Call Me Wild (26 page)

Hunter looked around. “Everyone ready?”

Mom stopped at the door as Hunter grabbed his key. “At least knock first.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want to give the burglar a fright,” Hunter snapped, and both Mom and Toni smacked him on the head.

Hunter knocked twice and unlocked the door. The whole family swarmed in.

***

Jessie called Fisher, trying to get him back, but it wasn’t her voice she was hearing. “Fisher Michael Kincaid.”

She opened her eyes. God, it was happening again. It wasn’t a dream.

The door to the bedroom slammed open, and she jumped.

“We’re staging an intervention.”

Crap. That was Hunter—damn him, and his twin thing.

“Don’t tell me that body next to Fisher’s is Jessie’s. I know for a fact she went back home to Long Island.”

Jessie could swear she heard the sound of pictures being snapped. And her clothes were strewn all over the floor.

“Karma, put that camera down.”

Kate was there? In the bedroom? Could this get any more embarrassing?

“If it’s a guy under that sheet, I sure hope he can play baseball as well as Jessie.”

Oh God no, not Trapper too.

Grampa Joe laughed. “Well, if it is a man under that sheet with Fisher, he wears a bra.”

Fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck. Her face flamed so hot, she was surprised the sheet wasn’t smoldering. Jessie made sure everything was covered and poked Fisher. “I know you’re awake. Do something. They’re your family.”

“No,” he whispered, “they’re our family.” Her head was on his shoulder, and even with the blackout shades, Fisher had the sheet pulled up over their heads. He inched it down, uncovering both their faces. Keeping his arm around her, he sat up, forcing her to join him. God, the whole family was there, and one tiny woman she’d never even met before.

“Hunter, if you say another word about my fiancée”—Fisher’s arm tightened around her—“I’ll kick your ass, and Jessica will help me. Believe me, you don’t want to get on her bad side.”

Gramps picked up her bra with the rubber tip of his cane and tossed it onto the bed. “Sounds like we’ve got some celebratin’ to do instead of interventin’. You two take your time, and come out whenever you’re ready. We’re in no rush.” He winked at her. “I knew you’d figure it out. I’m gonna have me some exceptional great-grandbabies soon. I can feel it.”

Kate took a tissue out of her sleeve and patted her eyes. “Okay, everyone out. Let’s give them time to get dressed.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Fisher said as she herded the crew out.

Jessie fell back onto the pillows. “That’s it. We’re changing the locks and putting one on the bedroom door. This is ridiculous.”

“I told you they had a sick sixth sense, didn’t I? Welcome to the family.”

***

Karma ducked her head as her mother slapped her and tore the camera out of her hands.

“I can’t believe you took pictures.”

“Well, at least we have a memento from the day Fisher got engaged. Jessie looks cute with her hair a mess and her face all red.”

Gina stepped over and looked. “Sometimes I’m really glad we live in Brooklyn. I wouldn’t want you storming into our bedroom.”

Hunter snorted. “Ben always locks it. I checked.”

Gramps sat on the recliner. “Some damn thing’s poking me in the ass.” He reached behind him and pulled out circular knitting needles attached to what looked like a tube of camouflage. “I never figured Jessie for a knitter.”

Trapper smiled and pushed the brim of his cowboy hat back. “She’s not. That’s Fisher’s.”

Gramps looked over at Hunter. “Well, shit son, no wonder why you were so worried about Fisher. When did he take up actin’ like a woman?”

At least Hunter had the decency to look ashamed. “When he lost a bet, Trapper bought him knitting lessons.” Of course, Hunter would blame it all on Trapper. Mom hit the both of them, so he got his.

“What the hell is he knitting, anyway?” Gramps examined the project.

Fisher stepped into the living room, tugging a very embarrassed Jessie behind him. “Camo beer cozies.”

Gramps got up, went right to Jessie, and threw his arms around her. “I’m so proud of you, girl. Welcome to the family.”

“Thanks, Gramps.”

He took her left hand in his. “Well, damn Fisher. Where the hell is her ring?”

“I don’t have one yet. It’s not like I planned this.”

“Shit, you’ve known you wanted to marry her for weeks now. You don’t ask a woman to put up with the likes of you without giving her a nice, big diamond. Haven’t I taught you boys anything?”

“Hey.” Hunter took his wife’s hand in his. “I had a ring when I proposed.”

Toni laughed. “Yeah, but he didn’t get down on one knee, and it didn’t look like an engagement ring, so I just assumed it was a sorry-I-acted-like-an-ass present.”

Gina laughed. “I got mine in front of the justice of the peace and my ex-boyfriend on our first wedding day. I wondered if it was a fake. I mean, who buys a real diamond for a sham of a marriage?”

Everyone turned and smiled. “Ben,” they chorused.

Jessie’s phone rang, and she ran into the bedroom to take it. Karma didn’t think Jessie could look any happier, but when she came back to join them, she did. She whispered something in Fisher’s ear, and he picked her up and kissed her. “Jessica got the job with ESPN, and she’s based here in Boise covering the Northwest.”

Karma looked over to Gramps, who winked at her. She mouthed the words “thank you.” God, Karma loved her family.

She heard footsteps and turned to see a stranger walking down the stairs. “You must be Andrew.” How Jessie didn’t notice what Andrew looked like was amazing. No wonder Fisher was having puppies at the thought of Jessie staying with him. “I’m Karma Kincaid, Jessie’s future sister-in-law. Welcome to the family.”

Andrew smiled. “Congratulations, sugar.” Andrew gave Fisher a look, pulled Jessie into his arms, and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “I’m happy for you.”

“Andrew, I got the ESPN job too. I’ll be based here in Boise.”

