Christmas Dinner (Crimson Romance) by Robyn Neeley Page B

cancer.”
    “Oh.” Amanda stared at her feet. “I’m sorry. Look, I don’t mean to be hard on Brad or Melanie. I know they’re going through a hard time with the fire and all. I’m just frustrated by all the secrecy.”
    “We just thought the news would upset you. You haven’t been home in two years. We wanted to spare your feelings. That’s all.”
    “But I was going to find out this weekend? Or were you going to lock them all upstairs?”
    “We were planning on telling you as soon as you arrived last night, but then your sister went into labor.”
    “Still, I’m a grown woman. You should have told me before this. I could have handled it.” She picked up the wooden spoon and went back to stirring the batter. This time without the death grip. “Besides, I have a boyfriend.”
    Her mother beamed. She walked over and brushed Amanda’s bangs out of her eyes. A motherly habit she never could break. “We’re all looking forward to getting to know Tate this weekend.”
    “I am too.”
    Her mother raised her eyebrow.
    “I mean I’m looking forward to
your
getting to know him. I already know him.” That explanation seemed enough to erase the confused look from her mother’s face.
    Amanda bit her lip. Outside of work, there wasn’t much she knew about Tate except he had horrible taste in music and wore ridiculous sweaters, but he also knew how to deliver one amazing, knock-your-socks-off kiss on demand.
    Her mother grabbed her car keys from the counter. “I was thinking that after you finish with the cookies you could take your grandmother over to the hospital to visit with Quinn and the baby?” She turned to leave the kitchen. “If that’s okay?”
    Amanda followed her to the living room. “You don’t need me to deliver any ornaments and cookies?”
    “No, I think the volunteers have it covered. Perhaps you and Tate could take the afternoon off and spend some time together.” Her mother walked over to Grandma Turner who was watching television in her rocking chair.
    “Mom,” she said over the TV. “Amanda is going to bake Christmas cookies this morning and then take you to see Quinn and the baby. Let her know if you need anything.”
    “You don’t need to shout.” Grandma Turner peered up from her rocking chair. “Where is that young gentleman Amanda brought home with her? I want to see him, too.”
    “He’s helping Jack and Alex this morning. You’ll have plenty of time to get to know Tate this weekend. As will we all.” She turned toward Amanda. “I’m going to stop by the mall and buy Tate a gift to open tomorrow. Is there anything he needs?”
    “Oh, that’s not necessary. We’re not doing gifts this year.”
    “You’re not?”
    “We’re saving up for a vacation. A long one—” Amanda added, “to Africa.”
    “Really?” Her mother shot her another skeptical look. “Well, you know it’s tradition to open gifts before Christmas dinner. I’ll just pick up something. What does he like?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t know what he likes?”
    Amanda smiled wryly. Leave it to her mother to question the relationship. “He likes Christmas sweaters. Tacky ones.”
    Her mother patted her arm. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” She kissed her on her cheek and disappeared out the door.
    Amanda returned to the kitchen and went back to her baking. She didn’t like lying to her family about Tate, but her pride was still holding the truth hostage.
    She wondered if he was enjoying his time with her dad. She hoped Alex had put a moratorium on tormenting him.
    Her grandmother appeared in the doorway. She walked slowly with her cane into the kitchen. Her knee always gave her trouble.
    “Here, Grandma, let me help you.” She took her grandmother’s arm and helped her to a small table with two chairs. It overlooked the front hill. “See you’ve got your sweater on,” she teased and gave it a gentle tug.
    “Oh, yes. Your mom had it ready for me shortly after Thanksgiving.