“Apparently so,” Savannah said, nodding her head toward the cookie tables. “There’s a cute little blonde girl about his age talking to him.”
A few minutes later the two teenagers came over. “Uncle Harlan, is it okay with you if Becca and I go down to the square? We’ve both got Christmas shopping to do,” he explained virtuously.
“Sure. But don’t you think you should introduce your friend?”
“Sorry, forgot. This is Becca Kingsley. Becca, this is my uncle, Harlan Sullivan and Ms...uh, Ms...”
“Savannah will do,” she said, coming to his rescue. “Hi, Becca. Are you enjoying the Christmas activities?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After arranging a time and place to meet up with Harlan later, the two teenagers left. Gazing after them, Harlan shook his head and said, “I should have known when he suggested going to the park that he had an ulterior motive. I mean, the kid is fourteen. I couldn’t figure out what he wanted to do down here during the day. It’s not like he’d want to go see Santa.”
Savannah laughed at that. “Probably not. He’s very cute.”
“He’s a good kid. Makes good grades, plays sports, and so far doesn’t seem to be a troublemaker.”
“You’re very fond of him, aren’t you?”
“I love the kid. I’ve known him since he was a baby.”
Surely he couldn’t talk so easily about the boy if he was his own son. A son he couldn’t claim.
“I know Judy went to school in Whiskey River but I don’t remember Jasper going to school here. You were friends with both of them?”
“No, I knew Judy. She and Laurel are friends. Jasper didn’t move here until Alan was a couple of years old.”
“Oh, so he’s not—” She broke off, realizing she was getting into iffy territory.
“No, Jasper isn’t Alan’s natural father. Jasper adopted Alan after he and Judy married.”
Savannah forced a laugh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosy. I was just curious about the family since you seem to be so close.”
Harlan seemed about to say something but Rachel came up just then and the moment was lost.
“What’s wrong, Rachel?” Savannah asked.
“Nothing. You’d better get going.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s wrong.”
Rachel huffed out a sigh. “Polly was supposed to help me for the rest of the day, but she’s going to be delayed for an hour or so. But it’s all right. I can handle it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll stay.” Polly Wilson was Rachel’s new clerk at the store. Savannah knew Rachel would have a hard time running the decorating booth without her. She turned to Harlan. “I’ll see you later, okay? I need to help Rachel.”
“I can help too. I’m not doing anything until I meet back up with Alan.”
Before Rachel could speak, Savannah said, “No, we’ll be fine. We don’t need any more help, do we, Rachel?”
“Apparently not,” Rachel said dryly.
Harlan looked mystified and left shortly after that, but not before giving Savannah a look that clearly said they’d talk about this later.
“All right, Savannah,” Rachel said after he’d gone. “What the heck is going on?”
“Nothing.”
Rachel gave her a disbelieving look.