“That’s fabulous. I knew you’d get it.”

“Well, I don’t think I could have survived, and Fisher and I wouldn’t have been able to fix things without you.”

“Na, I didn’t have much to do with it.” He shook Fisher’s hand. “Congratulations.”

Fisher turned the shake into a guy hug. “Andrew, thanks for everything.”

Andrew nodded and backed toward the door. Karma knew an escape plan when she saw one. She stepped over, leaned against the door, shot Andrew a smile, and raised an eyebrow. Foiled again. “Everyone… this is Andrew Monahan, Jessie’s best friend since they went to Columbia together. Andrew, this is…” She started the introductions, and even remembered to introduce Gina to Jessie. When she looked at her watch, she cringed—she had to leave, or she’d be late for work. She really didn’t want to miss this. “Okay, I’m having an impromptu engagement party for Jessie and Fisher tonight at Hannah’s. After all, I’m the one who fixed them up together.” She pointed at Andrew. “And you are the only one from Jessie’s side, so you’d better show up.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” He was friendly enough, but his eyes kept cutting back to Gina. He finally went over to her. “Excuse me, but do I know you?”

Ben put his arm around his wife.

Andrew smiled at Ben and then looked back at Gina. “No, really, it’s not a pickup line. You look so familiar. Where’d you grow up?”

“New York.”

“I know what it is. It’s the eyes. Hey, Jessie, doesn’t Gina look just like my friend Angel Anderson?”

“Angel? You mean the pitcher from the Jersey Jackals?”

“Yeah, that’s him. He’s my mom’s best friend’s son. I swear, you have the same eyes. They look copper when the sun hits them. I’ve never seen that before. I spent a few summers hanging out with Angel and getting paid for it. He was too old for a nanny and too young to get around by himself. We used to go sailing—he’s a great kid, and now he’s playing minor league baseball. Needless to say, his parents aren’t happy. They sent the kid to Princeton, and instead of getting a real job, he joined a minor league team. Personally, I’m proud of him. There will be plenty of time to put his education to work for him.”

Gina’s eyes went wide. “Do you have a picture of him?”

They had the attention of the whole room now. Jessie looked from Gina to Fisher before answering. “Andrew, isn’t he in that one of me throwing out the first pitch?”

“Yeah… I think so.”

It was apparent that Gina’s interest was making Andrew nervous.

Fisher shook his head. “Andrew, Gina’s little brother was given up for adoption when he was newborn, and she’s been looking for him. It was a private adoption, so it hasn’t been easy.”

Gina nodded. “I realize it’s a long shot, but right about now, any news is welcome. How old is he?”

“Um… I don’t know. Twenty-two or twenty-three. I never asked, but I always assumed Angel was adopted. He’s dark and Hispanic, and his parents are fair-haired Caucasian. Maybe you’re related or something. You just never know.”

Karma smiled at Andrew. “You certainly don’t.”

Karma looked over to Trapper, who stood off on his own, so solitary—the family Rock of Gibraltar. She wondered who he leaned on when his world went to hell. But then, she’d never seen it happen. Hmm… He’d been a bit of a downer for the last two weeks, since he came back from one of his frequent seventy-two-hour excursions. Interesting…

Fisher kissed Jessica, and the two of them practically glowed. “My work here is done.” Karma turned around. “I’m off to Humpin’ Hannah’s. See you at eight for the party.” She waved and walked out the door. “Karma has left the building.”

Writing is a solitary endeavor, but a writer’s life isn’t. I’m lucky to have the love and support of my incredible family. My husband, Stephen, who after twenty-two years of marriage, is still the man of my dreams. My children, Tony, Anna, and Isabelle, who in spite of being teenagers, are my favorite people to hang out with. They make me laugh, amaze me with their intelligence and generosity, and make me proud every day.

My parents, Richard Williams and Ann Feiler, and my stepfather George Feiler, who always encouraged me, and continue to do so.

My wonderful critique partners Deborah Villegas and Laura Becraft. They shortened my sentences, corrected my grammar, and put commas where they needed to be. They listened to me whine when my muse took a vacation, gave me great ideas when I was stuck, and answered that all-important question: Does this suck? They help me plot, love my characters almost as much as I do, and push-challenge me to be a better writer. They are wonderful friends, talented writers, and the sisters of my heart.

I owe a debt of gratitude to their families, who so graciously let me borrow them during my deadline crunch. So, to Robert, Joe, Elisabeth, and Ben Becraft, and Ruben, Alexander, Donovan, and Cristian Villegas, you have my thanks and eternal gratitude.

I’d also like to thank my other critique partners who are always there when I need a fresh eye—Grace Burrowes, Hope Ramsay, and April Line.

I wrote most of this book in the Carlisle Crossing Starbucks, and I have to thank all my baristas for keeping me in laughter and coffee while my computer and I camped out in their store. They were always there for me when I was searching for the right word or falling asleep at my computer. I don’t think I could have written this book without them. I also need to thank a few of the customers who have become wonderful friends: Dana and Steven Gossert, and Alan Monahan, for giving me an excuse not to write.

As always, I have to thank my wonderful agent Kevan Lyon for all she does, my team at Sourcebooks, my editor Deb Werksman, and my publicist Beth Pehlke.

Robin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents. Living with an extended family that’s a cross between
Gilligan’s Island
and
The
Sopranos
, minus the desert isle and illegal activities, explains both her comedic timing and the cast of quirky characters in her books.

She’s lived in half a dozen states, from Idaho to Florida, but the romance of Brooklyn has never left her heart. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a three-legged cat with attitude.

Robin would love to hear from you. Visit her website at
www.robinkayewrites.com
. Or email her at [email protected].