by Lauren Dane
A lovely young woman came downstairs.
She looked Raven over and then smiled. “You’re Raven.” She held her hand out. “I’m Carrie. My dad talks about you all the time.”
Raven shook her hand. “Does he? He talks about you all the time too. You make him very proud.” She’d practiced that one a few times. She meant it so she hoped it sounded genuine.
She had great teeth. Holy cow, that smile was big and bright. Her hair was long. Dark like her father’s. The cut was perfection. It fell around her face just right, emphasizing her eyes, more green than brown. This girl’s mother must have been stunning. Correct, must be stunning. Raven tried not to think about Charlotte, but damn, if this child was any reflection on her, Raven was going to develop an even bigger complex.
“My dad showed me the tattoo you’re doing on his back. It’s amazing. I said I was going to ask you to do one for me.”
Raven laughed as she allowed herself to imagine Jonah’s look of horror when his kid sprung that on him. “I’m going to guess he gave you a lecture about how you should be older before you made such a permanent choice for yourself and your skin.”
Jonah made a little sound and suddenly Raven was all right. His kid was all right. She could have been snooty and spoiled, but she wasn’t.
“That’s pretty much exactly what he said. So I told him I’d catch you in the summer before I went off to college. I’ll be eighteen then.”
Raven put her hands up in surrender. “I tend to agree with the being-older-and-really-think-hard-about-how-you’re-permanently-changing-your-skin viewpoint. Plus, I’m afraid he might send your grandmother to rough me up if I did that without his okay.”
Carrie’s eyes widened, lit with amusement. “I heard you met her. She’s something else, isn’t she? She is a good person most of the time. She’s really old school and sometimes she forgets her manners.”
“I just figured she was bossy and powerful and liked it that way.” Oh, for god’s sake, did she say that out loud? She winced, but Jonah just squeezed her shoulders.
“That too. Are we ready?”
“I have something to take along with me. Jules, she’s a pretty talented pastry chef. She makes these cherry walnut things. I brought some. Don’t worry, Gillian put them on some fancy plate she said would be a nice gift. And in case someone was allergic to nuts, I have an apple cranberry tart too.”
“We’ll get them on the way out. Oh, you left your coat here. It’s in the hall closet. Carrie, get the stuff you brought back for your grandparents.”
Carrie ran upstairs and Raven turned to him. “I didn’t leave my coat here.” She gave him a raised brow. “Maybe one of your other girlfriends did.”
“I know. I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable. I bought you one.”
“You did what? I don’t need a coat. I have a parka thing I got when I agreed to go snowboarding a few years back.”
“Yes, you do. Your parka thing is too heavy and not pretty for events like this. Plus that sweater you have on is lovely, but not warm enough.”
“It’s not fur, is it? Because I don’t wear fur.”
He fought a smile, turning to pull the coat from the closet. He was charming. Far too charming for her peace of mind because she had trouble saying no to the man. This was nothing she’d encountered before. She loved saying no. It was a favorite. But not with this guy.
“Not fur. Cashmere.”
It was a simple but beautiful black coat, and when she put it on, she nearly moaned. He’d clearly thought about what she’d like and what would look good on her. Another reason she was helpless against him. He gave presents, yes, but he put effort into everything he surprised her with. The material was soft and very warm, the hem had movement—she thought they called it a swing coat. Daisy would know that sort of thing.
“Thank you. It’s gorgeous.”
“Any time. I don’t like to see you shiver.”
“I usually go south or west in the late fall and winter. I hate the heat, but I really love to be somewhere balmy and sunny when it’s cold here.”
“We’ll go to Maui soon.”
“Dude. You spoil me. The coat is plenty.”
He kissed her temple. “It’s my job to spoil you. Anyway, you like to travel and I like the idea of you in a bikini. That’s a win/win for me. Now, come on. Time to have dinner at the Warner household.”
She sucked in a breath and staved off the panic. “If you say so.”
