She had called her parents and would again on Christmas. They had passed the phone around and she’d talked with everyone. If her heart had ached a little, that was okay, she told herself. If it hadn’t, she’d have been more upset. As it was, she looked around her at the decorations, the food, the people she was coming to think of as family, and she was thankful. She had taken a big risk six months ago leaving behind her family, friends, career, everything she knew, to try something different. Crazy, even. So far, she couldn’t be happier. And she had one person in particular to thank for that.
She spotted Riley across the room with Joe. It didn’t take a genius to figure out he was doing his best to get Joe worked up about the baby again. As she watched, Joe paled and clutched at Karen’s arm. Riley threw his head back and laughed while Karen patted Joe’s hand and reassured. When Karen turned and said something to Riley, he was the one who paled. Curious, Susan paid closer attention as Riley began backing away, eyes zooming around as if hoping for rescue. Karen took a determined step towards Riley. Slowly, soothingly, she took his hand and placed it on her belly. Even from a distance, Susan could see every muscle in Riley’s body tense. His eyes grew wide as Karen kept his hand in place. Susan’s laughter bubbled over at the sheer terror on Riley’s face. But then she saw him relax and slowly, ever so slowly, a smile spread across his face and lit up his eyes. She watched as he mouthed ‘It moved’ over and over.
Sweet, she thought. Riley and his brothers may act tough, but Susan knew they were almost as anxious as Joe for the baby to be born. The first McCabe grandchild was going to be loved—and spoiled—to pieces.
One who would be responsible for a big part of that spoiling approached Susan and caught her in a hug.
“I know I already hugged you and wished you Merry Christmas, but I expect you might be feeling just a little homesick right about now and I thought another hug might help.”
“Thank you, Mrs. McCabe, it does help.”
“Come sit down with me and tell me all about Christmas Eve with your family,” Anna coaxed as she led Susan to the sofa.
Susan sat and clutched a cheery red pillow bedecked with dozens of tiny, glittery snowflakes to her chest. One of her favorite finds at It’s a Lake Thing, she thought idly as she turned it over in her hands.
“Will they have a crowd tonight?”
“Just my parents, my brothers, and my sister-in-law. We don’t have any other family around. Sometimes the Munsons, our neighbors for as long as I can remember, come over, but Mom said they’re in Florida this year visiting some family. They don’t have anyone close by either so we spend holidays with them sometimes.”
“That’s nice, I always think the more the merrier at the holidays. Family or friends, it doesn’t matter.”
“I guess. Holidays were so different when I was a child, before…before everything. We were always at my grandparents’ house, my grandmother did all the cooking, everyone was so happy, there were games, and laughter…it was Christmas. What Christmas was to me, anyhow. Then after, my mom started having the holidays at our house. The first couple of years were rough, even as a kid you notice the strain, the sadness, but it got better and we gradually made a new normal.” Susan didn’t realize she had stopped talking and was staring into the darkness until Anna put a hand on hers.
“No matter how much time passes, there’s something about holidays, Christmas especially, that makes you remember. I guess it’s because everyone is usually so happy. Those kinds of memories have a way of sticking with you when some of the not-so-happy ones fade. And that’s how it should be, I think.”
Susan nodded, grateful for the wise words.
“I was sorry to hear your aunts weren’t going to be here tonight, I’m guessing they have an abundance of Christmas stories to share. Is Rose feeling better?”
“She is. I visited this morning, she’s still got a bit of a cold, but she’s a lot stronger than she was a couple of weeks ago…a few days ago, even. I’ll admit she gave me a bit of a scare. I’ve never seen her so weak and run-down. And she just didn’t seem to have the same fight in her that I’m used to seeing. I couldn’t quite figure it out, but she and Kate were carrying on like normal this morning so she’s definitely on the road to recovery.”
“It must be nice for them to be in the same apartment building. They’re able to see each other, to check on each other, without having to go outside.”
