by Candis Terry
She’d had a priority that had nothing to do with snuggling. But Parker made her want to forget that priority. He made her want to make the time to snuggle. He made her want to care. Made her want to forget about all the crap that had happened in her past and start fresh.
None of that mattered because the choice had been taken away.
He’d made it clear it was to be business only between them from now on.
The problem was, she missed him.
At the end of the turkey aisle, a young couple held hands as they selected a giant gobbler. Gabi teared up then released a derisive scoff.
God. Her emotions were squirting all over the place like a can of Silly String. Damn holidays. They always got to her. All she could think about was how during that special time of the year, families got together. They laughed, talked, celebrated their differences and their unity. Just like those damn television commercials. Everything was shiny, twinkly, and bright. Snowflakes, peppermint, and puppies. Falling in love, romance, and diamonds.
Swallowing the holly jolly overload ache in her heart, she reached into the grocery cooler and grabbed the package with the smallest turkey breast.
“Gabriella?”
Gabi looked up to find Lucy, Jordan Kincade’s fiancée, pushing a cart in her direction.
“I thought that was you.” Lucy rolled her cart up next to Gabi’s and flashed a friendly smile. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” Liar. “How are the wedding plans going?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “Jordan wrangled his sister Lili into helping him. When I heard something about pirates, I ran out the door.”
“Pirates?”
“I think he was talking about his hockey player buddies. At least I hope he was talking about his hockey player buddies.”
“I don’t know.” Gabi grinned. “A pirate wedding could be fun. Everyone could gift you with treasure chests full of gold and jewels. You could drink grog instead of champagne. And instead of saying I do, you could say arrgh and swear a lot.”
Lucy laughed. “Alpha male that he is, I’m sure that would be right up Jordan’s alley. Maybe you’ll have to come and see how it all turns out.”
Gabi didn’t want to gush that she’d love to go because she figured the invitation was only incidental and that a real invitation would not be arriving in the mail. “I’m sure whatever he comes up with you’re going to love.”
“I will. But I’d be just as happy going to the courthouse for a short and sweet ceremony. Jordan lived in the spotlight for so long it doesn’t bother him, but I’m not really big on public attention.”
“Just gaze into the eyes of the man you love. The next thing you know you’ll be alone in the honeymoon suite.”
“Or the Jolly Roger.”
They both laughed and Gabi realized she could probably be good friends with this woman.
She wanted to ask about Parker, but she wouldn’t. Instead she asked, “So what are you doing shopping here instead of in Sunshine?”
“Sometimes I just need to get away from the whole small-town thing,” Lucy explained. “Not that I don’t love it, but when you’re a teacher you know every kid and all their parents. A twenty-minute shopping excursion can turn into several hours depending on how many people you run into. If I shop here I get to stroll anonymously down the aisles and complete my list in record time.”
“Sounds like good planning.”
“I’m a teacher. Planning is what I do.” Lucy leaned a hip against her shopping cart. “Today I’m picking up stuff for Thanksgiving dinner. We all tossed some dinner and dessert items into a hat and everyone chose one to make. That way no one has to cook all the food and end up exhausted before it’s even served.”
“A potluck Thanksgiving. I like that idea.”
“Who are you spending the holiday with?”
Gabi shifted her gaze away from Lucy and tried to find something in the store to deter the conversation.
Then Lucy looked down into Gabi’s cart. “Is that a turkey breast?”
Gabi was sure she didn’t mean it to sound so accusatory.
“I really don’t need an entire turkey.”
“Does that mean you’re going to be alone for Thanksgiving?” One of Lucy’s teacherly eyebrows lifted and dared Gabi to lie.
“I won’t exactly be alone.”
Lucy folded her arms and seemingly kicked into mama bear mode. “So who are you spending Thanksgiving with?”
“Basil.”
“You’re spending the holiday with a spice?”
“No. Basil is my . . .” Crap. “Betta fish.”
