Lights shone from several windows on three levels of the enormous house. She knew the grounds were immense, landscaped, and beautiful. The headlights glistened off the wet stones of the mansion. Gavin pulled the car up to the front steps of the graveled drive.
What was she doing here? She had argued, pleaded and talked until she was blue in the face. Gavin had a way of steamrolling over any obstacle. He didn’t quite ignore her arguments, reasons, or in his terms, excuses. No, he just turned it all around so that the only
logical
thing to do was to come stay the weekend at his parents’ house.
That in and of itself was simply imposing on this family and it felt awkward. She’d done this once already a couple of weeks ago. Obviously she and Gavin were more than friends and at the same time, not yet lovers. So, where did that leave them? Taylor had no idea. What would his family think of the additions for the weekend?
Taylor turned to look again at Ryan in the back seat. He hadn’t said a word all evening. She noticed Gavin repeatedly looking in his rearview mirror, concern for her son evident.
What a day.
At least nothing had been stolen, not that she immediately found anyway. She had talked to Lieutenant Morris about Nina and gave him all the pertinent facts she could. He promised he would place a call to the prison tonight and get back with her. She had yet to hear from him and that worried her. She’d also learned he’d actually stopped by because he was investigating some murder that was tied into a burglary. Actually, she’d only overheard that part. But it made her wonder all the more.
Gavin put the vehicle in park, turning her attention back to the house. “Are you certain this is all right? It just doesn’t seem right, dropping in uninvited and….”
Normally, Gavin’s eyes held a trace of mischief, of amusement. Now, they were serious, almost coldly so. Instead of answering her, he turned in his seat and looked at Ryan.
“Hey champ. We’re here. I forgot to warn you, Tori, my niece, is here. She’s about your age. She’ll probably run you ragged with questions and talk your ears off, but she’s nice. And I promise not to let her talk you into any tea parties or doll-salons.”
Taylor didn’t turn around, but caught Gavin’s grin before he said, “Thought that would get a smile out of you. Now, you met Mom, but everyone will wonder who you are, and who your mother is. I thought I’d tell them you both came from another planet and landed in my office this afternoon, kidnapping me and making me late because you wanted to see all the tourists’ sites.”
This time an ever so small giggle whispered on the air. Taylor didn’t move.
“But then they might not like you because you made me miss dinner with the family, and it was a lie too, and my mother wouldn’t want me to lie. So, I figured I’d tell them the truth. Taylor is a very special friend and you are her son and my sightseeing partner. What do you think? Will that work?”
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How did he do it? As easy as that, it seemed all problems could be solved. Taylor dared a glance back over her shoulder, catching Gavin’s eye for just split second before she looked at Ryan.Ryan nodded his head, and she was glad to see that he was indeed smiling. Patience, patience, she reminded herself.
“We can come back and get our stuff later,” Gavin told them. “Let’s just go in, say hi to everyone and get the introductions over.”
Their doors shut in a trio of clicks. The air was still damp and sweet with the evening’s rain and hinted with jasmine. Taylor looked down at Ryan who quietly came up to her side and slid his hand in hers.
A soft sigh slipped past her lips as it did within her heart. Her hand squeezed his. She knelt down on one knee in front of him, the lights from the house allowing her to see his face.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.”
Would it really, his eyes questioned.
“Please talk to me, Ryan. Just one word.” Her other hand came up as she ran her fingers through his short, soft hair. He didn’t pull away from her, but leaned into her palm. Taylor could have cried from that simple action. “Please?”
Without any warning, he threw his arms around her neck as though she were a lifeline in a stormy sea. Barely keeping her balance, Taylor held onto him as tightly as he was she.
“I love you, Ryan.” She didn’t expect him to answer her, he never did. But she knew he cared for her. She wanted to make life perfect for him and felt like she failed, miserably. This son of hers who had known little of love and security deserved to have it now. “I promise it’s going to be okay. I’ll make it that way, I promise.”
His arms tightened even more as she heard him whisper, “I love you, too.”
This time she did cry. Silent tears.
I love you, too.
Those were the sweetest words she’d ever heard. Taylor wasn’t aware of how much time passed and she didn’t care. Right now was all that mattered, here in the arms of her child.
Finally, she pulled back, and with a small whispered laugh swiped a hand under her eyes.
“You make me so proud and happy,” she told him.
His grin was sheepish, and she caught the slightest blush beneath his freckles.
“Are you going to talk to me now?”
“I guess so.” The toe of his sneaker made a circle in the gravel. “I just needed to think things through, I guess. But I still don’t understand any of it.” His sigh breezed against her face.
“I know.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m fine, honey.”
“That kick thing you did on that guy was cool,” he said on a smile.
She laughed.
Gavin cleared his throat and she looked up at him. He wasn’t but a couple of feet away to her right.
“Thank you,” she told him, as she stood.
“What was that?” His voice held so much disbelief she knew he was teasing her.
Ryan giggled. “I wondered if she’d ever say that. Thanks, Gavin. I’m glad we came.” His
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freckled nose scrunched up. “I know you’ve told us a dozen times it’s okay that we came, but is it really?”
“More like a hundred. And yes, it’s okay. And you’re welcome.” Gavin turned back to her.
“Both of you.”
He held his arm out to her, “Shall we?”
This time she smiled at him as she placed her hand on his arm and held Ryan’s hand with her other one. They walked up the curving cobbled walk lined with little lights. The whole place still reminded her of something out of a movie from Colonial times, or the Civil War. Complete with Doric columns rising to the third story, giving her the feeling she was entering a palace or something.
Now things were settled to a degree with Ryan, her nervousness about meeting Gavin’s family started eating at her stomach. Stupid, they were just people, like any others and Mrs.
