Chapter Eighteen
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Riley headed home and found her mother folding laundry. They both looked toward the window as the wind howled and the panes shook a little.
“Jack got off okay? No delays?” her mother asked.
“He got out fine. If this keeps up, though, they will probably cancel flights, I imagine,” she said.
“Seems like he did the right thing going home early. I’m sorry, honey. I know you’re disappointed. At least we got to meet him.”
“You did. What did you think of him?” Riley asked.
Her mother was quiet for a moment before speaking. “He’s clearly very driven and successful and smart. And he has good taste in girlfriends.” She smiled. “I do wish we’d had more time to get to know him better. Hopefully he’ll come back again to see us.”
“Hopefully.” Riley wasn’t going to hold her breath that it would happen anytime soon. Jack was just too busy, and going into winter now, the weather was going to continue to be unpredictable. “On a different note, I spotted Luke reading behind the Christmas tree when I left. It was cute. Reminded me of when Amy and I used to do that.”
Her mother smiled at the memory, too. “I’m glad he feels comfortable enough at the inn to do that. I know he misses having his own tree this year.”
A short while later, they headed back to the inn. Riley cut the cheeses and set up the platter with grapes and crackers and several of the cut cheeses, while her mother opened the wine bottles they planned to serve. Riley brought everything into the living room. Then she left her mother to oversee it while Riley made the rounds to drop off the chocolates and turn down the bedcovers in each room.
When she reached Aidan and Luke’s room, there was no answer, so she guessed they’d already headed to the living room. A few of the guests had asked that she just leave the chocolates outside the door, so she was able to finish up even faster. She headed back to the living room and saw that almost everyone was there already, including Aidan and Luke.
She felt a wave of sadness that Jack wasn’t with them. That they weren’t heading out to dinner after the wine and cheese hour. He was probably back at his apartment by now. She imagined he was probably working a little or just relaxing at home. Or maybe he was out with friends. It didn’t matter much to her either way at this point. She sighed and took a sip of the Cabernet her mother had handed her.
“Are you okay, honey? You looked a million miles away,” her mother said softly.
Riley smiled. “I’m fine, thanks. This wine is really good. Which one is it?”
“I think this one is the Josh. It’s a nice easy-drinking Cab. And it’s inexpensive, too.”
“I like it.” Riley turned at the sound of Aidan’s voice. He’d walked up beside her. Luke was beside him, holding his mug of hot chocolate with both hands.
“Hey, Aidan,” Riley greeted him as the lights flickered for a moment. She could hear the wind howling even more loudly outside.
“Guess we’re in for a good storm.” He reached for a slice of cheddar and cracker and popped it in his mouth. “Where’s Jack?”
“He headed home this afternoon instead of tomorrow, to beat the storm. Just in case it turns into a big one.” The lights flickered again and Luke looked excited.
“Do you think the lights will go out all the way?” Luke asked.
“They might,” Riley said. “But we have a generator, so if they do, our power should kick right back on.”
Luke looked disappointed, but Aidan didn’t. “I didn’t realize that. Good to know.”
Riley glanced around the room. Just about all of the guests were in the living room now and all seemed to be enjoying the wine and cheese hour. Her mother was making the rounds and talking with everyone, and was managing just fine with her crutches. Riley knew she enjoyed chatting with everyone and overall was so much happier since she’d opened the inn. It was the perfect career for her.
Riley wondered where she would end up and hoped her next company would be a place she could stay longer and grow with the company. She had the video interview coming up on Tuesday, but so far, there had been no other bites on her resume. Jack had sent her the link to the opening at his firm and she’d been on the fence about even applying, but until she landed something, she realized she should keep an open mind and apply for just about everything.
“Dad says if there’s enough snow that we can make a snowman tomorrow. But I have to get your permission first. So, can we?” Luke asked.
Riley laughed. “I’m sure my mother would be very excited if you built a snowman for us.”
“Maybe you can help!” Luke suggested.
“Maybe. It depends what time. We might be going to my sister’s for lunch tomorrow. But I’ll be free for a little while after ten, when breakfast service ends,” she said.
“Let’s wait and see how it looks tomorrow, buddy,” Aidan said.
Luke wandered away to get more cheese and crackers and Aidan immediately apologized. “I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do that with us.”
But Riley didn’t mind. It was nice to feel wanted. “I don’t mind. I’ve always liked building snowmen. It’s been a while since I’ve done that.”
He laughed. “Probably not too many opportunities in the city, I imagine.”
