“See that house there?” he asked, pointing to a lovely sprawling residence complete with a sweeping porch and swing that had been built in the Arts and Crafts style and lovingly restored. “That was our summer house.”
“It’s beautiful,” Faith breathed. “Isn’t there a beach down at the end of the street?” she asked, pointing to a wooded cul-de-sac. “What a wonderful neighborhood for kids this must have been.”
“Yeah, the beach is on the other side of those trees. We lived on that beach during the summer. A bunch of the parents on the street conspired to serve dinner at the same time every night so that only one of them had to go down to round us all up for supper,” Ryan said, smiling in memory.
“It’s for sale,” Faith said, pointing at the sign in the yard.
Ryan did a double take and frowned. “Mari and I just sold it to a couple a little over a year ago. They must have had a change of heart.”
A moment later Ryan turned into the driveway of an appealing white-shingled Colonial Revival-style home. He put the car in Park, but instead of getting out, he turned toward her, his intent manner taking her off guard.
“If it bothers you that much, the idea of being single and having the baby—”
He paused, leaving Faith puzzled as to what he was about to say, his gaze fixed out the front windshield. Faith saw a beautiful woman with long dark hair coming down the front steps of the house toward them. She wore an attractive green dress that tied beneath her breasts and above the small roundness of her belly. Her leather lace-up sandals and matching shoulder bag gave her a hip, sophisticated appearance. As she approached the car, Ryan’s sister smiled at Faith through the window. Faith stepped out of the car to greet her.
Within a minute of meeting Mari Kavanaugh, Faith fully recognized how baseless her fears 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 her unsettlement because she gave her a big smile.