by Candis Terry
Ryan laughed and Parker was glad he could get his brother’s mind off the wicked witch he used to be married to with a bit of humor. Diverting attention away from himself was always an added plus.
The doorbell rang and conversation stopped as Lucy ran to answer the door. Parker took a look around the room and saw that everyone seemed to be here, so he was perplexed by who might be calling on a holiday. However, it wasn’t unusual for someone in the family to invite individuals to a cookout or even to the harvest dinner they celebrated with when they brought in the grapes. But usually the holidays were just family. Then again, with Jordan and Declan getting married, maybe future family members had been invited. By the looks of things they had plenty of food to share.
Ryan gave a nod toward the door. “Wonder who that could be.”
“Don’t know.” Parker shrugged. “But I’m guessing with all these weddings, we’re going to need a bigger table.”
Jordan suddenly appeared, snagged Parker’s half-empty beer out of his hand, and replaced it with an old-fashioned glass filled with scotch on the rocks. “Looks like some of us are going to need a stronger drink.”
“What the hell?” When the front door swung wide open, Parker knew exactly what the hell.
Sweet little Lucy didn’t look remotely ashamed of her obvious matchmaking efforts as she winked at him over Gabriella’s shoulder.
“Remember all the shit you’ve been giving me about getting married?” Jordan leaned in. “If Lucy has her way, the shit will be coming at you soon, little brother.”
With an evil laugh Jordan walked away, taking Parker’s bottle of beer with him. Ryan had the audacity to stand there and chuckle. And all Parker could think was, damn the woman looked good in that dress.
It had taken more than an ounce of courage for Gabriella to knock on the Kincade family’s door. It wasn’t like her to turn up at a private holiday celebration when she barely knew two members of the family. But having a chance to see Parker again was something she hadn’t been able to pass up. Unfortunately the dark slash of his brows pulled tight over his vivid blue eyes clearly implied he hadn’t known she was coming and he might not be all that happy about it. Looked like Lucy had pulled a fast one on him. It was everything Gabi could do not to turn and run.
“Come in and meet everyone.” Lucy took her by the hand and led her into the room where it seemed like everyone except Parker had been prepared for her arrival. “And don’t worry, Parker’s frown isn’t directed at you.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Lucy briefly stopped and looked at Gabi. “Well, even if it was, would you be sorry you came?”
“Not at all.”
“Good. Because I’m glad you’re here.” She flashed a smile and gave Gabi’s hand a squeeze. “Now let’s go stir things up a little, shall we?”
As a unit, the Kincade brothers were a visual force to be reckoned with. Each one more gorgeous than the next. Yeah, she might be partial, but in her eyes, Parker stood at the top.
The sweet aroma of a holiday home wafted through the air as Gabi tried to keep her attention focused on those she was meeting. Forgetting names was not the lasting impression she wanted to leave. Making a fool of herself by gawking at Parker wasn’t her plan either.
She handed over the casserole dish containing the honey maple roasted carrots she’d made after debating whether to go traditional with her share of the potluck meal, or to think outside the box. Familiar with Parker’s palate but not knowing the rest of his family, she’d decided to play it tasty but safe.
Just like she planned to do with Parker.
“Everyone, meet Gabriella,” Lucy said to the room. “I ran into her at the grocery store the other day and when I found out she was going to be all alone for the holiday, well, I just knew she should spend the day with us.”
Gabi was grateful for Lucy’s kindness, and she was sure she hadn’t meant to make Gabi feel inadequate about spending the holiday alone, but there it was. Even to her own ears, she sounded pathetic. Determined not to be pathetic, she plastered a smile on her face and thanked everyone for allowing her to crash their party.
A quick glance across the room told her Parker didn’t feel any more comfortable than she did.
Lucy continued the introductions by adding that Gabi was a chef and had high hopes of working at Parker’s new restaurant. “But no business talk today, you two,” Lucy said, tossing her gaze between Gabi and Parker. “Everyone just needs to enjoy themselves and eat too much.”
