Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,86
going to say. Not really. She’d never had a man in her life before—not like this.
She was going to have to think it all through, but not now, she told herself.
“Oh, and thank you for helping my dad with the baby shower,” Joylyn added, drawing Wynn back to the present.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Joylyn glanced at her. “I know there isn’t much time to pull everything together. Don’t worry about everything not being perfect. I’m just happy to have one. Oh, my college friends are all coming.” She wrinkled her nose. “They’re sorry about what happened the last time they visited and swear this will be different.”
“We’re not serving alcohol at the party, if that helps.”
Joylyn grinned. “I think it might.”
“I love your theme. Winnie the Pooh is perfect, and the colors will be so pretty in the baby’s room. Plus little Howard won’t need a change in decor for several years.”
“Howard! We’re not calling the baby Howard.”
“You won’t tell me what names are on the list, so I’m guessing.”
Joylyn laughed. “Howard is not on the list.”
“It’s a perfectly respectable name.”
“Still not using it.”
Wynn grinned at her, thinking the happy young woman sitting next to her was so different from the one who had arrived a few short weeks ago.
They parked by the Willow Gallery and got out.
“This is beautiful,” Joylyn said, taking the grocery bag.
“Natalie used to be the office manager here, along with one of their artists. Now she’s doing well enough that she can focus exclusively on her art. The gallery also shows work by the Mitchell brothers. Ronan is Natalie’s husband. Pallas is married to Nick, and Carol is married to Mathias. You met Silver and Drew at Thanksgiving.”
“I did.”
They walked into the gallery. Everyone else was already there. Wynn made introductions.
“We finally get to meet,” Pallas said. “Renee’s told me all about Holly’s wedding. I’m so excited. Everything is coming together.”
“Thanks to Renee and the town,” Joylyn said happily. “Holly is still stunned by everyone’s generosity. I am, too.”
“It’s fun for us,” Pallas said.
Joylyn nodded, then sniffed. “I’m trying not to cry at everything, but it’s hard. Thank you again.”
Wynn gave her a hug. “No thanks required. Think of the wedding as our way of really celebrating the season. We’re excited to help Holly with her wedding, and we’re happy to have you here with us today.”
* * *
JOYLYN STOOD IN line with everyone else to fill her plate for lunch. The big table in the center of the gallery was covered with a festive holiday tablecloth. In addition to the enchiladas, bean dip and chips, there were two green salads, a fruit salad and Christmas cookies. Holiday music played in the background.
All the women were so welcoming, she thought. Her friends were nice, but she wasn’t sure they would have been so gracious to someone they didn’t really know.
“How’s it going with Hunter?” Carol asked Wynn as they served each other enchiladas.
“Okay. I think he understands the gravity of what he did. As soon as school’s out, he’s going to get started on the deck.”
“He’ll be a busy guy,” Carol said. “He’s been in touch with me about helping at the animal preserve.”
“Make sure he does the grunt work,” Wynn said. “It’s not supposed to be fun.”
“He’ll be cleaning out the barns every morning for a week,” Carol told her. “And on weekends until he gets his hours in.” She smiled. “It’s a lot of poop to deal with. I doubt he’ll think it’s fun.”
Everyone laughed and headed for their seats. Joylyn found herself sitting between Renee and Natalie.
“In the end, Hunter did the right thing,” Pallas said. “That has to make you happy.”
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Wynn admitted. “We’ll see what happens over the holiday break.”
“Do you think he’s going to apply to JROTC again?” Bethany asked.
“I hope so, but that’s up to him.”
Joylyn thought Wynn had handled the situation with her son really well. She wasn’t sure she could have gotten over being mad to act so responsibly. She rested her hand on her belly as she reminded herself that in a few short weeks, she was going to be a parent. At least she wouldn’t be alone—Chandler would be with her. They would figure it out together.
Conversation shifted to what was going on in each of their lives. Bethany was still wondering what her parents were going to do over Christmas.
“Like Wynn, I’m cautiously optimistic,” she said with a laugh. “I think we have a good chance of getting through Christmas without