Chapter 20

“She wants me and Ricky to eat Christmas dinner with you?”

I nodded.

“Why?”

“Because I told her neither of you had family in the area and weren’t going to have anyone to eat with.”

“But I have my aunt.”

“You sure?”

He blushed. “No. She’s going on a cruise.”

“So you’re eating with me and Mom. Beth and Kate are doing their own vegetarian thing, then they’ll be over afterward.”

Now he looked like a little boy who’d been promised a visit by Santa. “Thank you.”

I laughed. “Well, I think I’d save my thanks until after the meal. My mom doesn’t cook nearly as well as you do.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He sighed and leaned toward me.

I gave him a kiss, which rapidly turned from sweet to rowdy. We broke apart when the sheriff opened the bedroom door, his back to us. After a moment, he turned.

“Okay, I think he’ll be fine for the night. He said he’d be over at the office in the morning to file a complaint.” Lloyd glared at John. “He said you might be opposed. See that he’s there.”