As the Kincades and Sean all stepped up to greet her, Gabi began to feel a little more relaxed. Ethan, the youngest brother, handed her a glass of wine, and with a few quick jokes immediately made her feel more at home. Though strikingly handsome and interesting, somehow Sean missed the memo that Gabi had eyes for Parker. With a light touch on her arm, he quickly offered himself up as her unassigned escort.
Parker had yet to cross the room and come her way. Still, his gaze had not left her once. Well, that wasn’t necessarily true. He’d thrown a few blue-eyed daggers in Sean’s direction—all of which went completely unnoticed by everyone except Gabi. Normally daggers, or anything sharp for that matter, weren’t a good thing, but Gabi took them as a sign that the evening held possibility.
A woman with electric orange hair, purple metallic eyeshadow, and a roasted turkey hat came out of the kitchen and clapped her hands.
“Bring your appetites. Dinner is ready.”
Gabi had no doubt this was the infamous Aunt Pippy.
“We do all the family meals buffet style,” Brooke, Declan Kincade’s beautiful fiancée, said with a grin. “That way you can sneak between people who are taking too long loading up their plates.”
Gabi looked at the long buffet table and what seemed like miles of side dishes and desserts. She’d been too nervous to have an appetite, but everything looked so delicious she couldn’t wait to dig in. “Do you think anyone would notice if I went straight for dessert?”
Brooke laughed. “No. But that’s a great idea. I may have to join you.”
Sean took it upon himself to seat her and Lili, and then he placed himself between the two of them.
“Nice maneuvering,” Ethan commented as he sat between his sister Nicole and Aunt Pippy. “Wish I’d thought of it first.”
“Hey.” Nicole playfully whacked him on the arm.
“Yeah. What are we, limburger cheese?” Aunt Pippy said.
“Ryan, as the oldest, you’re at the head of the table,” Pippy said when he started to take a seat near the center of the table next to his adorable daughter. “Riley’s next to you. Sorry for the confusion. Guess I should have made the seating arrangement more clear ahead of time.”
“I’m sorry.” Gabi apologized, even though she was thankful to the depths of her heart for sitting among this wonderful family. The bad memories since her parents’ divorce had blocked all the good times. If there were even any to remember. “I’ve probably thrown you off.”
“Nonsense.” Pippy waved a hand. “I counted you as soon as Lucy told me you were coming.”
Gabi snuck a look at Parker. By the narrowing of his eyes, she knew he was surprised to have it confirmed that, yes, he’d been the only one who hadn’t known she was coming. Gabi was impressed that a family the size of the Kincades could keep a secret. As plates were filled and laughter flowed, it was nice, for a change, to sit with those who displayed love and used humor as a form of expression.
At the head of the table, Ryan offered thanks for the food and family. Grateful they hadn’t done a roundtable what-I’m-thankful-for, Gabi sipped her wine and was eager to respond when the family drew her into a conversation.
“So what makes you want to work for our brother?” Declan asked as he tore apart a steaming homemade dinner roll.
Maybe initially she’d wanted to work for Parker for purely selfish reasons, but things had changed. Yes, she was still eager for an opportunity to spread her wings and earn a paycheck, but if
her feet were held to the fire she’d have to admit that working alongside Parker offered an inspiring workplace. Today she was definitely more interested in facing the future with the man sitting across the table than dwelling on the past and the man who’d ruined it.
“Are you kidding? Have you tasted his food?” Hoping to break the ice a little, she grinned at him. “He had me at paella.”
He smiled at that and she breathed a little easier.
“So what do you think you can bring to the table?” Jordan asked her, poking his fork through a glob of sweet potatoes, unaware he’d made a pun until Lucy elbowed him and laughed.
