Love Inspired November 2013 #2 (56 page)

She felt laughter rise in her throat. “I'd love Grandma Lili to move in. She cooks like a dream.”

“And the rest of us? I'm sorry if I've been invading your space. Up here at Echo Mountain today and then brunch tomorrow and Christmas right after that. You're probably ready to apply for the witness protection program.”

“I think it would take more than a few home-cooked dinners and a great ski day to make me avoid you.” Evie felt her cheeks warm again. She couldn't resist flirting with him, even if their time together was running out.

He leaned back in his chair and tapped a finger on his chin. “You could always add Sunday church and see if that makes me even more tired of you. Just for kicks.”

She grinned. “Oh, but you go to the early service with all the old ladies. Jack would never forgive me if I left him alone at the ten o'clock on a permanent basis.”

“So, what will we do? Are we cursed to attend different services for the rest of our lives?”

The rest of our lives.
Her heart thudded in her chest, but she pretended to consider the problem. “You'll never be able to convince Lili to come later?”

“Not a chance. Only for special occasions. Christmas. Easter. Weddings.” He said this last word with a wink and chuckled as her face flamed.

“Well, then we're doomed. Might as well face it.”

“I never figured you for a pessimist.”

She watched Gavin surreptitiously from under her lashes. He was completely at ease, coat tossed across the bench, gray sweater showing off all the time he spent in the gym, blond hair mussed from his hat. She loved the way his heavy brows made him look a bit serious all the time, even when he was happy. He turned to the window, keeping an eye on Sean. One corner of his mouth tugged up as Sean flailed into the snow and Jack leaped to pull him upright.

He glanced up and caught her watching him. She dropped her eyes to her mug, stirring the dregs with a spoon.

“What were you thinking just now?”

Evie tossed back her hair and tried to look as if she weren't inwardly writhing in embarrassment. What could she say?
I was remarking over your every feature, noting each bit of perfection.
She searched around for something, anything.

He reached for her hand and rubbed his thumb along her knuckles. His hand was so large compared to her own. His fingers were warm, sheltering. She never wanted to let him go.

“I never know what you're thinking,” he said.

“You're not so easy to read yourself.” She wanted to reach out and run her fingers along his jaw, his cheek, across his lips. The corner was dark, and the fire crackled merrily a few feet away. Every detail, from the wisp of smoke from the logs to the exposed timbers in the lodge, Evie wanted to catalogue for later. Soon, she would have to admit her part in Allison's downfall, and she was sure there wasn't going to be another day like this for them. Not together, holding hands near the fireplace on a perfect, snowy day. She sighed and looked out the window—and gasped.

Jack was holding Sean's ski mask in one hand and pumping a fist into the air with the other. Sean was zooming down the bunny hill, small feet planted perfectly on the snowboard. He was heading directly for the wedge-shaped jump, and his miniature figure was gaining speed with every second. Evie stood up, arms raised, as if she could warn them through the glass.

The next moment, Sean hit the jump and launched into the air. He floated gracefully for several seconds. Then he crashed to earth with a sound that wasn't audible to them but was to other people on the slope, who came running to his aid.

Chapter Sixteen

G
avin reached the door before he'd even begun to process what he'd seen. The icy blast of air seemed to knock the breath from his lungs as he sprinted toward Sean. By the time Gavin slid to a kneeling position near his nephew's small body, Jack was already wiping the snow from his face, gently unbuckling the helmet straps.

“I think he just had the wind knocked out of him.” Jack's voice was shaking, higher than normal.

“You think?” Gavin growled the sarcastic comment. He was trying to keep his temper in check, but he was torn between wanting to scoop up Sean and strangle Jack. “What were you thinking? He's five!”

“He hit it just right, it was perfect. He just forgot to...land.”

“Oh, he landed.” Gavin leaned over Sean's face and tried to sound calmer than he felt. “Can you hear me?”

In response Sean screwed up his face and started to cry.

“Does it hurt? Can you tell me where it hurts?” He had never felt so helpless, watching his nephew lying on the hard-packed snow, curious onlookers gathering around.

“My rear end hurts.” Sean finally managed to squeak out a few words. Tears leaked out of his eyes and he struggled to sit up.

“Here, sweetie.” Evie was there, kneeling next to them, wiping Sean's tears with a soft tissue. “Come on up and let's go sit inside for a second.”

He sniffed loudly and stood up. “Why are all these people here?”

Gavin gazed around at the small crowd and felt his stomach knot with alarm. “Where's your ski mask, buddy?”

“It was hot so we took it off....” Jack's voice trailed away as he looked at the mask in his hand.

Evie threw him a look that said he'd get a lecture later and snatched the mask from his hand. “Better let me have it for now.”

“I think I want to try it again.” Sean sniffed a few times and then grabbed his snowboard, trying to stand in the brackets. Gavin couldn't help but be impressed with the kid's toughness.

“Are you sure? We can take a break.”

“I'm sure. Jack, can we go back up?”

He looked at Evie, who seemed to be having a silent conversation with her brother. “Okay, but you better put this back on or you'll get more snow in your face if you biff it.”

