The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (30 page)

“So, how was the traffic?  Did you take 280 or 78?” Dean asks.  The guys spend the next few minutes discussing the most efficient route for Evan to take back home later tonight.  Not in the least bit interested in this conversation, I decide to wander back into the kitchen to see if I can give Callie and Jill a hand with dinner.

Jill has two bottles of Chardonnay breathing and Callie is busy filling bowls with vegetables and other goodies to bring to the table.  “Can I help?”

“Oh, no dear.  You’re our guest today.  Here, let me pour you a glass of wine,” Jill insists.

I turn to glance over at Evan, and he is now seated on the couch with his father and brother in-law completely engrossed in the game.  It looks like there’s a baseball game on T.V. today.  I can’t help but think about those poor guys, playing baseball on a holiday.  Immediately, images of the players’ wives preparing holiday meals without their husbands flash into my mind.  I wonder which holidays Evan will miss.  I know Thanksgiving is a big football day.  But then again, so are Christmas and New Year’s.  Should I really be thinking about our future holidays so soon?  Probably not.

Jill calls the men over to help put dinner on the table.  Since we have already eaten, Evan offers to help take care of Regan while Callie and Dean eat.  Everyone finds a seat at the table, and Evan ushers me to an empty spot next to him.  His parents sit at either end of the table, and Callie and Dean are across from us.  Evan has little Regan sitting on his lap, and an assortment of coloring books and crayons in hand.  Quickly assessing the situation, I remove his plate and silverware, giving them room to color.

John pours everyone a fresh glass of wine and Jill begins passing the food around.  The main course is a magnificent rack of lamb that looks positively scrumptious.  The food is passed around the table, and Evan looks like he’s just about to burst.  “Sweetie, would you like me to make you a plate?”  I ask him.

“Oh, yeah!  Baby, you’re the best.”  I shouldn’t be surprised that Evan has room for a second meal.  It must take a lot of calories to keep him in shape.

I begin to make him a plate, but I’m not sure about his preferences.  Does he like vegetables?  Should I give him a lot or a little?  Salt?  Pepper?  We have a lot to learn about each other.  Evan gives me some help as I make his plate.  I hold up dishes and he gives me either a nod or a shake to signal his interest.  As I might have guessed, he likes just about everything.

Once the plate is fixed, a new problem presents itself.  How is he going to eat with a toddler on his lap?

“Hey, Regan, can I color, too?”

“Sure, here.”  She hands me a purple crayon.

“Want to sit with me so Uncle Evan can eat dinner?” I gently ask.

“OK.”  And just like that, she hops off of Evan’s lap and plops herself right onto mine.  Everyone’s eyes immediately dart over to me, including Evan’s.

“Oh, Callie, I’m sorry.  I can put her down if you prefer.”  I wonder if I’ve overstepped my bounds.

“No – absolutely not!  I’m just surprised.  Normally, Regan is very shy around people she doesn’t know.  It’s not like her to go to a stranger so easily.  Are you sure you’re OK with her while we eat?”

“This is great, right Regan?  What should we color?”

“You color the twees and I color the bunny wabbit.”

“Do I need green for the tree?”  I ask her.

“Paw-pul trees.  Owange bunny.  See?”

“Oh, I see now.  That’s beautiful, Regan.”

“Juliette, you’re so good with her.  Do you have nieces or nephews at home?”  Callie asks.

“No, I’m an only child.  My best friend comes from a large family and there are always lots of kids and babies around for me to enjoy.”  I look down at this brown haired, blue-eyed darling and I wonder if this could be my future.  Evan’s hand finds an open spot on my leg, and he gives it a little squeeze, almost like he’s confirming my thoughts.

It’s nice to watch Evan with his family.  Dean asks Evan what the early predictions are for the Sentinels this year.  They start talking about stats and players, but it’s all lost on me. 

The conversation flows easily here.  His parents are warm and caring.  They are very involved in their children’s everyday lives.  It’s heart-warming to watch.  Dean and Evan seem to have a strong relationship, too.  I enjoy watching them tease one another as family would.