Gabi could almost hear Lucy’s teeth grind. Then the woman reached into Gabi’s cart, pulled out the package of turkey breast, and tossed it back into the cooler.
“Absolutely not. You’re having Thanksgiving dinner with us. After all, if you work for Parker you’ll be like family.”
Chances for that were slim to none.
“I think the Kincade family table will be full enough,” Gabi said, appreciating the offer.
“Nonsense. There’s always room for more,” Lucy said. “Say you’ll join us.”
Even though it was probably ridiculous to contemplate spending a family holiday with a family she didn’t know, Gabi caught her bottom lip between her teeth and considered it. “Don’t you need to call someone and ask for permission before you bring home a complete stranger for a family holiday?”
“It’s not just a family holiday. It’s a day to give thanks,” Lucy insisted. “Personally, I’m thankful that this year I don’t have to spend another holiday alone. I don’t know what your history is or why you’re spending it alone but none of that matters. What does matter is that the season of giving should really start with the giving of heart and friendship, don’t you agree?”
Taken aback by the enormous generosity, Gabi could only nod.
“Besides, you’re not a complete stranger because you’re with Parker,” Lucy said.
“Oh.” Gabi’s heart stumbled. “I’m not with Parker. I just want to work for him at his restaurant.”
A knowing smile touched Lucy’s lips. “You sound like I used to. I was so bent on not claiming the feelings I had for Jordan I told everyone who’d listen that he and I weren’t together. Even though I knew Jordan and I were already connected by heart. And from the way Parker looked at you in the restaurant that day, I’d say you might have already crossed that bridge.”
Gabi curled her fingers around the handle of her shopping cart and tried to respond but only managed to stutter.
“Of course, I say all this now that we’re getting married, but there was a time I considered wrapping my hands around his holly jolly overload neck and strangling him.” Lucy smiled.
“He does seem a bit . . . strong-willed.”
“I believe the term is maxed-out alpha male.” Lucy chuckled. “Truthfully? I know I’m lucky to have found the kind of love I have with Jordan. And I guess I just want all the people I care about to be as happy as I am. Declan found Brooke. Parker found you. Now all I have left to wish for is Ryan, Ethan, and Nicole. Oh. And Lili.”
“Lili the half sister?”
Lucy nodded. “See, you already know who everyone in the family is. So you’re no stranger at all. Say you’ll join us. Everyone is supposed to arrive at the main house at four o’clock. Bring a dish if it makes you feel better. Just say you’ll come and then actually show up.”
Gabi could say no, but that would be entirely stupid when spending the holiday alone sounded horrible. Basil wouldn’t mind the diss. And she really, really wanted to see Parker again.
“I’d love to join you. But you’ll be sure to let Parker know I’m coming, right? I’d hate to barge in and surprise him.”
What if he brought a date? How horrible would that be? Before she could recant, Lucy smiled.
“Of course I’ll tell him.” Lucy gave her a hug. “See you Thursday.”
As Gabi watched her new friend push her cart i
n the direction of the huge pile of vacuum seal wrapped turkeys, she tried to contain the excitement in her heart.
She didn’t have to spend Thanksgiving alone. She’d be spending it with Parker.
Hopefully he wouldn’t kick her out the door.
Thick gray clouds swollen with rain hovered in the sky and threatened to douse the Thanksgiving Day festivities with a good soaking. Status quo for much of the fall and winter weather in Sunshine. Still, Parker had hoped for sunny skies, or at least less of a biting wind.
With his car heater blasting, he tried not to chuckle as he drove past the gates to Sunshine Creek Vineyard and the huge inflatable turkey and pilgrims. Or he should say, the fully pumped-up male pilgrim and the partially inflated female, who was bent at the waist of her white apron and appeared to be going down on the blown-up dude in the black Puritan hat.
Aunt Pippy strikes again.