She had an idea the Warner house would be pretty swank. But what greeted her when they got to the end of the drive was of course swank, but also understated and elegant. Sort of a Cape Cod, maybe? She didn’t really know what the real name for it was, but this seemed to be a more historic part of Seattle so several in this style had dotted their way here, though other big, clearly newer modern homes had been erected in the place of the older house that came with the lot.
The front of the house had a smallish yard, but it was well manicured with big trees dotting the area.
Other cars were already there. Plenty of BMWs and Mercedes. She saw the truck though, but pressed her lips together hard to keep from commenting.
“Uncle Toby is here already.” Carrie, who insisted on riding in the back rather than Raven, who’d wanted to. She’d said Raven was her dad’s girlfriend and could ride in the front. Jonah had sealed it when he put an arm around Raven’s waist and opened the door for his daughter to slide into the back. Raven had given him a look but he smiled and kissed her nose.
Carrie had chattered on as they’d made their way the short distance to the neighborhood where Jonah’s parents lived. Raven had asked many questions and Carrie had answered with the openness only kids who were as happy and well loved as this one had. She appeared to be thrilled with the program, with the choice of college she’d made, with Italy and the other parts of Europe she’d seen. She was well spoken, intelligent and gracious.
Jonah had done a good job with her.
“Toby is an architect. His is the truck. He’s got a really nice car too, but he drives this one here to agitate my grandmother.” Carrie shook her head, grinning as they headed for the front door.
“I think I’m going to like Toby,” she muttered, and Jonah barked a laugh.
“You will. Everyone does.”
Jonah carried flowers for his mother and grandmother, Carrie helped Raven, holding the apple cranberry tart, and Raven had the plate with the cherry things. She was so nervous she was afraid she’d break the plate she held on so tightly to. So she concentrated on not squeezing so tight and that seemed to make things a tiny bit better.
An older man who was so clearly Jonah’s father answered, his gaze going straight to Carrie. “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Grandfather.” Carrie went to him, giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Glad you’re here. Come in, come in.” He looked to Jonah and then Raven. “You’re Raven.” He kept an arm around Carrie, but held a free hand to Raven. “I’m John Warner, Jonah’s father. Welcome.”
He was much less frosty than his wife, Raven gave him that. She smiled and shook his hand.
Jonah steered her into the house. The outside may have been understated, but the inside was punctuated by the wall of glass overlooking Lake Washington. Views to the Eastside were clear, even on a cloudy day. There was a dock with a boat and the back lawn sloped down to the water with little clusters of tables and chairs.
“Wow.”
John smiled at her again. “We looked at houses for six months. Liesl is very particular, and to top it off, she was pregnant with Jonah so the hormones and the nesting thing only accentuated that. Must have seen three dozen homes. But when we walked in and stood here, looking out at that view, she simply turned to me and said, ‘This is the one, John.’ And that was it. We’ve lived here ever since. Raised five boys and it’s still standing, so that’s a testament to the architecture of the late twenties when it was originally built.”
“For heave
n’s sake! Don’t just leave them standing in the hallway. They still have coats on and are holding things.”
“This is my mother, Beth. Mom, this is Jonah’s lady friend, Raven.” John indicated Raven, and the older woman, who was maybe five feet tall, gave her an imperious look from head to toe.
“I see where Jonah gets it,” Raven said.
Whoops, starting early on the offensive stuff. Go me.
Raven held her hand out, hoping to get past the statement. Beth took it and shook.
“Gets what?”
Jonah didn’t say a single thing, the jerk.
Oh well, in for a penny. She could have said good looks, but he didn’t much resemble his grandmother at all.
“The imperious-look thing. He does it too.”
John tried not to laugh, and barely succeeded. His eyes lit with amusement and Carrie didn’t bother hiding it; she laughed full out.
“He really does.”
Beth narrowed her eyes long enough that Raven started to apologize, and then longer so she didn’t because what the hell, it wasn’t that offensive after all.
