Ryan's Crossing Read Online Free PDF Page A

talk about the wedding happening in just six days. Yes, he was glad to have his sister back in his life. Yes, he was excited for her to be marrying Peter. Really, how else do these people expect me to answer these questions? Of course I’m happy for her, but I don’t really know Peter or his family.
    Finally Peter politely excused them and led Amber and Ryan down the aisle and outside the church.
    “Is the whole town invited to the wedding?” asked Ryan, slipping his arms into his coat.
    Amber giggled. “Seems like it.”
    “I believe Mom did invite everyone at church,” Peter said almost apologetically.
    “And our mother has been inviting everyone who walks into the hardware store for the last three weeks.” Humor sparkled in Amber’s eyes.
    “Awesome.” Ryan’s voice sounded strained. He tugged his tie loose before zipping up his coat.
    “My thoughts exactly,” said Peter.
    Amber looked from her future husband to her brother as she snuggled further into her coat. “You two.” She rolled her eyes. “At least you won’t be the one in a dress!”
    “And that’s a good thing, my Ray,” said Peter.
    “By the way, who is Mrs. Guire?” asked Ryan.
    “Why?” said Amber. “Where’d you meet her?”
    “Inside. She was asking me all about my car. Some of the questions I’m used to, like what year it is. But other questions were strange.”
    “Like what?” Peter asked.
    “She asked me if I’d upgraded the steering to rack and pinion! How many old ladies ask that question?”
    Amber laughed. “That makes sense.”
    “Yeah,” said Peter. “You have to know her. Some places have a town drunk or town black sheep. We have a town hot-rodder. And it’s not any of the teenage boys.”
    “Her?” said Ryan. “You’ve got to be kidding me! She’s got to be sixty years old.”
    “Yep,” said Amber, nodding. “Sixty-three and a constant blip on Sheriff Daniel’s radar. Plus she owns the small garage in town. Worked around cars all her life from what I can tell.”
    Ryan shook his head. Sixty-three. Probably not five feet tall stretched out or one hundred pounds fully dressed. That woman must have a great story. What old woman asks about a gearbox?
    “Wasn’t that a nice service?” said Thomas, walking up behind his daughter and putting an arm around her shoulders.
    “Do you have plans for lunch?” Victoria had arrived behind Thomas and was now looking at Ryan.
    “I’m open to whatever,” said Ryan.
    Amber reached out to touch her mother’s arm. “Logan and Heather will be coming down later today, Mom. Want to come over?”
    “Logan and Heather?” said Ryan.
    “Peter’s older brother and his wife,” Amber explained.
    “Oh good, Amber dear,” said Faye, joining the small group. “I’m glad you invited everyone. I would have called you, Victoria, but Logan didn’t let us know until this morning. He said they would be here around 3:00 and will spend the night with Peter. You are welcome to come over whenever you’d like. Tomorrow too. We’ll be going over all the lists to make sure everything is planned for.”
    “Dinner sounds wonderful,” said Thomas. “But I think I’ll skip the lists.”
    “Can we bring anything?” said Victoria.
    “I think I’ll skip the lists with you,” said Peter with a wink at his soon-to-be father-in-law.
    “To keep things simple,” said Faye, “I think I’ll just make some ham and potato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.”
    “Can I skip the lists?” said Amber with a mischievous grin.
    “How about I bring some brownies?” said Victoria, ignoring the silliness around her.
    “I know I’m skipping the lists,” said Ryan.
    “Perfect!” said Faye. “The girls will love that!”
    “Girls?” said Ryan.
    “My brother has three girls,” Peter explained. “A four-year old, two-year old, and an infant.”
    Ryan nodded his head. It doesn’t sound like the afternoon will be peaceful. Maybe it would be a good afternoon to head to