Everyone had a quirky person in their family; the Kincades laid claim to Aunt Pippy. When she’d first cleared the air about what their parents had done and what they’d been through, they’d all felt like strangling her, but now he and all his siblings were bonding like he’d hoped. And they’d all agreed that the real tragedy was the misery their parents had created for themselves and had been forced to live with most of their adult lives. Dinner today—their first Thanksgiving with Lili and without their parents—was bound to be different.
As he continued up the winding road to the main house he intentionally kept his eyes away from the direction of his restaurant. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t go there today. With so much work still to be done before Jordan and Lucy’s wedding, it was tempting. But today was family eat-drink-and-be-merry time. Not work-until-you-sweat time.
With the vast assortment of cars and trucks clogging the driveway, he parked as close to the house as possible then retrieved the casserole dish of praline topped sweet potatoes from the backseat. For his food truck fare his imagination could take flight with whatever the hell he felt like cooking that day. For the holidays, he loved traditional. But that hadn’t stopped him from also making a dish of chili corn pudding for his brothers, who were always fans of hot and spicy. Along with the diced green chilies, he’d tossed in a handful of finely chopped habanero, so they’d be grabbing their bottles of ale to douse the flames.
Before he even opened the front door he heard voices. Fortunately they weren’t raised in anger like the last time he’d been there. Now he caught a hint of excitement and laughter. As he came through the door, everyone in the vicinity stopped and unanimously said, “Parker!” then they went right back to what they were doing. A grin burst across his face. His family drove him nuts, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
As he came inside, the house was deliciously warm with the scent of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin spice. Inhaling all the goodness, he set the casserole dishes on the long buffet. A moment later little Riley, his adorable niece, dashed into the room and lifted her arms to him for a hug. Tall like her father, she had her mother’s blond-haired beauty. Fortunately her mother’s selfishness didn’t seem to swim in her DNA.
“Uncle Parker, know what I made?” She grinned and he noticed a tooth was missing. “You’re gonna love it.”
He ruffled her long curls and chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Tell me.”
“I made pumpkin and turkey Rice Krispies treats.”
“Wow. That’s pretty clever.” He tilted his head, pretending to be puzzled even though he knew exactly what she’d meant. “I’m not sure I’d ever think to put all those flavors together.”
“Uncle Parker.” She rolled her eyes and giggled. “I made them in the shape of pumpkins and turkeys.”
“Oh. You fooled me.” He wrapped her up in another hug and the moment he let go she darted off toward the kitchen.
One by one his brothers welcomed him by breaking out the whole fist-bump, one-armed bro hug thing. The ladies in the house each gave him a full-on hug. And for sheer entertainment purposes, Nicki’s cat Fezik scampered through the house, chased by Lucy’s golden retriever Ziggy, and Brooke’s mini Australian shepherd Moochie.
Chaos.
God, he loved it. Good thing too, because in this family it ruled the day.
A knock on the door revealed Sean, his project manager, whom he’d personally invited to the dinner. They chatted for a few minutes about the evils of watching the Thanksgiving Day parade unless they were chained to the TV with their eyes forcibly propped open. When the conversation started to swing toward the restaurant construction, Parker held up his hand, signaling the topic was off limits for the day.
The house was full and loud. Plates and bowls of food started to appear and fill up the banquet table. Autumn leaves and mums in fall colors decorated every available space in sight. And true to her outrageousness, Aunt Pippy popped out of the kitchen decked out in a fluorescent orange jumpsuit, a turkey print vest, and a roasted turkey hat on her head.
Still, something was missing.
It didn’t take a genius to realize that the something was his parents. And even though they’d left behind so much sadness and tribulations, they were still his parents. And he missed them.
His thoughts took a dramatic left turn and Gabriella entered his mind. He wondered what she was doing today. Who she was spending the holiday with. Hell, he just wondered how she was doing. Not for the first time since he’d dragged himself away from her apartment did he realize he missed her too. He missed her smile. Her laugh. Her wicked sense of humor. And yeah, he missed her sexy curves. Not to mention he missed having his hands on those curves.
