Ryan's Crossing Read Free

check, he reminded himself. “Always do, Dad, but not always because of the snow. People also tend to do more social and emotional drinking around Christmas and New Year’s.”
    As they approached Micah’s, a dark grey Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in front of the store. Ryan watched a man just a couple inches taller than himself get out. He’s 165-170 pounds, late twenties. Muscular, maybe athletic.
    “Peter!” said Amber.
    Ryan watched as his sister ran over and waited for him at the edge of the snow berm.
    “Hey, my beautiful Ray,” said Peter. He took both Amber’s hands in his, kissing the top of one mitten-covered hand.
    “Come meet Ryan,” said Amber.
    Peter wrapped his left arm around Amber’s shoulder and turned to greet the others.
    So this is the man who finally trapped my sister in one place.
    “Ryan, this is Peter.”
    Peter extended his hand to Ryan. “Nice to finally meet you.”
    “Thanks,” said Ryan.
    “Did you drive up in that?” said Peter, motioning to the Mustang.
    “Yeah.”
    Peter left Amber’s side to look more closely at the car, whistling in appreciation. “She’s incredible.”
    “Thanks. It’s a bit of a hobby.”
    “Do you prefer doing body work, or more the mechanics of it?” said Peter.
    “Definitely mechanics. I looked around for a while until I found one with a decent body so I wouldn’t have to do too much to it.”
    “Does she give you much trouble in the snow?”
    “She doesn’t really like the fresh stuff, but packed down isn’t too bad. I keep good 245s on the back wheels and replace them with studless winter tires when the snow hits.”
    Peter looked in the driver’s window. “Stick shift! Nice!”
    “Yeah, I bought it as an automatic but changed it out to a five-speed.”
    “Really nice,” said Peter. “I’ve always liked the running pony’s interior.”
    Amber stepped up to Peter’s side and touched his arm. “I was going to call your mom to see if she minded guests for dinner.”
    “Actually, that’s part of my errand to come get you. When I left the office, Mom asked me to swing by here and see if everyone wanted to come out tonight. It’s Mexican night, and she said she’d made far too much of the chicken mixture to make only one pan of enchiladas.”
    “Wonderful,” said Thomas.
    Ryan laughed at his dad. “She must be a good cook.”
    “The best,” said Thomas. “Next to your mother, of course.”
    “She really is very good,” said Amber.
    “Are you sure it’s not too much?” said Victoria.
    “You have to stop worrying so much, Vic,” said Thomas.
    “Mom wouldn’t ask if she didn’t mean it,” said Peter. “And she said to tell you that she already has dessert waiting to go in the oven.”
    “What more do we need to know?” said Thomas, looking at the others.
    Victoria laughed. “All right. Let me get Keith before your stomach leaves us all standing here!”

Chapter 3
    RYAN TOOK UP THE REAR position of the caravan as they followed Peter to his parents’ home. His mind was reeling with the bits of information he’d already gleaned from the short time he’d had with his family.
    The family looks great! I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen Mom so lively. And Dad has a bounce in his step. He didn’t look nearly as tired as usual, and he actually ran up the steps to put his laptop away. I can’t remember the last time he willingly put that computer down. He’s always either writing a story or researching for hints of Rachel.
    Keith clearly liked Peter. He thought for sure the boy would choose to ride with him in the Mustang, but he hopped in Peter’s Jeep. What was it he said? I need to ride with Amber. Interesting statement. What is he—their chaperone or something? Maybe I’ve stepped into a time warp.
    Ryan pulled into the driveway and took his first good look at where his sister had been living the last couple of months. The beautiful log cabin sat peacefully on a small clearing surrounded by the