A Newport Christmas Wedding Read Free Page A

mature, we would have realized it earlier.” He tugged a piece of her hair that had grown below her ears in the last few months. “But if we had, I wouldn’t have you and Lucas. And if you’re worried that the same thing will happen when Meri and I are married, don’t be. We’ve known each other a long time.”
    â€œSince she was a baby.”
    â€œYep. We’ve pretty much got the kinks worked out.”
    He reached for a pen. “Now let me get back to work. Mrs. Miller has been threatening all week to throw me out so she can start preparing the room for the reception. I don’t dare stop. She might just move me out while I’m not looking.” He made a funny face that made Nora laugh.
    It was going to be okay. It was. It had to be.
    M ERI OP ENED THE oven door and took a deep breath. “The chicken smells wonderful and done. Shall I take it out?”
    â€œYes, and then you’d better call over to the other house and make sure Alden isn’t lost in his work and has forgotten the time.”
    â€œYou know, between Mrs. Miller and Nora he’s been on time almost always.”
    â€œI know.” Gran slid the cutting board onto the counter near the stove. “But he’s been distracted lately.”
    â€œWe’ve all got a lot on our minds,” Meri said. She picked a little piece of skin from the chicken and popped it into her mouth.
    Gran shook her finger at her just as the back door opened and a rush of cold air burst into the kitchen. There was some stomping and rustling out in the mudroom and Alden and Nora came into the kitchen. Alden kissed Gran’s cheek and handed her a bottle of wine.
    Gran laughed. “You’re a bad influence on me, Alden Corrigan.”
    He smiled and moved to Meri.
    Meri’s heart did a little flip, as it always did when he walked into the room. Tall and dark, thin but fit, black hair that curled slightly and touched his collar. Tonight he was wearing a black chamois shirt and black jeans.
    â€œJust in time to carve,” Meri said before he wrapped her in a hug and kissed her.
    She wriggled out of the way. She still hadn’t quite gotten used to kissing Alden in front of Gran.
    And every time she reacted that way, Gran shook her head and rolled her eyes. Meri guessed she would get used to it. Alden had been her best friend ever since she could remember. He’d been there at her birth. They’d run the gambit of relationships, big brother to her little sister, brat to his teenager, mentor to her student, babysitter to his children, but always there was a bond between them. It took Meri longer to realize how deep it went and what kind of future they could have together.
    Gobsmacked. That’s what she’d been the day last spring when out of the blue she realized she didn’t want to marry her almost fiancé, but wanted to be Alden’s wife. She still sometimes marveled at how things had happened.
    Meri handed him the carving knife.
    He laughed at her with his eyes while looking totally serious. He always suckered her with that expression. She gave him a longer kiss.
    â€œBetter,” he whispered.
    â€œYes, that’s all well and good,” Gran said. “But some of us are hungry.” She poked Nora, who instead of laughing, jumped.
    â€œMeri, strain the beans while I mash the potatoes. Nora, you want to get the ice water out of the fridge and pour?” Gran lifted the wine bottle. “I’ll just get the corkscrew.”
    â€œYou’ve created a monster,” Meri told Alden under her breath.
    â€œYes, we have wild drunken orgies while you’re slaving away in town. At least a glass each with dinner.”
    He considered the chicken, speared it with a poultry fork and began to carve.
    Meri transferred the beans to a bowl and put them on the table, then eased the serving bowl between the bread basket and the salt and pepper shakers. “Nora, could you