Throughout the meal, he tries to include me whenever possible and refills my glass when he notices it’s low.  He wraps his arm around my chair, and everything feels right. 

Regan is sitting so quietly on my lap, I almost forget she is there.  I look down at her, and she’s stopped coloring. Her thumb has found its way into her mouth, and she’s falling asleep.

Evan turns to ask me a question, and I hold up a finger to my mouth, “shhh ...” I warn him. 

When Callie notices, she gets up and walks over to me to take the sleeping beauty.  Regan must really be deeply asleep, because she cuddles deeper into my lap and puts her arms around my neck.  As quietly and gracefully as I can, I get up from the table with Regan in my arms and follow Callie down the hall into Regan’s room.

I lay Regan down on her little toddler bed and Callie changes her into pajamas.  “She’s tired, it’s been a long day.  Thanks for your help.”

“Really, it was my pleasure.  She is absolutely adorable.  I hope we can see you all again soon.  Thank you so much for having me.”  Together, we step into the hallway, closing the door enough to leave it open just a crack. 

“I’m really glad my brother has found someone, Juliette.  He’s been alone for a long time.”  Alone?  Not from everything I’ve seen.

“Callie, I’ve seen all the evidence to the contrary.  He’s had the company of some amazing women.” 

“You can be in a crowded room and still be alone, you know.  Trust me.  You’re the first to truly capture his heart.”

“I just hope he doesn’t get bored with me too quickly.”

She pulls me in for a sisterly hug.  “Impossible.  He loves you.  Can’t you see it?  It’s written all over his face every time he looks at you.”

Did she just say that? 
He loves me. 

“I believe I have you to thank for all the gifts of lovely flowers Evan has been giving me.”  A mischievous grin appears on Callie’s face.

“Maybe.  My brother tells me a lot, you know.  He didn’t want to scare you away.  Spending so many years in the flower business, I’ve learned a thing or two about the art of gift giving.  It’s good to know that my brother actually takes my advice.  I was beginning to think he was a lost cause.”

“Lost cause?”

“We all thought Evan was going to become a perpetual bachelor.  He never brought any girls home.  Not that I would have wanted him to.  He never spent much time with anyone worthy of the effort.  But now, we’re just so happy you’re giving him a chance.  He’s got a big heart, and it’s time he let someone in.”

Our conversation is cut short when Evan joins us in the hallway to tell us that coffee and dessert are now ready to be served.  “So, what are you two girls up to?” 

We look at each other with a sheepish grin and together we reply, “Nothing.”

The three of us head back to the dining room to join everyone for dessert.  My pastries are set on the table beside a beautiful cheesecake.  In the center of the table sits a new centerpiece, a glass bowl filled with deep fuchsia peonies.

“Juliette, I have to tell you I just loved hearing about how the two of you met,” Callie declares.  “How your dog attacked him on the beach.  It’s so ... romantic.”

“Is it true you really had no idea who he was?” Dean questions.  “I just don’t see how that’s possible.”  Callie swats him.  “I’m not saying I don’t believe you, it’s just that he’s so ‘out there’.  I thought every woman on the planet knew our golden boy, here.”

“I had no idea.  I really felt like a fool today when my seventy-five year old grandmother figured it out in about five minutes.”  We all have a good chuckle about that one.

“So, Juliette, what do you do for a living?” Dean asks.  “It’s obvious you’re not a news reporter.”  Callie smacks him again.  “What?  It’s just a question.”

“Well, right now, I’m bartending on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant.  But my real passion is baking.  I’m hoping to open my own bakery someday.”

“Juliette got her degree in Colorado at Johnson & Wales University.”  He turns to me, “Didn’t you do a semester abroad in France, too, sweetie?”  Evan places his hand on my knee, allowing his fingers to travel up my thigh just enough to make me blush.

It turns out that Callie and Dean honeymooned in Paris and we spend a good deal of time discussing the French culture and cuisine. 