Walking away from her might have been the smart thing to do. Then again, it might have been the biggest mistake of his entire pathetic life.
But for now, with so many other things going on, he didn’t have much time to think about what could have been if they’d met another time. Yeah, and that was a damned lie. He thought about her all the time. Especially when he crawled into bed at night.
He could imagine her sweet scent, the way she touched him, and especially the way she kissed him like she never wanted to stop.
He wondered if she liked a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner or if she preferred haute cuisine. He wondered if she liked pumpkin or apple pie, light or dark meat, and if she favored her cranberries fresh or jellied. He wondered why any of that mattered and why he’d even let it cross his mind. Because the truth of the matter was, she might have been the one with a running problem, but he’d been the one to walk away.
Refocusing his attention back to the people in the room, he found Sean trying to sweet-talk Lili about something. His sister smiled as though she enjoyed the attention Sean was giving her while she placed silverware at each place setting. A spark of big brother protectiveness fell on Parker’s shoulders and he had to stop himself from interfering. With a shake of his head, Parker realized that Sean was a pretty standup guy and Lili was a grown woman. And even though Parker might want to treat her like a child and discourage any ardent admirers, it was really none of his business.
As long as they treated her right.
Carrying a big basket of homemade rolls, Aunt Pippy walked by on her way to the buffet and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You’re looking especially handsome today.”
“Figured I’d put on something other than jeans,” he said of his dark gray slacks and light blue shirt.
“You’re missing a tie.”
He laughed. “Ties are for weddings, funerals, and court appearances.”
“Well, in any case, stay away from the dogs. They’ll shed all over you and you want to look nice.”
He didn’t much care how he looked, he was more interested in how good everything was going to taste. Thanksgiving provided most all of his favorite foods in one sitting. As a bonus the dessert table nearly overflowed with pies, cakes, and Riley’s clever Rice Krispies treats. His sweet tooth was going to be in freaking ecstasy.
Ryan rolled up with a bottle of winter ale and handed it to him
. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Thanks. You too.” Parker took a drink. “Looks like Riley’s an aspiring chef.”
Ryan wore his love for his daughter on his sleeve, so Parker wasn’t surprised when his brother’s face lit up with pride. “She’s a good kid.”
“She’s a great kid. You’re doing a terrific job with her.”
“It’s a challenge. Sometimes I feel like she’s the adult with the way she watches over me and makes sure I’m taking care of myself.”
“I think growing up fast is kind of normal when a child is being raised by a single parent.”
“It’s not fair though.” Ryan’s broad shoulders lifted. “Her mom called this morning to wish her a happy Thanksgiving.”
“Did she now.”
“Yep. Know what Riley said?”
“I suppose she’s too young to tell the woman to eff off.”
“Well, that’s kind of what she said, only in kid terms. I was proud of her. At the same time I know I should have told her to be more respectful.”
“Ryan? Your ex completely abandoned that little girl. I don’t think Riley needs to be more respectful. Respect isn’t given, it’s earned. Don’t you think it’s up to your ex to be more of a mother than to just call once in a blue moon and on holidays?”
“Yeah.”
“Then let Riley say what she wants. She’ll feel better about it rather than being stifled because of what someone else thinks she should do. Give her some independence now and she’ll grow up to be a strong woman.”
“You know what you need?” Ryan asked.
“The list is too long to choose just one thing.”
His brother chuckled. “You need to have some kids. I think you’d be a great dad.”
“Got too many things in the way to even be thinking about that. Plus there’s that little problem of finding the right woman first.”
“Thought you’d already found her.” Ryan took another drink.
“Says who?”
“Don’t you listen to family gossip?”
“I do my best not to. That shit gives me nightmares and I’m just now getting over my fear of closet monsters.”