“So what are your plans for Thanksgiving?” Holly asked. She strode along the beach, feeling as though they were the only two people on Earth and nobody else mattered.
“Well, my mom does dinner really late, so we’ll probably have a few friends and family over around nine that evening,” Jake answered. He had always found his mother’s odd dining hours humorous.
“Well, then that works out perfectly.” Holly squeezed his hand lovingly. Jake lifted his arm and placed it around her waist. She nestled against the side of him and said, “My family does Thanksgiving around two in the afternoon. You should stop by.”
“Me?” Jake asked modestly.
Holly rolled her eyes. “No, Tom Cruise— who do you think?”
“I don’t know. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
“Why? Do you have concerns?”
“No, of course not. It’s just that meeting the folks is kind of a big deal in a relationship.”
“I have no uncertainties whatsoever. My family is very much looking forward to meeting you.”
Holly had discussed Jake coming over for Thanksgiving with her family weeks beforehand, stating that his presence was strictly for writing purposes. She informed Kacie, Gale, and her grandmother that no one was allowed to call her by her real name. If everyone listened, then the evening would go flawlessly. If they didn’t, well of course, Holly had her back-up plan if anyone slipped up.
“Okay, sounds good to me,” Jake said. He then threw her over his shoulder and made a run for the ocean.
“Jake! No! This is a three-hundred dollar dress, I can’t get it wet!” she screamed as he spun around her around above the water. He set her feet back down in the shallow shoreline, pulled her against him and endlessly worshipped her lips with his own. He was mad about her, crazy in love. Every time he looked into her hypnotizing eyes, a warm thrill ran up his spine. No one he had dated in the past ever had the power to make him feel this way and he could only take that as a sign that she could possibly be the one for him.
***
The day of Thanksgiving, Holly spent a good portion of the afternoon in the kitchen preparing the meal. Of course, everyone was pitching in, but Holly ended up doing the majority of the work. This year she had a lot at stake and she wanted everything to be perfect. Geraldine and Gale came up behind Holly while she was mashing up some sweet potatoes.
“Hey, hun. You need help with anything?” her grandmother asked. She was dolled up in a pale blue sweater, pearls and black slacks. Holly had decided on wearing a simple, yet elegant wrap dress. The material was very thin and soft, smoky blue, with a low neck and puffed sleeves.
“Nope. I’m almost done,” Holly said with a smile.
“So when are you going to tell us the truth about Jake?” Gale asked.
Holly started mashing the sweet potatoes as if she had a hammer in her hand. “Why don’t you ask me that when this experiment is over.”
Her grandmother leaned back against the counter and replied, “Oh, I see—so you’re really going to toy with a man’s heart all for the sake of a million-dollars?”
“Money talks, Grandmother.” Holly wasn’t about to admit that it was no longer about the money now that she actually cared for the man. She needed to hear the two of them say, I told you so, like a hole in the head.
“Oh okay,” Gale said with a smirk. “We’ll see about that.”
“Mmm, mmm, mmm.” Her father appeared in the kitchen. “Something sure smells good in here.”
He went to grab a green bean from the casserole, but Holly slapped his hand away. “Dad! Not until dinner.”
“Cool it, chick. I just came in here to check on the turkey,” he said.
Holly grabbed the stuffing and headed to the dining room. “Kacie,” she called out. “Come help set the table.”
Kacie practically skidded into the dining room. “What do you need me to do?”
“Set the table with plates and silverware—nicely please,” Holly said, already feeling overwhelmed with the whole shindig and it hadn’t even started yet.
“What’s gotten you so worked up?” Gale asked as she took a sip of sparkling apple cider.
“It’s because her boyfriend is coming over,” Kacie mocked.
“I would appreciate it, little sister, if you would refrain from using that word,” Holly reprimanded. “And remember what I told you earlier.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m only supposed to call you by Mom’s name,” Kacie said with a roll of her eyes.
“The turkey looks good,” Tim called from the kitchen.
“Okay—Jake should be here any minute. Let’s do a run down just to make sure we have everything down,” Holly said. “Gale, what’s my profession?”
“You’re a writer,” she responded.
“Who do I work for?” Holly asked her grandmother.
Geraldine chuckled, believing this whole charade was ridiculous. “No one. You are freelance.”
“What’s my name, Kacie?”
After being asked this same question for the millionth time, Kacie became annoyed. “Darrrrrlennnne.”
“Excellent,” Holly said, pleased.
“Are we done now?” Kacie whined.
“Oh and will there be any talk of my blog?” Holly asked her father.
“No!” he yelled from the kitchen.
