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chuckle.
    “Oh, Michael,
knock it off.  Hi, sweetie,” she said as she turned to Jeremy.  “I
haven’t had a chance to hug you yet tonight.” Mrs. Callahan leaned in to give
him a squeeze and a kiss.
    Jeremy hugged
her back, then looked at his uncle.  “Yes, I just spoke with Robbie, and
he explained the connection.  And Uncle Mike, your protectiveness toward
Mrs. Thornton’s virtue is certainly noble, but completely unnecessary. 
She is, after all, a married woman and safe from my charms,” he said
dryly.  “Where is your husband, Mrs. Thornton?  Is he here with you
tonight?  I believe you were looking for him earlier,” he said
pointedly. 
    Mrs. Callahan
gasped quietly, while she and her husband turned toward Ryann for her
response.  At that moment, all of the previous conversations she’d had
with Jeremy started to click into place.   Robbie had referred to her
as Mrs. T when he had come over to them.  Is that why Jeremy walked away? 
Because he thought she was married?  Or maybe he just wasn’t
interested.  See?  This is why she hated dating.  Too much
thinking involved.  She was exhausted already.
    More thoughts
clicked into place, and she felt a little dizzy.  That meant that Robbie
was his cousin…and that his other cousin was the caterer. 
    The big jerk had
been toying with her all evening.  She internally shook her head.
    Mr. Callahan was
right.  She needed to stay far away from him.
    All of these
thoughts ran through her head in three seconds.  She mentally shook
herself, and became aware that everyone was looking to her for a response to
Jeremy’s question.
    She cleared her
throat and looked at Jeremy, who had an expectant and confused look on his
face.  It was obvious he didn’t understand why his aunt had reacted the
way she did.  “My husband passed away a couple of years ago, Mr.
McCallister.”     
    Jeremy looked at
her, with surprise.  His expression then shifted to one of… relief? 
Then his eyes warmed with compassion, and he said kindly, “I’m so sorry,
Ryann.  I didn’t know.  I only assumed… and I see now that I
shouldn’t have.”
    “It was a
natural assumption given how I was introduced.”  She smiled at him,
wanting to ease his discomfort, and remove the air of awkwardness that was now
hovering around the group.   
    After a moment
of everyone looking at each other, Mr. and Mrs. Callahan continued looking at
her sympathetically.   She didn’t want pity.  She understood
people didn’t know what to say, but she hated the look they were giving
her.  She put her hand on Mrs. Callahan’s arm, and gave her a reassuring
smile.
    With a look of
relief, Mrs. Callahan finally got her bearings, and looked at Jem.  “Well,
as your uncle was saying, we were off to find your mom.  Mrs. Thornton,
uhh, Ryann, umm… I’m sorry, Mrs. Thornton.  Do you still go by Mrs.
Thornton?  I’m sorry, this is so awkward,” she stammered.  “I’m
always so used to referring to you as Mrs. Thornton.  How should I
- ”
    Ryann
interrupted.  “Please.  Call me Ryann.  I think under the
circumstances, it might be easier.  After all, I’m no longer Robbie’s
teacher, so there’s no need for the formality anymore.”
    “Fine. 
Ryann it is,” Mrs. Callahan smiled, glad that the matter was settled.  “So
as I was saying, Jem, we were just about to find your mother to introduce her
to Ryann.  Ryann is a big fan and would love to meet her!” Mrs. Callahan
put her arm around Ryann and gave her a squeeze.  “Let’s go see if we can
find her.” 
    They left their
empty glasses on the small table near where they were standing, and turned to
go in search of Tabitha Lowe, when Jeremy interrupted.
    “I’ll take Ryann
to meet her.  In fact, it would be my pleasure.  I just saw where she
was a few moments ago, and I haven’t yet had a chance to talk to her
either.  Ryann?” He offered his hand, and without waiting, took hers and
brought it