“A challenge,” Gabi said, and then smiled when he lifted a brow. “I don’t believe in trying to out-cook someone, especially when it’s the man who signs your paychecks. But I would hope that I could be a good sounding board for his creativity. I know how special opening his own restaurant is to him. And I respect that. But I’m also not afraid to assert my opinion when an opportunity arises.”
Parker lifted his wine glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
Gabi took a bite of moist turkey and sausage stuffing. The flavor rolled across her tongue as the table conversation picked up.
“I think Parker should be one of those TV chefs,” Nicole said. “He’s got the looks, the talent, the personality. He’s the whole package. Maybe I’ll send his name in the next time they have the casting call for Food Network Star.”
“Please don’t.” Parker gave his sister a smile. “I love you, but if you do something like that I might have to kill you.”
“No desire to become famous?” Lili asked him.
“I can barely keep up with the life I already have,” Parker said.
“I don’t think being a celebrity chef is all it’s cracked up to be.” Gabi hadn’t meant to speak out, but the idea of Parker being ruined by the kind of life being a celebrity chef offered sent a shiver down her back. When everyone looked her way, she hoped she wouldn’t open her mouth any wider and stick her entire foot in.
Though she knew for certain what happened when fame and fortune showed up at your door, she didn’t want any of the nice, normal people at this table to know who she was related to. She didn’t want to spoil anything.
“Guess I’ve read too many entertainment magazines,” she explained.
“It does seem like a lot of those celebrity marriages end in divorce,” Lucy said. “And we’d never want that for Parker.”
“Parker hasn’t even finished his dinner, let alone planned anything as extravagant as marriage,” Parker said. “Let me at least get through dessert first.”
Everyone chuckled and, thankfully, the conversation jumped to the recent grape harvest and the plans for the new bed-and-breakfast cottages being constructed.
Sean piped in that when the project was all done, the place would make people feel like they were strolling down a small European cobblestone street.
“Like Belle’s little town in Beauty and the Beast?” Riley asked.
“Afraid I haven’t seen the movie to compare,” Sean said.
“Well that’s disappointing,” Lili chided with a smile. “How can you call yourself an architect if you aren’t familiar with the wonders of Disney design? It’s every child’s, every woman’s idea of perfection.”
The smile on Sean’s face said he knew he was being teased, so he didn’t take any offense. “I think my university forgot to add Disney to the master’s program.”
“Wouldn’t that be a fabulous job?” Brooke commented and Gabi wondered if Declan’s fiancée had gathered any inspiration at the Disney parks for her new family fun center.
“Can I work for Disney, Daddy?” Riley asked Ryan, who patted her hand and said, “Sugar, you can be anything you want to be.”
“That’s it!” Excitedly, Jordan slapped his hand down on the table. The plates and silverware jingled as he leaned in and kissed Lucy’s confused face.
“Dude.” Ethan chuckled. “You been smoking something funny?”
“No. But I just figured out the theme for our wedding reception.”
“Oh dear God.” Parker sighed. “Groomzilla’s at it again.”
“Jordan.” Lucy patted his arm. “Today is about the holiday. Not our wedding.”
“But, baby.” Jordan cupped Lucy’s face in his hands and kissed her sweetly. “I just figured it out. You’re my princess, and I want you to have the fairytale wedding you deserve. We could do Disney. A different princess theme for each table at the reception. Doesn’t that sound like a great idea?”
Gabi grinned, remembering what Lucy had said at the grocery store about being happy if they just went to the courthouse to get married. So watching how the smart schoolteacher handled the big man who used to knock equally big guys around on the ice was going to be fun.
“Exactly how many brides’ magazines have you been reading?” Lucy asked.
“It’s my fault,” Lili said. “I told him the reception might be easier to plan if he came up with a theme.”
“You’re forgiven.” Lucy smiled at her future sister-in-law then looked back at her groom-to-be. “How about we just go with a Christmas theme? The wedding takes place the week of Christmas. Everything will already be decorated. Problem solved.”
“That’s not very personalized.” Jordan’s happy smile fell like a soufflé.