Sean stepped over to let Evie put on the mask, then the helmet.

“Hi, guys.” Gavin turned to see a young woman with brown hair and blue eyes, smiling hugely at them, large camera around her neck. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as she stared openly at Sean's retreating figure.

“Amy, hi. Aren't you visiting that goat farm today?” Evie had crossed her arms over her chest.

“Oh, sure, it was great. Got lots of pictures. I came up here to see if I can get some good shots for the Sunday sports page.” Her gaze flicked between Gavin and Evie.

“The sports page?” Evie's voice held a note of something he couldn't define.

“Sure. You know, in case they wanted some good sledding shots for the front. Is this your boyfriend?” Amy stepped toward Gavin and put out her hand. Gavin had the faint impression of a predator sniffing for prey.

“Yes, I'm Gavin.” He took her hand, expression neutral.

“Amy Morket, reporter for
The Chronicle.
Well, nice to meet you. See you at work, boss.” Another thorough once-over and Amy turned back to the lodge. The crowd of worried bystanders drifted away, murmuring words of relief at Sean's lack of injury.

Evie blew out a breath. “That girl reminds me of myself ten years ago. And not in a good way. Questions, all the time.”

He slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Isn't that usual for reporters?”

She thought about it for a moment. “Journalists are a curious lot, that's for sure. But most of us know not to be annoying about it. It's the way she pops up everywhere. She's supposed to be touring a goat farm today, but instead she's up here. I can't hardly turn around without bumping into her.”

Jack let out a whoop as Sean managed a small hill, this time without falling face first into the snow. “He's a natural!” he called toward them.

Evie sent him a thumbs-up and let out a laugh. “My brother should never come off this mountain. He's so happy up here.” The smile faded from her face. “And I think if he gets up the nerve, he's going to quit his job and do just that.”

“Better now than when he has a family to support.”

She watched him adjust the snowboard, settling Sean's boots into the latches. “I want him to be happy, even if he makes almost nothing. He was never made to sit in an office all day. I wish our father could see that.”

He understood. He wished for a lot of things, mostly to understand what made his parents act the way they did. How could they possibly reject Sean? How could they refuse to see Allison because she kept her baby? But he still loved them. Strangely, illogically, his heart still ached for their family to be whole.

At the bottom of the hill once more, Sean trudged through the snow toward them, small figure showing obvious signs of tiredness. Jack had the board over one shoulder and was smiling ear to ear.

“He did great! Probably the easiest kid I ever taught.”

The little boy lifted his face to his uncle and beamed. “Did you hear that?”

“I sure did, buddy.” Gavin sat him on the bench and gave him a hug. “Are you ready to call it a day?”

“Yeah, I bet my mom is really sad without me.” His big blue eyes were deadly serious.

“Do you want to call her and tell her we're coming back? Then she will know you're on your way.” Evie held up her cell phone and Sean nodded.

They headed to the car while Sean chattered on her phone.

Gavin looked over at Evie and couldn't help the warmth that spread through his chest. What a perfect morning. He hadn't thought about work once. Maybe that wasn't a good thing, but it sure felt good right now.

She slid him a look. “What are you thinking about?”

He coughed, surprised. “That's my line.”

“It's hard for me to read your expression. Like, right now, you seemed happy, but then your eyebrows came down like this.” She demonstrated with a fierce scowl.

He couldn't choke back the laughter. “Okay, I look nothing like that.”

Evie shrugged a sort of “have it your way” motion and smiled. “Anyway, are you happy? Or mad? Or both?”

“I just...was realizing how little I think about work when I'm with you and wondering if that was good or bad.”

She nodded. “The other day I forgot something important at least three times. This probably doesn't bode well for future success in our careers.”

He almost tripped over a lump of icy snow in the parking lot as he turned to grin at her. Those bright blue eyes, the sweet smile framed by dimples. She was strong, faithful, funny. She exuded life, grace.

But Gavin had always been the serious science geek, the lab rat who spent his time working instead of socializing. Patrick's memory had consumed him as he fought his solitary battle. She was all about the community and bringing people together. Could they find a place together, meet in the middle? Was he wrong to even think of making room in his life for something other than his scientific work?

She stopped and pointed. “See, right there. You did it again!”

“What? Did what?”

Sean was still describing his every snowboard maneuver to his mom on the phone, and he obligingly stood still next to them.

“You were smiling, then it just faded away.” Her face was set in a stubborn frown. “You know, if you're having second thoughts, about this,” she waved a hand between them, “it's okay to tell me. I don't want you to hide your reservations because you don't want to hurt me.”

She was worried that he might not really like her. Love her.

Sean continued to chatter as Gavin stepped toward Evie, reaching out a hand to her cheek. Her skin was silky soft but hot to the touch. He slipped his hand behind her head, running his fingers up into her hair. Her eyes went half-closed. He could see a pulse jumping at the base of her throat, her lips parted slightly. He leaned in, promising himself just one kiss. Her perfume was clean, light. He felt her hands up against his chest, and he slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her near. Her breath was warm against his mouth. Nothing had ever felt so perfect.