“Yes, most of the time,” Anna laughed. “Sometimes when I visit most of what I hear is how impossible the other one is. I guess that’s sisters for you. But it’s a nice place and it’s a good thing they both moved in when they did. There’s a waiting list now for the building. It’s the only senior apartment building in town or within a number of miles so there’s quite a demand. They’re having a little Christmas Eve party tonight. Hopefully Rose feels up to going.”
“I hope so.” Susan caught sight of Riley pulling Sam under the mistletoe and leaning her back for a dramatic kiss in front of Jake.
Anna watched Susan watch Riley with the eyes of a mother who wants only the best for her child and who has just determined that’s what is headed her child’s way.
“I hear things are moving along nicely with the bed and breakfast.”
Focusing her attention back on Anna, Susan answered, “They are. Riley is doing a wonderful job. If I’m not able to stop by for a day or two I’m always amazed at the progress.”
“That’s good to hear. He’s quite something, Riley.”
Susan couldn’t miss the leading tone in Anna’s voice. “Yes, he is,” she answered tentatively, somewhat unsure of where the conversation was headed.
“He’s always been one to throw himself into a project and not give up. He’ll work hard until you’re happy with the way everything turns out.”
“I’m sure he will.”
“You know, he’s never brought a girl around for Christmas. Not a one. Now, I realize he didn’t exactly bring you as this is your home and you’d be welcome at our home tomorrow regardless, but I can tell that’s kind of how it is for him.”
Aha, Susan thought. Now Riley’s mom was getting to the reason for their chat. She remained silent and waited.
“He’s dated a few girls off and on but nothing serious.” She let the idea hang for a moment before continuing. “And you? I realize I’ve never asked if you left someone behind in Chicago.”
“Um, nope. No one left behind.”
“I see.” Anna was beaming. “You know what a small town Misty Lake is…I have some friends who like nothing better than to report to me on my children’s comings and goings, so it’s only fair to tell you I’ve heard you and Riley have been out together a number of times.”
“I don’t know if I’d say a number…”
“No matter. I just want you to know that I think it’s wonderful. Riley is a special boy—man, I suppose I should say although he’ll always be a boy to me—and I love seeing him happy. You make him happy, Susan.”
“Well, I don’t know…I think maybe I drive him crazy sometimes.” Susan was starting to sweat. She didn’t think she could have this conversation, didn’t think she could handle discussing Riley with his mother. She looked around desperately, wishing someone would come over to talk to them, wishing Gusto would demand her attention, wishing Karen would go into labor, wishing the Christmas tree would spontaneously combust…
“Pardon me?” she realized she hadn’t been listening as Riley’s mother had continued to talk. She ordered herself to focus and to stop picturing a flaming Christmas tree.
Anna smiled knowingly. “I was just saying that I can always tell when Riley’s thinking about a girl. He gets distracted and then he gets moody. It’s not a bad thing, mind you, just his thing. He gets over it quickly as it usually doesn’t take him long to decide if the girl is worth his trouble or not. Now with you, he’s past the moodiness so I know he’s made up his mind.”
“Oh?” Susan managed.
“Look how he’s
smiling over this way. It’s not hard to figure out what he’s decided.”
Smiling? Right. He was probably just trying to keep from busting out laughing. Evil, that’s what he was, enjoying her obvious discomfort. Well, she’d show him. Gathering herself, she turned to his mother and leaned close. “Let’s just hope his decision is the right one. I’ve done some thinking myself and I’d hate to have to tell him he’s come to the wrong decision. Just between you and me, Mrs. McCabe, I’ve decided I’m quite taken with your son, but I don’t think I’m ready to let him know quite yet. Nothing wrong with keeping a man guessing, I figure. Especially a man who has been looking pretty darn smug for the last few minutes. I’ll tell him soon, but I hope you don’t mind if I make him squirm for just a little while.”