“Now we are done.” Before Holly could say another word, the doorbell rang. “Oh Gosh. That’s him.”
“Should I answer it?” Gale asked.
“I’ll get it. Everyone just stay put.”
Holly trekked to the front door like a woman on the edge. She tried to steady her heart, which was pounding and ready to explode right through her chest at any second. Her fears were not about her feelings for Jake, but rested on how this day was going to turn out. Holly took a deep breath and opened the door. Jake looked like his new handsome self. He was dressed in dark form fitting, denim jeans and a white silk dress shirt. He had left the first two buttons undone, which allowed her a sexy peek at that well-sculpted chest.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Jake said with a dashing smile. His hands tightly gripped onto a pie and a bottle of wine.
“Happy Thanksgiving to you, handsome.” Holly went to give him a kiss on the lips, but he instead politely slipped her the cheek. Maybe this was a good thing. At that moment, he had stopped her from kissing him like he was her favorite lollipop.
As he slid through the doorway, Jake said, “Hope you don’t mind. I brought pumpkin pie.”
Holly turned around to find her whole family staring in awe, as though fireworks were about to be set off.
“Nice to see you again, Mr. Sparks,” Jake said timidly. “Hello everyone.”
Tim approached Jake and shook his hand heartily. “Wow—is this the same Jake I met a while back?” he asked, shocked by his new polished appearance. Tim barely recognized Jake without the glasses and flannel shirt.
“Oh—” Jake ran his hand nervously through his hair, nearly ruining the carefully sculpted look that he'd spent thirty-minutes perfecting in front of the bathroom mirror. “Your daughter had something to do with that.”
“Okay, well anyway—Jake, this is my grandmother, Geraldine.”
“Nice to meet you, sweetheart. Here, let me take those off your hands.” Geraldine removed the pie and bottle of wine from his grip and made her way back to the dining room.
“Hello, I’m Gale, Holly’s step-mother,” she said, embracing him.
Kacie stood in the background, grinning like a lovesick schoolgirl as she waited to be introduced.
“And this would be my little sister, Kacie.”
Jake bent down to Kacie's level and gently pushed a strand of hair from her cheek. He was rather fond of the little girl that he’d just met. “Well, hello there. Aren’t you the cutest little thing?”
“I’m not little, I’m seven and a half,” Kacie retorted.
“Kacie—” Holly scolded.
“Wow, feisty too,” Jake
commented with a chuckle. “It’s very nice to meet you, Kacie.”
Kacie found it hard to breathe after Jake unexpectedly kissed the top of her hand. She ran off to the dining room with her face flushed pink.
“Sorry about that. Sometimes she gets loopy around men,” Gale said, amused.
Jake found Kacie’s behavior flattering. “Awe. They start so young these days.”
Everyone retreated to the dining room after introductions. The table had been set up with candles and the good china on a white lace tablecloth.
Kacie stole a seat next to Jake and Holly took one right beside him. Dinner started with Geraldine pouring the adults the wine that Jake had brought.
“So, Jake. I hear you run a children’s group home,” Gale said, taking a seat at the end of the table.
“Yes. I’ve been running the home for the last few years now.”
“I think that’s very admirable of you,” Geraldine remarked. “And not to mention, impressive.”
“I don’t know if Darlene told you this, but I myself was adopted. Naturally, I wanted to give back in some way.”
“You were adopted?” Kacie repeated in awe.
“Correct, sweetie pie,” Jake replied. “Just like you were.”
Kacie glared at Holly a bit dumbfounded. “You didn’t tell me this, Darlene.”
“Kacie, that’s Jake’s business,” Holly lectured. “I don’t go around telling every stranger you were adopted, do I?”
Tim finally came out with a serving platter that hauled a fifteen-pound, golden-brown turkey that was seasoned with butter, sage, rosemary and thyme. The nearby buffet table held the warm dishes: sweet potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole.
“Dinner is served,” Tim announced, placing the turkey down next to the craving utensils in front of him.
“Wow. Everything looks and smells amazing,” Jake commented as his appetite became more enticed by the minute.
“Dad! I want the leg,” Kacie shrieked, holding out her plate.
“Honey, don’t be rude. The man you happened to choose to sit next to has first dibs,” Geraldine said.
“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind,” Jake said with a smile.
“No. It’s not okay. Kacie needs to learn some manners,” Holly replied, giving her little sister the stink eye. Kacie caught her drift, sunk back down in her seat and waited her turn.
After brandishing the carving knife, Tim was just about to cut the first slice of turkey when the doorbell rang.
“We’re expecting more guests?” Gale asked.
