Page 55 of Falling for Mr. Wright

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Sarah handed the last of the presents to a sweet bald-headed boy who looked about seven or eight, wearing the cutest snowman sweater. He hugged her tightly and then ran over to meet Mrs. Claus, who was holding a tray full of Christmas sugar cookies.

Her insides warmed at all the merriment around her. Spending the morning with Mrs. Scott, wearing the silly elf hat and passing out gifts at the children’s hospital, had been a much-welcome distraction. It had felt good to take a break from obsessing over her situation with Ryan.

It had also been nice to get to know Mrs. Scott a little more. She’d chatted with Logan’s mom countless times when she’d either called or stopped by the office to see him, but it had never been more than polite conversation. Over the last two hours, Sarah had come to realize his mother had a wonderful sense of humor, loved children, and had a huge heart.

And now she knew what the woman and her husband had done for Ryan, too.

She maneuvered over to a table where the staff had set up lunch for them and waited for Mrs. Scott to join her. Her stomach growled as she stared down at the chicken-salad sandwiches, fruit salad, and tray of cookies.

“Wasn’t that a hoot?” Mrs. Scott finally came over and slid into the seat opposite Sarah.

Sarah nodded, adjusting her elf hat. “I don’t think I’ve had this much fun on a Monday all year. Thank you for letting me be your chief elf today, Mrs. Claus.”

“You’re welcome.” She winked. “You were much more fun to get into character with than my son would have been. I don’t know if you know, but acting isn’t his strong suit.”

Sarah snickered because shedidknow. Logan once had the staff do client-support role-play exercises during one of their professional-development trainings. His playing a pissed-off client had left something to be desired when he’d tried to give Paul a hard time using a thick New Jersey accent that sounded more like a horrible mobster impersonation. “Well, he has other skills,” she offered.

From the raised eyebrow she got from Mrs. Scott in response to that comment, Sarah wished she could reel it back in. She picked up a sandwich and bit down, changing the subject. “Westbrook is lovely.”

“You’ve been to our town?”

“Recently.” Sarah reached for her water and took a sip. “Ryan actually took me to the Westbrook gala. I’m sorry that you and Logan missed the awards ceremony.”

“Itwasdisappointing.” Mrs. Scott laughed bitterly. “Planes and storms certainly don’t mix. We would have much rather been there.”

“You must be so proud of him.”

His mother flashed a warm smile. “I am. His father received the same alumni award when he was around Logan’s age. I was thrilled to hear he was being honored.”

“If it’s a small consolation, Ryan gave a beautiful speech when he accepted the award on Logan’s behalf.”

“I’m sure he did. He’s a special man.” She slid her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Do you know Ryan well?”

Sarah nodded. “I do. We’re office buddies.” She picked up her sandwich. “We have lunch in the cafeteria together almost every day.”

Based on her wide smile, that seemed to amuse Mrs. Scott. “Are you two dating?”

Sarah’s chest tightened.Oh God, she knows I had sex with Ryan.No, it wasn’t possible. It wasn’t like Sarah was sporting a large neon sign advertising that she’d slept with the guy. She set her sandwich down. “Oh, it’s not like that. We’re just friends.”

“He deserves happiness. He’s always looked out for my son.”

Her insides warmed at Mrs. Scott’s declaration that Ryan deserved happiness. Ryan did deserve the best. He was the kind, decent, protective man that looked after the people in his life.

Was she one of them? She took a sip of her drink. Ryan had revealed on their way up to Westbrook how Logan had shown him and his sister kindness. She wanted to know the other side of it. “I take it Ryan and Logan were pretty close growing up.”

“Inseparable.” Mrs. Scott reached for a sugar cookie. “Logan was a bit awkward as a child. He was picked on by all the other kids. His father and I had countless meetings with the school’s headmaster.”

She nibbled on her cookie and continued, “He and Ryan were already best friends, but when the teasing started, Ryan really took my son under his wing, making sure he wasn’t getting his lunch stolen or being shoved into his locker.”

“I’m so sorry.” Sarah’s heart melted at the image of a young Ryan looking out for his best friend in the Westbrook Academy halls.

“Kids can be so cruel at that age. We were blessed when Ryan and his mother and sister came into our lives, in more ways than one.” She took off her glasses, eyes misty. “Ryan’s always putting others ahead of himself. Have you met his sister?”

“Bridget? Yes, but only briefly.” Sarah’s cheeks heated at the memory of Bridget walking in on her and Ryan. “She sends Ryan to work with all kinds of desserts.”

“Have you tried her strawberry lemon bars?”

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