“Nope. Not on my street,” she agreed.
“I am sorry your dinner plans got canceled tonight. Luke and I were thinking of getting a few pizzas. If you’re interested in sharing, there will be plenty. Your mother is welcome, too, of course.” He looked so kind and friendly and she thought it was nice of him to invite them.
“That sounds pretty good, actually. We could go to my mother’s house where we won’t be interrupted by people coming and going.”
“If she doesn’t mind, that sounds great. And we’ll drive over. Normally I’d say a half mile is an easy walk, but it might get messy out there.”
“I don’t think she’ll mind at all, but I will go check to make sure.” Riley went off to find her mother and ran the pizza idea by her.
“Well, that’s certainly fine for me. I hadn’t given supper much thought and I don’t really feel like cooking.”
“I don’t either,” Riley agreed. “I’ll tell him it’s a go, then.”
On her way back to find Aidan, Riley ran into Franny, who was in search of more cheese and crackers.
“All your cheeses are good, but this one that tastes a bit like Parmesan and cheddar together is my favorite. I don’t think I’m going to need any supper,” she said.
“That one is my favorite, too,” Riley said.
“A few more and I’ll be ready to head upstairs and hunker down for the evening. I started a new book this morning, a suspense novel, and I’m eager to get back to it.”
“It’s definitely a good night to stay in,” Riley agreed. “I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow, Franny.”
At six, Riley put the cheese and crackers and wine away and said good night to everyone. Aidan asked what kind of pizza she and her mother liked and then called the order in. “I’m having it delivered here and then we’ll just bring it right over,” he said. “I’m guessing we’ll be by in a little over a half hour.”
He was close. About forty-five minutes later, Aidan knocked on the door carrying three big pizzas. Luke was right behind him. And the snow had started. It was coming down lightly but the winds were strong and it would no doubt intensify as the night went on. They stepped inside and handed the pizzas to Riley, who set them on the kitchen table and went looking for some paper plates and napkins.
There was one plain cheese pizza, one pepperoni, and one with sausage, mushrooms, peppers, and onions. They all looked and smelled delicious. Once Aidan and Luke took off their coats and shoes, they joined Riley and her mother in the kitchen and everyone helped themselves. Aidan and Luke both had Cokes and Riley and her mother had water. They took everything into the living room. Aidan and Luke sat on the big comfy sofa, while Riley took the love seat, and her mother sat in her usual chair.
“We could watch a Christmas movie,” her mother suggested. “Have you seen Christmas with the Kranks ? That’s one of my favorites. It’s very funny.”
“Luke hasn’t seen that one. I agree, it is funny. I’d love to watch it,” Aidan said.
Her mother turned the movie on and they started watching while they ate. Riley noticed how good Aidan was with Luke, encouraging him to eat a second slice. He also offered to get more for them. Her mother passed. She was content with the two slices she’d taken. Riley, however, opted for a third and decided to try one of the sausage slices.
She had only seen the movie once and it was years ago. She’d forgotten how funny it was. They all laughed throughout the whole movie. By the time it ended, Luke was almost asleep.
“I should probably get this guy home to bed,” Aidan said. He sounded as though he would have liked to stay longer. And Riley would have liked it, too. Aidan was easy company and it was fun sharing pizza and watching a Christmas movie with him and his son. She tried to imagine doing the same with Jack someday, but the image that came to mind was Riley and their child on the sofa watching the movie together while Jack was in the other room on his computer. She told herself she was just feeling bitter because he’d gone home early. But it didn’t look that bad out. Maybe it was just a little snow and a lot of wind.
“Good night, Aidan, and Luke,” her mother said. “Thank you both for the pizza. Please take the leftovers home with you. Riley and I don’t need all this pizza.”
“Are you sure?” Aidan said.
Riley laughed. “Definitely. Please take it. And thank you. It was delicious.” She combined the leftover pizza into one box and handed it to him. “See you at breakfast, maybe, tomorrow.”
Aidan smiled. “We will definitely see you then.”
She watched them step outside. It was very cold and the snow was falling steadily now. “Drive carefully and watch your step. It might be slippery.”
“Will do. Good night, Riley.”
Riley waited until they were in their car and backing out of the driveway before she closed the door. It wasn’t the night she’d hoped for, but it had still been fun and the company had been good. Before she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts lingered on her cozy evening with Aidan and Luke and for a moment she felt guilty that she was thinking about Aidan instead of Jack. But just for a second or two before she fell fast asleep.