Kinncaid and his brother had seemed nice. And with her job, Taylor was used to meeting people.
So, why the sudden nervousness?
It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that this was Gavin’s family. Nothing at all.
“What did you mean about Kinncaid Enterprises and global resorts?” she blurted her question out as they reached the porch.
She knew his brother, Aiden, did something with hotels and Gavin was a doctor. He had other brothers, but he’d never told her much about them. She’d just assumed they were rich businessmen from the way he talked.
Gavin sighed. “Hoped that would slip by you.” They were standing under the light and his expression was one she’d never seen before. It was guarded, almost nervous. No, it had been a long day and she was simply reading things wrong. Gavin nervous? Like that would ever happen.
“Are you two ready?” Gavin asked.
Were they ready? No. No. No. Could she stall anymore?
A grin danced in his eyes and at the corner of his mouth. “You met Mom and got along.
You know Aiden. None of them bite, I promise. Well, except for Dad, but he’s all bluster, so just ignore his barks.”
Before she could think of all that, he was pressing the latch on the door. Had she expected him to knock at his own home? Taylor shook off her scattered and jittery thoughts. She was going to make a fool of herself if she didn’t pull it together.
Taylor grabbed Ryan’s hand and they walked into the entrance. Their entry was quiet. No one was in sight, a blessing in her opinion.
Dark, planked floors echoed their footfalls
“Hello? Where is everybody?” Gavin hollered at the top of his lungs.
His voice jolted her and apparently Ryan as well, since he’d tightened his hold on her hand.
Ryan’s eyes were big and round, absorbing everything he saw.
“There you are,” stated a deep voice from in front of them. The man walked forwards with a bowl of popcorn. The buttery smell tickled Taylor’s nose. Aiden. He popped a piece in his mouth before dusting his hand on his trousers. “We’d almost given up on you.”
He was as handsome as she remembered--same coloring as Gavin and maybe same striking cobalt eyes, and maybe the same straight nose.
“Yeah,” Gavin said, “we got sidetracked shopping.”
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“Really? Now I was just saying to Jessie, I bet Gavin and his cohorts got lost in the mall.
Not a thing to worry about.”
Gavin only shook his head. “Taylor, Ryan, you remember Aiden. He lives just down the road, and will hopefully be going home very soon.”
A single-dimpled smile answered, before he turned his attention to them.
Gavin took her hand off his arm and held it. The touch that still sent the butterflies dancing, managed to also calm her somewhat. “Aiden, you remember Taylor Reese, and her son, Ryan.”
Aiden’s gaze studied her before it shifted to Ryan. “Yes. How could I forget? Nice to see you again.” He held the bowl with one arm and held out his hand to her.
“Where is that popcorn?” A woman with honey-blonde hair and a baby on her shoulder came from the opposite direction from which Aiden had emerged.
“Here, I was on my way.” Aiden rolled his eyes.
“Oh.” The woman smiled at Gavin, before propping a hand on her hip. She was clad in jeans and boots. Something Taylor hadn’t seen since she moved from Austin. And this wasn’t commercial western wear with fringe and pointed-toed, hot-pink, snake skin boots. This woman wore denim jeans and brown lace-up ropers.
Of course, the sister-in-law from Texas. Aiden’s wife.… Jennifer? Jessica? She knew it started with a ‘J’. Taylor smiled at the familiar clothing before the woman turned dark brown eyes on her in an intense weighing gaze.
“Hi. I’m Jesslyn Kinncaid. If you’re stuck with Gavin, I feel for you.” It was said in such a straight-faced, no-nonsense tone, Taylor wasn’t certain if the woman was joking or not.
“Thanks, but I cut him a break tonight,” Taylor said.
Aiden put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. Jesslyn said, “He’s a smart-a … aleck. You are a brave woman.” Her smile was full of amusement.
Well that was the truth. “He’s not quite that bad,” Taylor tried.
Gavin turned a dramatic expression on her. “Not that bad?” He shook his head and looked back at Jesslyn. “I must be losing my touch. Good thing I came here so I could brush up on my repartee with you, Jess.”
A husky laugh from Jesslyn mixed with a full rumble from Aiden.
“Behaving yourself with this one, are you, Gav?” Jesslyn asked him.
“This is Taylor, honey,” Aiden said, leaning down. “The one I told you about.”
Jesslyn’s brows rose. “Ooohhhh.”
And just what did that mean?
Gavin only shook his head before turning back to Taylor. “Ignore them.”
“She talks like we do,” Ryan said, pulling on her hand.
Gavin obviously heard him, as did everyone else, but it was Gavin who answered. “Indeed.
It’s those smiling vowels.”
“They get you every time, don’t they?” Aiden asked with a dance of black brows at his brother.
Taylor had no idea what they were talking about, and Ryan’s furrowed brow said the same thing.“Our accents,” Jesslyn clarified.
“Oh.” Smiling vowels? She’d taken theater in high school, and had been involved in one-
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act play competitions. There had been a judge who’d said something about smiling vowels. There was another name for it. Oh, she hated when she had a question, she knew she knew the answer to, but couldn’t think of. Of course, that was years and years ago and why the thought suddenly seemed important was completely beyond her.
“So, Taylor, how did you get stuck with this guy for the weekend?” Jesslyn asked.
Straightforward indeed.
“Sorry,” the woman added on a wave. “Don’t mind me. I tend to be curious and just ask questions.” Jesslyn Kinncaid was an open woman, easily so. Taylor envied her.
“It’s a long story.”
“The best kind,” Aiden said.
Jesslyn hunched down so that she was eye level with Ryan. “Hi, do you like popcorn?”
Ryan nodded.
“How about Koolaid?”