Free Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws Page B

dear,” said Thomas.
    “He’s probably organizing some tool or supply down in the store,” said Victoria.
    “I’ll get him, Mom, and meet you over at church,” said Ryan.
    He grabbed his jacket and headed downstairs. “Keith? You down here?”
    “Right here. Just straightening up these paintbrushes.”
    “Want to walk over to church with me?”
    “Sure. I’ll get my coat.”
    The two boys headed out the door and down the sidewalk two blocks to the church building. The day was unseasonably warm for the last few days of January in Oregon, and the sun shone brightly on Ryan’s back.
    “So, do you think you and Brittney will be the next to get married?” asked Keith casually.
    The question snapped Ryan out of his thoughts. “What? Why would you ask a crazy question like that?”
    Keith shrugged. “Just wondering. You look at her different from the way you look at all the other women.”
    “I do, huh?” Ryan considered this for a minute. She is nice to look at.
    “You’re smiling,” said Keith.
    “You’re annoying this morning.” Ryan reached over and messed up Keith’s hair.
    Keith laughed as he pulled away. He moved back to walk beside Ryan, straightening his hair. “If you do, does that mean you’ll move to Portland?”
    Ryan shook his head ruefully. “Not that I’m admitting to anything, but would you like that?”
    “It’s closer than McWilliam.”
    “True.”
    “I’d rather have you here with us.”
    Ryan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. But you’ll be one of the first to know when I figure it out.”

    Sitting behind Brittney during church proved distracting. Ryan had to keep refocusing on the service, and he kept glancing over at Keith to see the boy smiling at him like he knew exactly what Ryan was thinking. The boy’s too smug for sixteen!
    The service ended, and Ryan stood as Brittney turned to pick up her purse and Bible. Dark circles are beginning to form under her eyes. “How’d you sleep?”
    “Okay,” said Brittney.
    “Liar,” said Ryan, smiling to soften the effect.
    “Yeah, well. I’m a liar. You’re a chicken.” Her eyes twinkled in response, almost like she was daring him to challenge her.
    “When are you heading home?” said Ryan, redirecting the conversation back to safer ground.
    “Later this afternoon. I have to be back at work on Tuesday, and I’d like to get some things done at home first. What are you going to do?”
    “I think I’ll check out a couple places in Portland before heading back to McWilliam.”
    “Excuse me.” Ryan’s mom couldn’t have missed what Ryan had just said. Ryan and Brittney both looked at her. “Do you have plans this afternoon, Ryan?”
    “At some point I need to head into Portland, Mom, but the time doesn’t matter too much. Why?”
    “Well, Faye and I were just talking,” said Victoria, gesturing toward where Faye stood. “Brittney, why don’t you and your parents join us for lunch? It’s nothing fancy, but I’d be pleased if you’d come.”
    Ryan looked at his mom suspiciously for a moment. Is she pushing us together?
    “Your Dad and I are going to run home first,” Faye told Brittney. “I want to change clothes and grab some of the leftovers from the wedding.”
    “Sounds good,” said Brittney. “I’ll ride along and change too.”
    “Yes!” said Keith with a fist pump.
    Ryan elbowed him in the chest, sending him flying back onto the pew.
    “Ow!” said Keith. He broke out in giggles as he stood back up and rubbed his chest.
    “Ryan!” Victoria scolded.
    “Don’t ask, Mom,” said Ryan.
    Brittney looked from Keith to Ryan, smiling as she turned to follow Faye out the door.

Chapter 14
    BRITTNEY THREW ON HER WHITE cashmere sweater and a comfy pair of jeans before packing her skirt into the suitcase. Taking one final look around the room, she zipped it up and carried it downstairs. Faye walked out from her bedroom just as Brittney reached the