Ryan's Crossing Read Free Page A

forest. The windows shone brightly in the dimming light, and smoke curled out of the chimney. He turned off his engine and watched Sassy bound out of Peter’s Jeep and into the garage with Keith right behind. He feels at home here.
    Peter, Thomas, and Victoria followed Keith, but Amber stood waiting for him. “Ready to meet the in-laws?”
    He smiled at her. “You’re the one marrying into the family. I’m just tagging along for a bit. I can always leave if they’re crazy.”
    She laughed. “They’re definitely crazy. But in a good way. Consider yourself forewarned: Peter and his siblings are pranksters, taught by their grandfather.” She turned to lead the way into the house.
    “Does everyone still live in Crossing?”
    “No, most of them live near Portland, but they come down a lot. His sister, Brittney, took off most of next week for the wedding, so you should meet her in a few days. Pops, the grandfather, normally travels down with her when she comes.”
    Amber opened the door into the mudroom, stomping her boots on the welcome mat. “You can hang your coat wherever you see space. And just put your boots on any of these shelves. Frank has a drain under this floor, so as the snow melts off of them, the water just drains back into the yard.”
    “Nice.”
    Sassy popped her head through the dog door and barked.
    “We’re coming, Sass.”
    Amber turned the knob and led Ryan into a casual dining area with French doors leading to a deck. His mom sat at a breakfast bar overlooking a spacious kitchen with his dad standing behind her. An older blonde woman hovered near the sink. Five foot four, 160 pounds, mid-fifties. If the Pillsbury Doughboy were female…. Ryan grinned at his assessment.
    Both women turned to smile at them.
    “You must be Ryan,” said Faye. “Let me dry my hands.”
    She wiped her hands on a towel and came over to greet him. “It’s so nice to finally have your whole family together.” She gave Ryan a hug before wrapping an arm around Amber.
    “Yes, ma’am,” said Ryan. “You have a beautiful home.”
    “Why thank you, dear. How long do you get to stay?”
    “A while.”
    Ryan caught his dad’s quick glance in his direction.
    “He needs a place to stay for a couple days while Mom and Dad get another room at Micah’s cleaned out,” said Amber. “I told him we had room here.”
    “Oh, absolutely,” said Faye with a nod. “It’s Peter’s old room, and truthfully it’s not completely cleaned out yet. He’s taken most of his stuff to his new house, but he’s not been gone that long, and I just haven’t taken the time to clean it out properly. You are welcome to it if you’d like, though.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Don’t let these women-folk push you into anything, young man.”
    An older man walked into the kitchen. Just a bit taller than me, so five foot ten? His skin looks like he’s used to working outside in the sun, and he’s got some extra weight in the middle. What was the name of that ‘70s TV dad with all the kids where everyone said good night to everyone else?
    The man continued. “Sure enough, if you let them talk you into staying here, they’ll fill you with good food all hours of the day and night. But this sister of yours’ll roast you out of the living room stoking up the fire, and my wife’ll have you tying up little satchels of good-smelling stuff for the wedding.”
    “Oh, Frank, really,” said Faye, giggling.
    Ryan watched his sister’s smile grow. She’s happy here.
    “I’m Frank, by the way. Peter’s dad.” Frank extended his hand to Ryan.
    “Nice to meet you, sir.”
    “So, when are y’all going to stop yammering around here and feed us?” said Frank to the women. “Lunch was a long time ago!”
    “Just give us five more minutes,” said Faye. “Amber, you go on in and show Ryan around while Victoria and I finish up the salad so we can eat.”
    Amber led Ryan into the living room where Keith and Peter sat over a