Healing Hearts (New Hope Falls #6) - Kimberly Rae Jordan Page 0,138
two children stood. “Jonah is my nephew, and Emery is my niece.”
Sophia didn’t know how much Ryker had told his family about Bryson, but she figured he must have told them something since they weren’t rushing to invade Bryson’s space in order to meet him. Ryker went on to introduce his brother, Silas, his sister-in-law, Donna, and of course, Callie.
“Why don’t we sit down?” Valerie suggested as she gestured to the table.
She directed people to their seats, and when all was said and done, Sophia was seated next to Valerie, who was at the end of the table. Bryson was sandwiched between her and Ryker. Donna and the two kids were seated across from them. Silas and Callie were at the other end of the table with their dad.
After Robert said a prayer for the meal, Valerie and Donna got up and left the dining room, returning a few minutes later with a couple of large platters with pizza on them.
“Ryker said you liked cheese pizza, Bryson,” Valerie said as she handed the platter to Sophia. “And Sophia, if you prefer something other than pizza, we have some non-pizza dishes as well.”
“Daddy doesn’t like pizza,” Emery volunteered.
“And that’s why we have other food for him,” Valerie added.
“I’m not going to apologize for not liking pizza,” Silas said.
“Just means more for us,” Jonah said. “Right, Em?”
Emery nodded so vigorously that it set her curls dancing. “Lots of pizza for us.”
As the meal progressed, Sophia felt the knot of tension she’d been carrying slowly unravel. The conversation was light, with Valerie and Donna doing most of the talking as if understanding that Sophia still wasn’t entirely at ease.
Ryker checked in with her frequently, often reaching behind Bryson to rub her shoulder. Each time he did that, she would look over to find him gazing at her with so much love that she thought her heart was going to burst out of her chest.
After one such exchange, Sophia happened to glance over at Valerie. The older woman was watching them with an expression that could only be described as affectionate.
Valerie set her hand on Sophia’s arm. “I’m so pleased that Ryker brought you and Bryson here today. I’ve been anxious to meet the woman he loves.”
Heat swept up into her cheeks at the woman’s words, and she wasn’t sure what to say.
Thankfully, Ryker saved her from having to respond. “Mom! Don’t you think she should have heard that from me first?”
“What?” Valerie’s eyes widened as she glanced between them. “I..uh…”
After a moment of stunned silence around the table, Sophia couldn’t hold back a giggle.
“Oh, you,” Valerie said with an exasperated look and a wave of her hand at Ryker. “For that, I don’t think you should get any cake. I’m going to give your piece to Bryson.”
“I get two pieces of cake?” Bryson asked, a hopeful lilt to his voice.
“I think I might cry if I don’t get some cake,” Ryker said, a frown tugging down the corners of his mouth.
“Then maybe you should have thought twice before giving your mother a heart attack,” Valerie huffed.
Bryson got up on his knees on his chair and patted Ryker’s cheek. “Don’t cry, Ryker. I’ll share with you.”
“Thanks, buddy. I love you.”
As Sophia watched, her son cupped Ryker’s other cheek and said, “I love you, too.”
Emotion swelled inside her, and she knew that if her son could willingly give his love to this man, she could too.
“Oh, my,” Valerie whispered as Ryker gathered Bryson in his arms. “My heart is full to bursting.”
Sophia knew exactly how she felt.
As she glanced around the table, Sophia could see that she and Valerie weren’t the only ones moved by Ryker and Bryson’s exchange. Silas and his dad were smiling broadly, as was Donna. The kids were grinning, although they didn’t seem to understand the significance of what had just happened.
The only person she couldn’t see was Callie, who sat on the other side of Ryker, and Sophia found she was okay with that. Since she couldn’t trust that the woman would be as happy about what was going on, Sophia didn’t want to have the moment ruined.
“Do you want to help me put the candles on the cake, Emery?” Valerie asked.
“Yes!” The little girl scrambled off her chair while Donna got up and began to clear off the table.
Sophia also got to her feet and gathered up the paper plates they’d used.
“You don’t have to do that,” Valerie said when Sophia followed Donna into the spacious kitchen.