Anna drew back and studied Susan for brief moment before tossing her head and letting a laugh fly. “I knew I liked you, Susan. You’re going to keep Riley on his toes, that’s for sure. Good for you.” She laid a hand on Susan’s. “And I think you’d better call me Anna.”
Susan kept one eye on Riley as she meandered across the room, stopping for a quick word with Karen to make sure she was comfortable, checking to see if Frank needed a refill, and patting her dozing dog on the head. By the time she made her way to him, the hint of concern she had seen in his eyes when his mother had first laughed was now full-blown alarm.
Riley saw them talking, figured Susan was sitting through a round of questioning from his mother. It was funny, really. Wasn’t it usually the girl’s dad doing the interrogating? Not with his mom in the picture. She’d probably know everything from Susan’s favorite movie to her views on politics to details of her first kiss within a few minutes. For as self-assured as she liked to be, he could tell, even from this distance, that Susan was caving to his mother. He decided to relax and watch the show.
When Susan leaned in and started whispering to his mother, and when his mother got that surprised look on her face, the one that he’d seen only a few times, that’s when Riley started to sweat. When they both looked his way and smirked he considered making a run for it. Now that Susan was in front of him, after taking her sweet time getting there, he wanted to appear unruffled.
“So, what were you two talking about,” Riley asked, struggling to keep his voice impassive. “Is my mom making up stories about me?” He gave a weak, forced laugh that turned into a cough.
“Making up stories? I’m betting there are enough true stories that she doesn’t need to resort to making things up.”
“Well, I’m sure she embellished.”
“Relax, McCabe. She wasn’t in the story-telling mood today.”
Now he was even more perplexed as he threw a glance his mother’s way then focused again on Susan. “I doubt you were talking about the weather…what gives?”
“Just girl talk, you wouldn’t be interested.”
Not interested. Right. It was eating at him and she darn well knew it. Well, he’d get it out of her, or his mom, eventually. Time to change the subject. “If you say so.” He gave a casual shrug and looked to the kitchen. “Let’s go get something to eat before Frank and my dad clean us out.”
Susan thoroughly enjoyed being with the McCabe family. They teased, debated, joked, and competed but above all, loved. And they treated Susan and Sam as if they had always been a part of the group. Later in the evening, when Shauna took control of the music that had been playing low in the background and insisted on a game of ‘Name that Christmas Tune,’ Susan was treated to a first-hand example of their competitive nature.
“Guys against girls isn’t fair,” Joe protested. “You know more Christmas songs than we do.” His brothers nodded their agreement.
“But you have one more player since Shauna’s running the iPod,” Karen shot back.
“It’s still not even. How about if we swap Dad for Mom?” Riley suggested.
“Well, thank you very much for your vote of confidence, son,” Sean said with a long, slow look at Riley.
Anna chuckled and settled the argument. “We’ll leave the teams as they are. You boys will just have to try your best.”
“Okay.” Shauna rubbed her hands together. “I’ll start out easy to get you warmed up, but pay attention because I won’t necessarily start at the beginning of the song. When you know the answer, shout it out. First team to ten wins.” With that, she started the first song.
A couple of notes in, Sam was on her feet, her hand in the air. “It’s Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer!”
“Right! That’s one for the girls.” Shauna smirked at her brothers.
Karen waved an arm in Sam’s direction. “No one said anything about jumping to our feet when we know the answer. I can’t do that. No way.”
“It’s not a rule. Apparently Sam just got a little excited,” Shauna said.
“Yeah, I got a little excited,” Sam said, then gave Jake a friendly punch in the shoulder when he laughed at her.
“Next song,” Shauna announced.
The men were leaning forward in their seats, eyes focused on the iPod speaker, but this time it was Anna who shouted, “Joy To The World!”
“Good job, Mom, that’s another for the girls.”
