were. Mari was one of the warmest, kindest people she’d ever met. The fact that she seemed as eager to know Faith as Faith was to know her helped matters greatly.
The three of them ate outdoors on the patio at a local restaurant, Jake’s Place. The weather was ideal, the company excellent and the food good. Mari and Faith compared notes on their pregnancy while Ryan listened. Despite his impassive expression, Faith thought he paid close attention to what they said. It was obvious to Faith that Ryan deeply cared about his little sister. He leaned forward and took part in the conversation more animatedly when the topic turned to Mari’s daughter, Riley. It warmed her heart to hear him speak with such fond pride of his niece.
“That’s the last one I have on my cell phone,” Ryan said as he showed Faith the final photo, this one of a grinning little girl sitting amongst a huge pile of torn Christmas wrapping, a red wrapping bow in her curly, dark hair.
“She liked the wrapping paper more than she did her presents,” Mari told Faith with a twinkle in her eyes.
“She’s absolutely adorable,” Faith said sincerely, handing the phone back to Ryan. “Do you and your husband know if Riley is going to have a brother or sister?”
“A sister,” Mari said, giving Ryan a knowing glance. “Another niece for Uncle Ryan to spoil. Speaking of which, what about you? Am I going to have a niece or nephew? My first time being an aunt!” Mari said with barely contained excitement.
Faith laughed. Mari’s enthusiasm was contagious. The two women began talking excitedly, pausing to nod an acknowledgment when Ryan saw an old friend walk onto the patio and excused himself to go and greet him. Mari watched her brother walk away and glanced at Faith with a smile.
“He probably needs a break from all the estrogen we’re exuding.”
Faith chuckled, but shook her head a little sadly. She caught Mari’s eye.
“He’s got to be plowed under by all this, Mari. It was the last thing he expected.”
Mari’s grin faded. She reached across the table and patted Faith’s hand. “The same must be true for you,” she said feelingly.
“I’m okay,” she assured. “You know how it is, being a mother. Sure, it took me by storm when I realized I was going to have a baby. But I’ve had months to come to terms with it, and the baby is here—” she touched her belly significantly “—growing inside me. It’s different for Ryan.”
“He’ll get his footing. Ryan is nothing if not adaptable. He may be stunned, but he’s also happy, Faith. Incredibly so,” Mari added more quietly.
“Do you really think so?”
Mari nodded. “I could hear the wonder in his voice when he told me he was going to have a child. Family is very important to Ryan.”
“I can imagine.” Faith’s expression tightened with compassion and she turned her hand, giving Mari’s hand a squeeze. “You guys lost your family when you were so young. It’s no wonder he values family ties the way he does. Did he...did Ryan tell you about his plans to move to Michigan?” Faith asked hesitantly.
Mari’s golden brown eyes filled with concern. “I’m guessing you’re not very pleased about that?”
“It’s not that,” Faith exclaimed. “His decision just took me by surprise, that’s all.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “To be honest, this whole thing with your brother has taken me off guard.”
“I can only imagine. At least one little mystery has been cleared up for me,” Mari said, a small smile tugging at her mouth.
“What’s that?”
“Why Ryan was so fixed and determined to return to Michigan last Christmas Eve. I thought for sure he’d be less than thrilled at the idea of spending the holiday at Brigit’s house, so I was shocked when he readily—even eagerly—agreed to come with us to Harbor Town. He obviously was looking forward to seeing you.”
Faith’s eyes widened in amazement at this news. Perhaps Mari noticed
The three of them ate outdoors on the patio at a local restaurant, Jake’s Place. The weather was ideal, the company excellent and the food good. Mari and Faith compared notes on their pregnancy while Ryan listened. Despite his impassive expression, Faith thought he paid close attention to what they said. It was obvious to Faith that Ryan deeply cared about his little sister. He leaned forward and took part in the conversation more animatedly when the topic turned to Mari’s daughter, Riley. It warmed her heart to hear him speak with such fond pride of his niece.
“That’s the last one I have on my cell phone,” Ryan said as he showed Faith the final photo, this one of a grinning little girl sitting amongst a huge pile of torn Christmas wrapping, a red wrapping bow in her curly, dark hair.
“She liked the wrapping paper more than she did her presents,” Mari told Faith with a twinkle in her eyes.
“She’s absolutely adorable,” Faith said sincerely, handing the phone back to Ryan. “Do you and your husband know if Riley is going to have a brother or sister?”
“A sister,” Mari said, giving Ryan a knowing glance. “Another niece for Uncle Ryan to spoil. Speaking of which, what about you? Am I going to have a niece or nephew? My first time being an aunt!” Mari said with barely contained excitement.
Faith laughed. Mari’s enthusiasm was contagious. The two women began talking excitedly, pausing to nod an acknowledgment when Ryan saw an old friend walk onto the patio and excused himself to go and greet him. Mari watched her brother walk away and glanced at Faith with a smile.
“He probably needs a break from all the estrogen we’re exuding.”
Faith chuckled, but shook her head a little sadly. She caught Mari’s eye.
“He’s got to be plowed under by all this, Mari. It was the last thing he expected.”
Mari’s grin faded. She reached across the table and patted Faith’s hand. “The same must be true for you,” she said feelingly.
“I’m okay,” she assured. “You know how it is, being a mother. Sure, it took me by storm when I realized I was going to have a baby. But I’ve had months to come to terms with it, and the baby is here—” she touched her belly significantly “—growing inside me. It’s different for Ryan.”
“He’ll get his footing. Ryan is nothing if not adaptable. He may be stunned, but he’s also happy, Faith. Incredibly so,” Mari added more quietly.
“Do you really think so?”
Mari nodded. “I could hear the wonder in his voice when he told me he was going to have a child. Family is very important to Ryan.”
“I can imagine.” Faith’s expression tightened with compassion and she turned her hand, giving Mari’s hand a squeeze. “You guys lost your family when you were so young. It’s no wonder he values family ties the way he does. Did he...did Ryan tell you about his plans to move to Michigan?” Faith asked hesitantly.
Mari’s golden brown eyes filled with concern. “I’m guessing you’re not very pleased about that?”
“It’s not that,” Faith exclaimed. “His decision just took me by surprise, that’s all.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “To be honest, this whole thing with your brother has taken me off guard.”
“I can only imagine. At least one little mystery has been cleared up for me,” Mari said, a small smile tugging at her mouth.
“What’s that?”
“Why Ryan was so fixed and determined to return to Michigan last Christmas Eve. I thought for sure he’d be less than thrilled at the idea of spending the holiday at Brigit’s house, so I was shocked when he readily—even eagerly—agreed to come with us to Harbor Town. He obviously was looking forward to seeing you.”
Faith’s eyes widened in amazement at this news. Perhaps Mari noticed
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