“I’d really love to return some day,” I tell Evan’s sister.  “When I was there, I really didn’t get to do many of the touristy things.”

“You really should.  It’s such a beautiful city.  Don’t you think so, Dean?”  Callie looks at the man beside her. 

He gives her a peck on the cheek and replies.  “The Louvre and Notre-Dame were pretty amazing.”

“So, son, do you have any plans to travel before the season starts?”  Evan’s father asks.

Evan looks at me and shakes his head.  “I don’t think so, Dad.  Juliette just started her job a month ago.  I doubt she can get any time off right now.”  I love that he’s considering me in his decisions now.  That is, most definitely, a good sign.

Evan walks around the table filling everyone’s coffee cup.  He moves around the room so gracefully.  I can’t wait to get him home and have my way with him.  The light stubble has returned to his chin, and my fingers itch to caress it.  I can almost feel its scratchy touch all over my body.

Callie begins to slice and serve her cheesecake while our plate of pastries is being passed around the table.  “These pastries are delicious.  Did you make them?” Evan’s father asks.

“No, Mr. McGuire.  We had a little excitement at my house last night and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do any baking.”  I’m not sure how much more I should say.

“Please, call me John.  I hope it wasn’t anything too serious.” 

Evan explains a little about my intruder and the call to the police.  Thankfully, he leaves out the part about my stilettos and thong.  His family is relieved to know that I’m not returning to the house until a proper security system is installed.

“Sounds like you two had quite the fright last night,” Jill adds.  “Do you have any idea at all who it might be?”

“I’m afraid it might be a customer at the bar.”  I look over to Evan, and he’s visibly upset.

“Dad, I can’t protect her when she’s at work.  I don’t know what to do.”  He’s running his fingers through his hair.  I’m starting to learn his mannerisms.  He only does that when he’s upset.

“I’m sure the bar has a security team.  Have they been notified?”  We both indicate they have.  “Then you, young lady, must make sure that you never walk to your car alone, especially at night.  You need to take this very seriously.  Can one of the bouncers walk you to and from your car?”

“Yes, that shouldn’t be a problem.  We all watch out for one another at work.”  It’s sweet that his father is concerned about me.  Evan is lucky to have such a supportive and compassionate family.

“Speaking of work, Evan, don’t you have an interview coming up with Sports Illustrated later this week?”

“I do.  The interview’s in Manhattan.  I was hoping to bring Juliette and make a day of it.”  He turns to me with hope gleaming in his eyes.  “Care to do a little shopping in the city with me?”

“OK.”  I can’t help but grin from ear to ear.  I absolutely
love
the city.  The thought of spending it with Evan is almost too much.  He leans over and kisses me, right in front of his family.  I look up and everyone in the room is watching us and beaming. 

The conversation continues for a little longer.  Evan tells his family that since the home renovations are almost complete, he’d like to have them all over for dinner soon.  I’d love to have an opportunity to cook for them in Evan’s kitchen.

Callie hugs me tightly as we say our good-byes.  “We’re so glad he found you,” she whispers in my ear so that no one, especially Evan, can hear her.

John pulls me in for a fatherly hug.  “You take care of yourself, my dear.  Promise us all you’ll be careful.” 

“I will.”

Jill is hugging Evan and whispering in his ear.  “I won’t, Mom,” is all I can hear.  It’s obvious she adores her son.  And he cherishes his mother.  You can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his mother, and by tonight’s demonstration, Evan has proven how much he values family.

I get a farewell hug from Jill, too.  “It was so nice to meet you, Juliette.  I do hope we can see you again very soon, dear.”

E
van holds my hand as we drive home.  I bring his hand to my lips, and gently kiss each of his knuckles.  “Thank you.”

“For what, baby?”

“For a perfect day.  My mother loved you and I absolutely loved meeting your family.”

“They loved you, too.  It was the last thing my mother said before we left.”  A calm comes over me as I soak up that last piece of information.  It’s very important that his family approves.  Without their support, we could never move forward.