Dinner wound down as they all declared they were much too full for dessert, although the kids managed to squeeze in a bite of cake before their mothers declared it bath time. As Kate went to get Jonathan ready for bed, Alex roped Karise into helping her wrangle the twins. Jane and Zoe were sitting on the floor playing with Zoe’s pixie dolls. Karise couldn’t help noting that Jane seemed to be faring better than Karise had in that department.
“You guys should go dancing after the little ones are in bed. I can babysit.” Lani surprised them with the offer.
Alex paused, looking to Daniel and raising an eyebrow. He turned to look at Lani, as if trying to decipher her intentions.
“Please let me. When I’m in America, it’s my only chance to be a normal teenager.” The girl had perfected the pleading face.
Daniel softened. “Does everyone even want to go out?”
“I never in a million years thought I’d say this, but I’m too tired to go dancing.” Alex was the first to answer, looking slightly horrified at the words that had tumbled out.
“I think we all are,” Karise reassured her.
“But you could go do something,” Lani persisted. “Karise got engaged today! That has to be worth celebrating.”
“You know what?” Devon stepped in. “She’s right. We’re together for the first time ever, Karise is getting married, Jane and I are finally going to have our family – we do need to celebrate. Thank you for the offer, Lani.”
“We don’t have to go all the way into the city,” Gavin suggested. “I think there’s a pub in downtown Napa that has a nice patio with some live music.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay with so many kids?” Aidan hesitated.
“The little ones will be asleep, so that just leaves me and Zoe. What time do you want her in bed?”
“Eight,” Aidan and Karise both answered. It was his question to answer, but she was proud she knew the answer too.
“That gives us a whole hour to watch a little TV and maybe paint our toenails.”
“Can we, can we, can we, Daddy?” Zoe hung from his leg and looked up at him with her most imploring eyes. “Please?”
“Do you promise to be good? To mind Lani?”
Zoe nodded, beaming at him. She knew she’d won. And just like that, plans changed gears. The little ones were bathed and put to bed while Zoe was tucked in on the couch, delighted to be chatting with a real-live queen. Karise couldn’t blame her. She was a little awe-struck by the 17-year-old, too. The young woman would have stood out even if her world had been a mundane one. Her perfect olive skin was even prettier against the deep pink dress she wore. The occasional tendril of rich brown hair found its way loose from the braid cascading down her back, perfectly framing her wide chocolate eyes, straight nose and full lips. There was a hint of a natural pout to those lips, making Karise think Daniel would’ve had his hands full if Lani had gone to public high school.
Lani, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to her physical beauty. At the moment, she had her bare feet propped up on the Nichols’s coffee table as she painted her toenails and discussed what color they should paint Zoe’s toes.
“There will be no living with her after this,” Aidan predicted, coming up to stand by Karise.
“Our day alone kind of got shot, didn’t it?” Karise was loving every minute of this newfound connection with her family, but it occurred to her Aidan might have appreciated a quieter celebration.
He pulled her up against him, nuzzling her neck in a way that made her wish they were alone. “There will be others.”
“The day isn’t over yet,” she offered hopefully. He really was going to have to stop what he was doing or she was going to wind up making Devon angry at her again. He smiled against her shoulder.
Karise was getting ready to climb out of her skin. She wasn’t going to be any use to anybody if she didn’t get away from him.
“I’m going to go freshen up.” She stepped away from him while she still could. “My closet is open to anyone who wants it.”
“Mine, too,” Kate offered.
Alex took Karise up on her offer, and the sisters made their way back to the cottage for Alex to change.
“This is kind of fun, isn’t it?” Alex flicked through hangers of clothes, debating what to wear.
“It is.” Karise grew serious, clearing her throat as she contemplated how to say what she needed to. “I’m sorry, Alex.”
Alex turned to her, the dress in her hand forgotten as she regarded Karise.
“You tried to be a sister to me, several times, and I turned you away. I’m sorry for the years I cost us.”
“I used to be pretty pissed about that,” Alex stated bluntly. “But time softened it. And then Devon told me what you’d said to him, about how you felt like you broke our family up. It made me sorry I didn’t try harder.”
Karise looked around the room, thinking. Her gaze finally landed on Alex. “I’m glad you’re here now. If Victoria gave us nothing else, she gave us that.”
“Yeah, I guess she did.” Alex smiled at Karise. “For what it’s worth, I’m happy to have a sister. Especially one with cute clothes. Can I borrow this?”
“Absolutely. You can have it.” Karise didn’t make the offer out of generosity. She knew once she’d seen Alex in the emerald green dress, she’d never feel confident in it again. The color and cut were much more suited to her older sister than her. Together, they picked out a deep blue dress for Karise to wear. The two chatted easily as they freshened their makeup and fixed their hair. It was a simple moment but one to treasure nonetheless. It was the kind of moment she wanted Zoe to have someday.
“I like your tattoo.” Karise noticed Alex’s ornate armband for the first time.
“Thanks.” Alex smiled in a way that told Karise there was a pleasant memory that went along with the tattoo. “Daniel has a matching one.”