“And they're kissing. No, real kissing. Right now. Uh-huh... Still kissing.” Sean's voice cut through the fog that was wrapped around his brain.

A tug on the back of his coat. “Uncle Gavin, my mom says to knock it off.”

Evie leaned back with a gasp, her hand to her mouth, eyes wide with laughter.

Gavin kept an arm around her waist and growled back, “Tell your mom she's being bossy.”

Sean dutifully repeated the message. Evie shook with laughter, her face pink.

“She says if you can't control yourself,” he paused, listening to his mother, “she can get a bucket of ice water ready.”

Evie broke down completely, laughing into the front of his coat, her shoulders shaking. He couldn't help grinning. Little sisters. Always getting in the way.

“Uncle Gavin, what does that mean? Why do you need a bucket of ice water? Are you thirsty?”

Gavin felt his face go hot and nodded at Sean. “Sure am. Tell your mom we're being good now.”

Sean looked at them, little boy face screwed up in concentration. “He says he's being good, but he's still hugging her.” There was a short pause. “My mom says hands off.”

He chuckled and released Evie, although he missed her soft figure immediately. Her expression told him she wished he'd held on a bit longer. “Tell her she wins. And we'll be there in about half an hour.”

Another messaged delivered and Evie got her phone back. “Let's get going, Mr. Snowboard Champion of the Year.”

“Can you call me that all the time?”

“Hmm. Maybe just on Saturdays, okay?”

“Okay.” His little face was bright with happiness, and Gavin knew exactly how he felt.

He caught her watching his face as they pulled out of the parking lot. “Yes?”

She blushed, her eyes darting away. “Just waiting for the scowl.”

“No more scowling. I promise.” And he couldn't imagine being unhappy when he thought of the days ahead, starting with tomorrow. All of his favorite people in one place, around some good food. It just didn't get any better than that.

* * *

“If you're trying to convince me to move, it's not working.” Allison stood in the doorway to the kitchen and stared, wide-eyed. The enchiladas were just out of the oven, green sauce peeking through the bubbling pepper jack cheese. In a smaller dish, the more kid-friendly penne pasta over simple sauce sat cooling.

Evie snorted, hands deep into the pie dough she was kneading. “If I wanted you to leave, I would put you to work in here.”

If she popped it in the moment Gavin and Grandma Lili got here, it would be done and cooled right after brunch was over. It had been tricky, getting to church with her brother and preparing an entire brunch, but Evie was all about the planning. Put together last night, even though her muscles were complaining from the sledding exercise, it had been simple to pop them in this morning and let them cook while she was gone. Allison was still in hiding, so she kept an eye on the food, but Evie could tell the young mom was more than ready to be honest with the world about her past with Senator McHale.

Evie's stomach clenched. Not out of worry for Allison, but in the knowledge that as soon as she was no longer sheltering Gavin's sister, Evie needed to be honest, too. And that step scared her to death.

“But I like cooking, actually. One of the clubs where I used to sing had a nice grill. The owner was one of those guys who liked fusion food. Cuban American, Korean Cuban, Cuban Vegan... Well, anything Cuban.”

Evie shrugged off the dark cloud of worry and attempted a bright smile. “Then come on in. Actually, we should get Sean in here to help with the pie. I have leftover dough and he can make shapes and toast them in the oven.”

“I don't know if you want my kid in this kitchen,” Allison said, gazing around at the bright white cabinets and gleaming floor.

“It's all washable. Bring him on in.” Evie hurried to prepare a place for Sean at the counter. Rolling out some foil and taping it on, she grabbed cookie cutters and a little cup of flour.

“Really, Evie? Can I help?” Sean was speeding into the kitchen, not really waiting for an answer, eyes wide with excitement.

“Sure, you'll be over here.” She rummaged through a small cabinet and came up with a tiny oak rolling pin. She held it up toward Allison. “I knew this would come in handy. I saw it at a flea market and bought it. Jack thought I was nuts.”

Allison grinned. “I see why. It's a bit small.”

“I told him it was for small pies.” Evie hurried into the living room for a chair and brought it back for Sean. She would miss having the little guy around, rebel yells and all. She hoped they would still come visit after they'd moved back to their own place. Even if she and Gavin weren't together any longer, if he couldn't forgive her for not telling him the truth sooner.

She felt a smothering wave of fear and pushed it back once more. Focus on the moment. God would take care of the rest.

There was a knock at the front door, and Evie looked up, confused. Gavin and his grandmother were more than half an hour early. She didn't bother to wash her hands but trotted to the living room and peered through the peephole.

Evie swung the door open, already talking. “I thought you guys were coming at two. Where's Lili? I was just...” Gavin stepped inside and closed the door, but there was no welcoming hug.

“I need to talk to you.” Just a few simple words, but the world seemed to tilt and shift under Evie's feet. “Senator McHale just gave me a call. He said he was checking in on how our office was doing, but the truth is that internet article has got him scrambling to explain why he hasn't supported his kid for five years. He had a lot to say, and it wasn't all about Allison.” His voice was cold, cold, cold. “It seems the paper that published those pictures of him got a new editor. One that was more willing to tell him exactly who sold those pictures in the first place.”