She’d always loved Ryan’s smile but now it had more character. Along with the dimple on his chin, there were laugh lines on either side of his mouth, deep ones that indicated that he laughed a lot. Barbi forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. To walk up to his family and pay her respects to them one by one, finishing with Ryan.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” she said softly.
“Thank you. It’s good to see you, Barbi. It’s been a long time.”
“It has.”
“I know you were close to her. She spoke of you often these past few years.” That was nice to hear.
“She was a special lady. I’m going to miss her.”
Ryan nodded. “We all will.”
“Well, it was nice to see you, Ryan. I imagine you’re heading back to Chicago soon?” Between his Food Network show and restaurant chain, she didn’t think she’d likely be seeing him again.
He smiled. “Actually, I’m going to be staying here for a little while. Taking some time off to figure out my next step.”
Barbi was surprised. “You are? Well, that’s nice. I’m sure your family will be glad to see more of you.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. You know my dad.” Ryan’s father had always been difficult. They’d never been particularly close and he had never approved of Ryan being a chef. It didn’t seem manly enough to the former army general.
“Maybe the years have softened him?” Barbi wondered. His father had remarried a few years ago, and he and his new wife came into the restaurant occasionally.
“Maybe. Hard to say.” A cloud passed over his face. “Aunt Rita left me her house, if you can believe it. I’ve never believed in signs before, but I have a feeling I’m meant to stay here for a while.”
Barbi’s heart sank. “She left you her house? That’s wonderful. Well, I should let you go, I’m holding up the line.”
“Bye, Barbi. I’ll see you later this week.”
“You will?” What was he talking about?
He grinned. “Wade talked me into working at the restaurant for a bit. I’m the new sous chef!”
About the Author
@AuthorKOsbourne
Kirsten Osbourne
www.kirsenandmorganna.com
Also by Kirsten Osbourne
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Ranch's Retreat (River's End Ranch Book 6) Page 12