Instead Beth nodded. “He does. I got it from my mother. It’s a good tool when you’re a bigshot like he is. Me? It keeps everyone on their toes because they’re scared of me. What is it you’ve got in your hands?”
“Walnut cherry bars. Oh, and an apple cranberry tart.”
“Bring them through to the kitchen. John, get the flowers. Jonah, for goodness’ sake, get their coats.”
The kitchen was nice, but it was also clear actual cooking happened there. Smelled good too.
Liesl came out and smiled at the sight of her granddaughter. “Hello, darling.”
Carrie hugged her. “Hey, Grandmother.”
Still smiling, Liesl looked to Raven. “Hello, Raven. I’m pleased you were able to come today.”
It was a genuine statement. Liesl was cool, like pale blue, and white carpets. But she clearly loved her family, and that made her all right in Raven’s book.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“Oh, you brought dessert.” She cast an eye at the food, but must have found it acceptable. “We have pies and things, but thank you.”
Also, she had very few filters. Raven knew it was sort of rude, but she suffered the same problem, and so on some levels she wasn’t bothered, though she knew it was sort of a slap. But it was pretty halfhearted, so she must have liked Raven well enough or there’d have been more said.
“I, for one, always appreciate more dessert.” Another clearly Warner son came into the kitchen wearing a smile that looked a great deal like Jonah’s. “You’re Raven and I’m Toby. Nice to meet you at last. I’ve been hearing a lot about you.” He stuck a hand out and she took it.
“You can all leave the kitchen. You’re underfoot.”
“Don’t mind her,” Toby said of his mother, “she has trouble speaking her mind. It’s very sad.”
Carrie laughed and hugged her uncle, who kissed the top of her head and set her back from him, assessing her. “Christ, kid, you have to stop being so beautiful. Jonah’s uptight enough, he’s going to have a stroke when the boys come around.”
Carrie blushed and Toby tipped his chin in Jonah’s direction. “We’re watching the game in the other room. Eli just finished making up a few batches of sidecars if you’re parched. Soda for you, missy.”
The living room was just beyond and also had a fabulous view of the water, along with comfortable couches and a large television some football game or other played on. She wasn’t a football person, though most everyone else she knew was.
Carrie went in and her uncles all cheered to see her, standing up to give her hugs and exclaim over how lovely she looked and how amazing her grades had been.
Raven hung back at the entry and Jonah turned to her. “You all right? I know it’s overwhelming. I’m sorry about the weirdness over what you brought. I promise you she was happy you did. She’d have thought you rude if you hadn’t. She likes a no-win.” He shrugged.
“It’s fine. I’ve got it. With your mother, I mean. I’ll give her leeway. If she takes too much, I’ll let her know in a hopefully appropriate manner.”
He grinned. “You’re so sexy.” He said it so that no one could hear and it warmed her insides that he’d see what most thought of as her biggest flaw as being sexy.
“Still, should I offer to help your mother in the kitchen?”
Jonah shook his head. “She and my grandmother are in there, battling with cutting words and stuff. I don’t want you anywhere near that.”
“Seems to me your dad should step in and take her side.”
“He does when my grandmother goes too far. It’s good for my mother to get a little of what she dishes out so regularly.”
Raven shrugged. “Or maybe she’s that way regularly because her mother-in-law is a mean-spirited harpy.”
He laughed then and people looked over.
“Guys, this is Raven.” He then indicated the men in the room. “Raven, you know Levi and Daisy and you met Toby in the kitchen. The guy with his arm around Carrie is Eli, he’s Toby’s fraternal twin. And you, um, know Mal.”
“Sort of.” He’d been too busy essentially calling her a lying whore at the time to really be formally introduced. Raven was proud she’d kept that last bit in her head.
“Yeah, about that. I’m sorry. My manners were atrocious.” He stepped forward and held a hand out. “I’m Malachi. Jonah talks of you often. I’m pleased to meet you and I apologize for what went down last month.”
“Apology accepted.” Was she supposed to apologize for his divorce? Congratulate him? She had no idea so she just kept quiet.