Obviously aware she’d burst his bubble, Lucy sighed. “Then do whatever makes you happy.”
“I want you to be happy.” Jordan lifted Lucy’s hand and kissed the backs of her fingers.
“Okay. Then do whatever you think I want.”
Declan groaned. “Good God, get a room, you two.”
“If the restaurant doesn’t get done on time there won’t be any reception. Themed or unthemed,” Parker said, tossing a look in Sean’s direction.
“It’ll be done,” Sean reassured them and then nodded at Parker. “As long as you keep helping out on the late-into-the-night projects.”
“Of course.” Parker jabbed his fork into a carrot from the side dish Gabi had brought. “I can sleep when I’m dead.”
“No dying.” Nicole jumped back into the conversation. “At least not until you give me my Christmas present.”
The lively conversation continued through the rest of dinner and well into dessert. Finally, when everyone got up from the table to stretch and attempt to let the lump of delicious food in their bellies settle, Gabi helped clear the table and clean the dishes.
She liked being able to help. But even more, she liked the energy and the warmth of being a part of this great big loving family.
Even if it was only for a day.
After dinner the men shifted into the den, flipped on the big screen TV, and pulled up an NFL game. With their favorite team at first and goal, everyone sat down and started whooping and hollering for a touchdown. Parker took the opportunity to sneak out of the room and go in search of Gabriella.
He’d been completely floored when she’d shown up at the door. She looked so good in that body hugging dress with her pretty hair down and curled around her face. For a moment he’d held his breath just so he wouldn’t blurt out something stupid. Like give away the fact that he’d missed seeing her these past weeks. Hesitant to bring any attention in his direction from nosy relatives, other than a few words at the table, he hadn’t talked to her.
The house was big, but eventually he caught up with her in the hallway where she was blessedly alone.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he said, blocking her only path to escape.
“Sorry about that.” She gave him a timid smile. “When I ran into Lucy at the store, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She promised she’d let you know I was invited.”
“Nope. Total surprise.”
She looked down to the coat he held in his hands.
“Put this on,” he said with a lot more snarl than he intended.
“That doesn’t belong to me.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
; Her eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me to leave?”
“I’m telling you to put on the coat.”
“Newsflash. You’re not the boss of me. If I’m going to leave I’ll do it of my own free will. I was invited here and—”
“Just put on the damn coat, Gabriella.”
He held up the black wool garment and, without further argument, she slipped her arms through the sleeves.
“Can I at least thank Lucy for inviting me and tell everyone goodbye?”
“No.” If he gave his family an inch they’d make a big deal out of nothing. Sometimes on the sly worked much better with this nosy bunch. And he had too much on his mind, too many questions. He didn’t need to be deterred by even more.
Once Gabriella had the coat on, he tugged the front closed and buttoned the top. “Hood.”
Frowning, she flipped the hood up over the top of her head.
What seemed like hours later, he settled his hand on her elbow, then guided her through the empty living room and out the door. Her boot heels clicked on the walkway as he led her through the drizzle and away from the array of cars littering the driveway.
“I’m parked over there.” She pointed a long finger tipped with glittery festive orange polish toward a little blue Kia.
“Right.” He pulled her in the opposite direction. “But we’re going this way.”
She looked up at him through the dark and blinked her long thick lashes. “And this way leads to where?”
“Sunshine & Vine.”
“We’re going to the restaurant?”
“Where did you think we were going?”
“I thought you were kicking me out.”
He stopped, turned her to face him, and settled his hands on her arms. He fought the desire to pull her closer, wrap her in his arms, and kiss the hell out of her. Because that’s all he’d been thinking about from the moment she walked into the house. “Why would I do that?”
She gave him a defiant look. “Because you’re pissed off.”
“Pissed off?”
“Look.” She gave him a stubborn lift of her chin. “I know I invaded your territory, but—”
“You didn’t invade anything. I was just surprised when you walked through the door.”