Karise shook her head. She could just picture the two of them, all tanned and perfect, running around their island with matching tattoos. “You two are too perfect. Your whole family is so exotic and beautiful. We must look like total bumpkins to you.”
“Not at all, although I wish someone had photographic evidence of you chasing goats in your undies.”
“I’m going to kill Gavin,” Karise muttered as she put on her lipstick.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
KARISE MIGHT NOT have made good on her threat to kill Gavin, but it was the first thing she brought up when she saw him. He laughed in response. She might have given in to the temptation to flick his forehead if Aidan hadn’t intervened.
As it turned out, once the women were dressed for the evening, they found their second wind. Everyone piled into two cars to caravan into town. Lani ushered them out with reassurances that they’d be fine for as long as needed.
“What a nice young woman,” Kate observed as they pulled away. “You’d think, given who she is, she’d be spoiled or something.”
“I keep trying to picture one of the British royals offering to babysit and just can’t get there.” Gavin took his eyes off the road long enough to glance over at Kate.
In the backseat, Karise curled up against Aidan’s side, happy for any chance to touch him. “I think she’s had a bit of a rough life. Her parents were killed when she was really little, so Daniel raised her. She was about twelve when Alex came into the picture – and I’m pretty sure they met when Alex saved Lani from an assassination attempt. I never did hear the whole story. Alex doesn’t talk about it much.”
“Do you ever feel like your life is the boring one?” Kate asked, slapping Gavin’s arm. “We should have more adventure.”
“Every day is an adventure with you, love.”
Kate made a face at him. “You’re just trying to charm your way out of this.”
“There was a time I had to bargain with you to get you to leave the dishes in the sink. Now I’m in trouble for not providing enough adventure?”
Kate’s face brightened. “That was
a fun time.”
Karise looked over at Aidan, wondering what memories they would make together. “I have to thank you, Kate, for being so persistent.”
“I needed the push from Jessica and Liz.” Kate waved off the praise. “I came so close to losing Gavin because I was so scared to let go and just love him.”
Gavin took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles. “You weren’t going to lose me. I loved you from the moment you called me pretentious.”
“I didn’t call you pretentious, just that picture.”
Aidan took their squabble as his chance to whisper in Karise’s ear. “Have you thought about a date?”
“Soon,” was all Karise knew. “I don’t even care about the wedding. I just want to be married to you.”
“Don’t care about the wedding?” Kate zeroed in on that statement. “You can’t deprive me of putting together your wedding. I’ve been planning it for months!”
Aidan laughed outright at that. “I appreciate your confidence.”
“I’m not sure what to make of that,” Karise admitted. “So, what does my wedding look like?”
Kate didn’t hesitate. “Tasteful, elegant, simple. I’m thinking persimmon for the color, poppies for the flowers.”
“Okay, yeah, that does sound pretty spot on.”
“What color is persimmon?” Aidan wondered.
“Orange.” Gavin didn’t miss a beat.
“I don’t know if I’m impressed or worried for you, man.” Aidan looked at Gavin like he was an alien.
“It’s more of a red-orange,” Kate corrected. “But you’re impressed, Aidan. Admit it.”
“Name the date, and I know Kate will free up the winery for you,” Gavin added. “If the president himself was on a wine tour that day, she’d give him the boot for you two.”
Karise was amused by the conversation. “We’ll talk about it. And thank you.”
They pulled into the parking lot, followed closely by Devon’s rental. As the little group went to find a table, Aidan hung back. He took both of Karise’s hands in his, looking deep into her eyes.
“I’m worried I’ve pushed you too hard, or that you’ll get swept along by Kate’s enthusiasm and regret it. I want you to be happy; I want our wedding to be as simple or as spectacular as you want it to be. Whether it’s tomorrow or a year from now, my only request is that you make it what you want it to be.”
“I think we should talk to Zoe before we pick a date. I want to be sure she’s okay with whatever we choose.”
“That’s one of the many things I love about you.” He kissed her hands. “What do you choose, though?”
“Next week?” she suggested with a half a laugh. “I feel like I’ve spent my entire life waiting for you, and now you’re here and you’re mine and I don’t want to wait anymore. I want to marry you and chase goats with you and raise babies with you and make beautiful houses in my spare time.”
“Then next week it is.” He took her head in his hands, tipping her face up so he could meet her in a kiss. Her heart swelled within her. This was really happening. As he led her to join the others, he glanced over with a grin. “I would like to point out, though, that chasing goats came before raising babies.”
“A slip of the tongue,” she promised. “I prefer babies to goats.”
When they took their seats, Aidan wasted no time before turning to Devon. “How soon do you think you could get Karise’s father up here?”
Devon was instantly wary. “Why?”
“Karise and I talked about it, and we’d like to get married while you’re all still here to be at the wedding.”
Devon’s eyes flew to Karise. “Are you pregnant?”
“What? No! You are the second person to ask that today.” Karise flushed.
“Who else asked that today?” Aidan wondered.