Some mumbling started on the sofa where Frank, Jake, and Riley were seated. “You should have gotten that one,” Riley grumbled at Frank. “Remember how he used to walk around the house shouting ‘Joy to the World’ at the top of his lungs all December long?”
“I remember,” Jake said. “Annoying. Now pay attention, we’re losing.”
“Ready?” Shauna asked before starting the next song.
When Susan got O Christmas Tree out just a moment before Joe, there were some unpleasant looks exchanged on the men’s team.
“You guys are getting your butts kicked,” Shauna singsonged.
“Just play the next one,” Frank grumbled.
A few notes into the song, Riley bellowed, “Chris—Christmas Vacation! That’s Christmas Vacation!”
“Calm down, you only get one point regardless of how many times you shout the answer,” Shauna admonished.
There were high fives and fist bumps all around as the men celebrated Riley’s point.
“Don’t get too excited, you’re still down three to one,” Sam cautioned.
“Getting nervous, are you?” Jake asked.
“Not at all, right ladies?” Susan said. They all chimed in.
“Right.”
“It’s probably the only one they’ll get all night.”
“Look at them, acting like they won the game.”
“Moving on,” Shauna said over the din.
It took Susan only a moment to recognize O Holy Night. “Hah! Guess you guys aren’t so smart after all,” she needled.
Sean just shook his head. “I don’t know how you’re answering so fast. I don’t even have a chance to hear the song before one of you is belting out the answer.”
To Sam and Susan Anna said, “Sean prefers games that don’t require such quick answers. He’s a whiz at trivia games provided it’s not a race to answer first.”
“Sounds like Granddad,” Susan reminisced. “Remember, Sam? Remember how much he hated it when we’d play one of the dozens of board games with timers?”
“But he always played along…except when we asked him to play that game that was like charades. That one he only played once.”
“He was a good sport. I miss him.”
“I do too,” Sam said and laid a hand over Susan’s.
Before they could let themselves get too swept away in their memories, Shauna was starting yet another song.
This time, it took everyone a while. Anna was humming along, frustrated at not being able to come up with the title. Jake was mouthing the words, trying to sing ahead of the music to get to the title before someone else. Finally, it was Karen who announced, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.”
“Darn it!” Jake pounded his fist of the arm of the sofa. “I was just going to say that.”
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“Well, you should have been quicker,” Shauna chided. “You guys ready to give up?”
“We don’t give up,” Riley growled at his sister. “Just play the next one.” He turned and scowled at his teammates. “Pay attention.”
The women got the next three before Jake got Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer making the score eight to two.
“I’ve never liked that song,” Anna frowned. “Why would anyone think it’s funny that Grandma got run over by a reindeer on Christmas Eve? Christmas songs are supposed to be happy.”
“How about that horrible Christmas shoes song? Why do we need to hear it on the radio ten times a day, I have to wonder? A song about a little boy buying shoes for his dying mom? It’s awful.” Karen’s voice caught, her eyes started to fill, and Joe was on his feet and at her side in a flash.
“It’s okay, honey,” Joe soothed as he stroked her back. “I’m sure Shauna won’t play that song.” He glared at Shauna as if daring her to contradict him.
Shauna held her hands up in defense. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to play it. I don’t like it anyway.”
Karen took a deep breath and seemed embarrassed by her behavior. “I’m sorry, sometimes these crazy hormones make me a little emotional,” she muttered.
“A little?” Riley mumbled and earned a sharp elbow in the ribs from Jake.
After a couple of minutes Shauna asked, “How about one more song? There’s no way the boys are going to catch up, but there’s one more I want to play.”
They agreed and Shauna started the music. There were some curious glances as no one could place the tune. Suddenly Sean announced, “Christmas In Killarney,” his face beaming as he looked proudly around the room.
“Way to go, Dad!” Shauna congratulated him. “I knew you’d get it.”
“Good choice, Shauna, this Christmas needed a little Irish,” Sean said in the thickest brogue he could muster.
The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series Page 12
