Vivian has invited everyone for lunch on Sunday. I hope you’ll be able to join us, as well?” Aiden continued. “She’d be so happy to know you’re here. You can tell her all about kissing Mitch tonight.”
“Seriously,” Riley muttered, avoiding looking at Mitch.
Smiling, Aunt Janice took Aiden’s arm. “Let me walk you out.” She and Aiden disappeared down the corridor.
Dylan had discovered the small cars Aunt Janice kept in a basket in the kitchen and was happily playing, totally unaffected by the small bomb he’d dropped minutes ago.
Mitch was sipping his tea, his gaze on her. She’d forgotten the impact of the unusual combination of one blue and one brown eye.
“So, how have you been?” she asked.
“I’m well, thank you. What about you?”
“Great. I love the new job; it’s just been crazy busy. You’re writing a novel, I believe. How is that going?”
“I’ve just finished.”
“That’s great. And? Have you sent it to a publisher?”
He shook his head. “I’m not quite there yet. I’ve asked my sisters to read it. I can trust them to be brutally honest. When I get their feedback, I’ll start editing.”
“If you’re looking for more people to read your manuscript, I’m here for the next week. I won’t hold my punches either.”
“You never do.” He grinned. “Thank you, I’ll think about it.”
For a moment, it was silent in the kitchen. From the direction of the front door, they could hear that Aunt Janice and Aiden were still talking.
Mitch cleared his throat. “You never responded to my text. Four months is a long time.”
The front door closed. Aunt Janice was returning to the kitchen, thank goodness. “Oh, I responded. I just never sent it.”
Mitch’s eyes narrowed, but before he could reply, Aunt Janice was back. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so happy you’re here. Please don’t be angry with an old woman, but I’ve missed you so.”
Smiling, Riley hugged her. “I’ve been so worried about you. I’m here for the week, but then we have to go back. I still have a few photo shoots until the week before Christmas. Fortunately, editing I can do from anywhere.”
“I just hope you won’t be working all day. I’ve spoken to Joanna who has the prekindergarten class, and she said Dylan is very welcome to join their group for the week.”
“I don’t like school,” Dylan said, getting up from playing with a nativity set.
“Have you made any friends?” Aunt Janice asked.
“Yeah. I like Luca and Sadie, but I don’t like George. He says I shouldn’t play with Sadie, ’cause she’s a girl.”
“I’m sure if he gets to know Sadie, he’ll like her, too.” Aunt Janice smiled. “Tell you what. I’ll go with you on Monday, and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to go again. How does that sound?”
Dylan gave the idea some thought before he nodded. “Okay.”
Mitch got up. “I have to go. I’ll see you all later tonight?”