“And the guy in the recliner over there is my grandfather. His name is also John, but everyone calls him Jack.”
She nodded, waving. He grinned and waved back. “Come over here, girl. Jonah, get her a drink. Carrie, come give me a kiss.”
Raven did as he’d asked. He patted the couch next to the recliner. “Sit here. Those pretty shoes have to hurt and I figure you need a drink after meeting my wife and seeing Liesl too.”
She tried not to smile, but it was impossible.
“I’m old,” he said jovially. “It means I get to say whatever I like and people chalk it up to that. I figure it makes up for actually being old, which is a bucket of garbage. Nose hairs. That’s what will happen to Jonah when he’s my age.”
Jonah handed her a drink and sat next to her on the couch. “Thanks, Grandpa Jack.”
“Girl should know what she’s getting into with this family. She’s already met your mother and grandmother and she’s still here. I figure some nose hairs are the least of it.”
Raven smiled brightly at Jonah, who rolled his eyes.
She took a sip and tried not to cough. “What on earth is this?”
Eli grinned. “That, gorgeous, is a sidecar. Cognac, Cointreau, some lemon juice, sugar and a cherry.”
Her eyes watered. “It’s, um, hearty.”
“You’ve met everyone, right? Tell me after two of these if things don’t get just a little easier.”
She laughed then. “Two? I’m sort of a lightweight. Let’s see if I can finish this one.”
It was a nice afternoon, and yes, it certainly seemed easier after she’d finished the first drink. Jonah sat with his arm around her shoulders, laughing and talking easily with his brothers. Daisy seemed to get along with them too. But really it was pretty much impossible not to like Daisy, who’d cleverly avoided the sidecars.
“Time to eat.” Beth came in and everyone got up immediately. Mal discreetly helped his grandfather up from the recliner and they all made their way to the dining room.
“I changed the cards earlier to put you at our end of the table,” Daisy said in an undertone.
“But that’s Liesl’s end.”
“Dude, it’s not Beth’s end. Please trust me on this.”
Jonah pulled her chair out and she sat. Grace was said and the food
began to make its way around the table. There was no shortage of it, that was for sure. A turkey, a ham and a beef tenderloin, three different kinds of potatoes, creamed spinach, corn, sweet potatoes, bread. It was a huge feast.
“I can’t see why we needed the beef. But I hope you all like it.” Beth sent a look to Liesl, who took a deep breath. Raven pushed her wineglass toward Liesl.
“It’s quite delicious.” Levi smiled at his mother.
“Tenderloin is my favorite. She makes it for me every year,” John lifted his glass in his wife’s direction.
“There’ll be leftovers. She makes too much every year so she has to send food home with everyone.”
Jeez. Who thought that was a bad thing? Turkey sandwiches the next day was like part of the whole thing. Hell, Raven hadn’t even grown up with regular Thanksgiving dinners and she knew that.
Everyone talked around it and soon enough it died down, but it agitated Raven because it wasn’t something without filters, it was meant to make Liesl feel bad.
“Oh man, I think I have a mashed potato baby.” She rubbed her belly as she said it in an undertone to Jonah, who laughed.
Of course Beth had to speak up. “What was that? It’s rude to speak in whispers.”
She blinked several times and Jonah put a hand on hers, which enabled her to keep her comments on the non-napalm side of the spectrum.
“I wasn’t aware I was whispering.” Raven smiled and went back to eating.
“Well, you were.”
Good god, this old woman was a sharp-tongued bitch. It was admirable to a point.
Jonah reached for his glass and raised it. “To mother and grandmother for all this delicious food.”
Everyone raised their glasses for the toast.
“I did most of it. Liesl’s strong point isn’t cooking.”
Raven leaned closer to Liesl once the conversation had started again. “Wow, so here’s the thing. I was sort of annoyed at you for the dessert comment you made, but now that I see what you have to deal with I’m giving you a pass. Feel free to insult my cherry walnut bars to your heart’s content. That offer is only open for today.”