Lib Novel Page 65
On the radio, the weatherman brought up the potential storm hourly.
Though she was trying hard to be more laid-back, Cora’s nerves finally got to her and she decided to call Ginny to tell her not to come after all. They could just reschedule the date and they could all still get together on Christmas if this storm turned out to be nothing.
But there was no answer.
And when she texted Jared to tell him not to come after all, his response was very short.
Jared
I’m already here.
Sure enough, there was a familiar knock on the door a moment later, and Sylvester shot out of his chair to open it.
“Rocky,” Jared cried as Sylvester wrapped his arms around the big cowboy’s waist and Jared hugged him back, looking very pleased.
Cora smiled at the two of them and inwardly wondered how she was supposed to greet him. But by the time the two had finished greeting each other, Ginny was coming in and Sebastian was busy hugging her.
Jared kicked off his muddy boots by the door, and then handed Cora a plate wrapped in tin foil, eliminating the awkwardness of deciding how to say hello.
“My mom sent some of her famous oatmeal cookies,” he said. “She’s hoping you and Sylvester will come to the house tomorrow, if it doesn’t interfere with your own traditions.”
“Thank you,” Cora said, taking the plate, which was fragrant with the sweet scent of cinnamon. “I’m sure Sylvester would love that, but I’m a little worried about the storm.”
“I know you’re used to living in the city,” Jared said kindly. “But as long as it stops by morning, I’ll be able to get you to our place on Christmas. Out here we’re prepared for a little snow and ice.”
After that, everyone talked and laughed. Cora and Sylvester prepared hot chocolate while Ginny and Jared discussed methods for making homemade Christmas tree ornaments. Then everyone enjoyed cookies and cocoa as Sylvester told them about the holiday projects they had done at school.
When Ginny got up to take her mug to the kitchen, she paused at the window.
“Oh, dear,” she said softly. “I don’t like the idea of driving in that.”
Cora hopped up to join her and saw what had Ginny worried. Icy droplets already shimmered in the moonlight.
“Sylvester has been dying for you to have a sleepover, Ginny,” Cora said right away. “And we have our guest room all fixed up. Sylvester even picked out pretty bedding just for you.”
“Can I show you, Grandma?” Sylvester squeaked, hopping up from the sofa. “Wait until you see it. It has little blue flowers just like the plates at your house.”
“Goodness,” Ginny said, looking surprised and relieved at the same time. “I’d love to see it.”
The two of them trundled up the stairs and Cora watched after them, glad they could offer Ginny a way to stay.
“I guess you probably don’t want to go out in this,” Jared said, joining her by the window. “Hopefully, it’ll slow down soon. Doesn’t look like it’s sticking to the road yet.”
“If you want to try and get home now, I don’t mind at all,” Cora said. “We can always reschedule our date.”
“We have an idea,” Ginny called out on her way down the stairs. “Sylvester is going to tell you all about it.”
“We don’t want you to go out in an ice storm,” Sylvester announced excitedly on his way down the stairs. “So you can have your date here.”
“What do you mean?” Cora asked.
“We’re going to cook a fancy meal for you,” Sylvester said.
“With whatever ingredients are in the house,” Ginny added, winking to Cora over the top of Sylvester’s head.
“And you can watch a movie on the couch,” Sylvester said, pointing to the television.
“Oh, I still have Rocky in my truck,” Jared said. “We can all watch it together.”