“This just seems so fast,” Devon said at the same time.
Karise answered Aidan first, “Gary—because I’m so tired, I guess. I assured him I’m not.” Then she turned to Devon, “I’ve done everything in my life on somebody else’s schedule. Aidan asked me to set the schedule for this one thing, and I want to do it now. I want you to be here. I don’t want to wait for the right time; I’m declaring now the right time.”
“We’ll come back, you know.” Devon took her hand in his, studying her face. “I just got you back, and now you want me to give you away already.”
Karise put her hand to his face, wondering how she could love him so much after so many years of refusing to even say his name. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m sorry for the years I cost us, but I’m here now.”
“You can stop apologizing for that any time now,” Alex interrupted. “I think it’s a great idea to have the wedding while we’re still here. And you’re welcome to honeymoon in Tuwanga.”
“It is a lovely honeymoon spot,” Jane agreed. “And if you want to pop over to Ecuador while you’re out and about, you’re always welcome with us.”
The conversation moved on. It was some time later when Karise heard Devon lean over to tell Aidan he’d speak with Pablo the next day to see what they could arrange. As the evening wore on, it got harder to hear as more people trickled in, the vast majority of them dressed like cowboys.
“This is not your typical Napa crowd,” Karise observed with a measure of amusement.
“There’s a rodeo passing through. I remember Elsie saying something about it yesterday,” Kate explained. “I thought about seeing if everyone wanted to take the kids to check it out.”
Alex grabbed Daniel’s arm, giving him a look that only he understood. To the rest of the group, she said, “I’m not feeling well; I think I’d better head back.”
Karise didn’t think anybody else bought the line any more than she did, but they all let it slide. The tab was settled after a little squabbling over who would get it; then they all piled back into their respective cars to caravan back to the winery.
The instant Devon parked the car at Kate’s, Daniel was out of it like a shot. Alex paused long enough to notice the truck sitting in the driveway that hadn’t been there before. She shook her head and followed Daniel into the house. The group in Gavin’s car exchanged curious glances before scurrying to follow inside. They skidded to a halt inside, causing a cartoon pileup. Karise blinked in surprise, taking a moment to register what she was seeing.
Daniel had a young man by the throat, backing him toward the door with murderous rage in his eyes. Alex was lecturing Lani in hushed tones riddled with fury. The girl was crying softly. Occasionally, she’d interrupt with an attempted explanation, only to be silenced by Alex, who wasn’t finished railing at her.
Karise knew she should go somewhere else to give the family privacy, but she was riveted to her spot. Besides, where would they go? The house’s open floor plan didn’t exactly allow for privacy on this floor. Unless they piled into a bedroom, there wasn’t really anywhere to go. They’d step outside, but Daniel was out there with the mystery man. His voice had risen so they could catch most of the conversation despite the wall between them.
Devon slipped outside; Karise had the distinct impression it was to keep Daniel from doing something he might regret. Whoever the guy was, Daniel and Alex knew him and were not pleased with his presence.
“Maybe we should get Zoe and sneak out,” Aidan whispered in Karise’s ear.
“You are not leaving us alone.” Kate grabbed his shirt sleeve.
Gavin took it all in. “I am so glad we have a son.”
“What if the next one is a girl?” Kate reminded him.
“Maybe we should stop while we’re ahead.”
Alex ended her lecture with a hug and an admonishment for Lani to gather her things so they could go to the hotel. Jane excused herself to help Alex round up the twins. The truck outside roared to life, but Daniel didn’t return until the young man’s taillights had disappeared. He stood guard at the door, arms crossed, until he was certain the truck wasn’t going to turn around.
Devon was the first to enter the house, eventually followed by Daniel. He turned to his brother-in-law. “It’s not so funny now, is it?”
Without missing a beat or even turning from his course, he punched Devon in the arm. Devon laughed but rubbed the injury.
“I’m taking away your phone and locking you in your room until you’re 35.” Daniel stopped in front of Lani, his expression showing no sign of humor. “You knew Aaron Johnston was in town when you asked to come along, didn’t you? How long have you been planning this?”
The young woman’s tears began anew. There was nothing petulant about them. They weren’t the tears of a teenager who’d been busted with her boyfriend; they were tears of true mourning. Karise’s heart broke for the girl. If nobody else comforted her soon, she was going to.
Daniel looked down at Lani a moment before softening, opening his arms to pull her into a hug. He kissed the top of her head and whispered something only she could hear. The girl nodded and quieted, though her shoulders still shook.
“Now can we gather up Zoe and get out of here?” Aidan tried again.
Kate waved him away. He took that as all the approval he needed, making a beeline for his sleeping child. Karise gave Kate a hug and promised to call her in the morning. She’d have apologized for the spectacle her family had created, but she really had no idea what to say.
She was halfway to Aidan’s house with him when it hit her she didn’t live there or have clothes there. It had just seemed so natural to climb in his truck beside him when it came time to go. She admonished Aidan for not saying anything, to which he replied he’d been hoping she wouldn’t notice.
“But I don’t have any clothes.”
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