“Not that I know of.” Tim cut into the breast of the turkey. “Probably those damn Jehovah Witnesses again.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go see who it is,” Holly said.
Holly came across Todd standing on her father’s porch with a bottle of two-buck chuck in his hands.
“Hey girl, am I late?” Todd wore a Ralph Lauren vest and plaid pants.
“Uh—I thought you’d be with your boyfriend tonight.”
“No. Blake’s with his family in New York, so I thought I’d come by and check out your man.”
“Todd!” Holly said, slightly annoyed.
“Come on, please?” Todd begged. “I’m so dying to know what he looks like. I promise I won’t screw it up for you.”
Todd rarely gave up when he put his mind to something, so Holly relented and let him through the doorway.
“Look who showed up,” Holly said, irritated. “Jake, this is my best friend, Todd Everett.”
Todd sauntered on over to Jake and took his hand. “Hello, gorgeous.”
Jake glanced at Todd a bit taken aback and said, “Hi?”
“Todd plays for the other team if you know what I mean,” Holly informed Jake.
“Ohhhh…” Jake looked down sheepishly.
“No need to be bashful about it, honey,” Todd said. “I’m the most self-confident fruit you’ll ever meet.”
“In other words, he’s harmless,” Tim mentioned, filling a platter with slices of piping hot turkey.
“I have to say that I’m rather hurt, Darlene.” Todd shot Holly a wounded expression. “You didn’t tell me he was this good looking.”
Now Jake was feeling a tiny weeny bit uncomfortable. “Wow. Um—”
“Okay, enough,” Gale insisted. “Todd, you’re making my guest feel uncomfortable.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll stop.” Todd took his mind off Holly’s handsome boyfriend and decided to investigate the Thanksgiving spread. “Good to see you, pumpkin,” he said to Kacie as he passed by and ruffled her hair. He then snatched a biscuit from the basket and sat down across from Holly.
Geraldine rose from her seat. “I’ll go get another place setting.”
“So, what’s up with you two tonight?” Todd asked Holly. “Any special plans after dinner?”
“Jake is actually spending the evening with his family.” Holly helped herself to some sweet potatoes. “So he’ll only be here for a short while.”
“Jake could you serve me some cranberries?” Kacie looked at him dreamily, like she had suddenly been called down from the clouds and back to Earth.
Tim glared at his young daughter incredulously. “What’s the matter, Kacie? Are your hands broken?”
Geraldine rested a plate in front of Todd. “Here you go, sweetie.”
“White or dark meat, Todd?” Tim asked.
“Oh, white please. I’m trying to keep this girlish figure for my man.”
Everyone fell into conversation as the turkey was dished out in heaping portions. Jake felt like he was at a real family gathering with Tim entertaining everyone with funny stories and Kacie doing her best celebrities impersonations. Jake didn’t talk much—he was much more interested in listening and observing. Despite the bravado he displayed on the outside, he was as nervous as a schoolboy on a first date on the inside. Jake had never met a girlfriend’s family before. Holly could see the uncertainty of the situation written all over his features. As far as Jake was concerned, this was a huge step in their relationship, but it meant the world to him.
All evening, Holly wanted to touch Jake’s face, hold his hand, or do something to indicate that she was thinking about him. She yearned to feel those lips pressed against hers and taste the warm recesses of his mouth. Then she remembered where they were and she refrained from making any physical contact. It almost killed her that they had barely touched since he arrived. Holly was highly anticipating that first moment alone with him whenever she could get it.
“Well, it’s still early? What should we do now?” Tim asked, licking his pumpkin pie fork clean.
“Oh I know! I know!” Jubilantly, Kacie raised her arm and bobbed up and down like a windup toy. “Can we play, Scrabble?”
“Oh, be warned— Kacie is THEE master at Scrabble,” Holly informed Jake.
“Well, then she has some competition on her hands,” Jake said, winking at Kacie.
“Okay then. Scrabble it is,” Tim said. He was feeling so stuffed that he had to undo a notch on his belt buckle.
The least bit thrilled, Gale replied, “Honey, you know I’m not very good at word games.”
“Don’t listen to her.” Tim squeezed his wife’s shoulder. “It’s a ploy. She makes everyone feel sorry for her and then when you least expect it, she will whip out some twelve letter word that sends everyone to Scrabble hell.”
“Sweetie, how many times have I told you to lay off the crack pipe?” Gale responded with a roll of her eyes.
“Well, the game is in my room,” Geraldine mentioned.
“I’ll go get it.” Holly rose from her chair. This was the perfect opportunity to make her move. “Jake, um, would you like to go with me?”
Jake was relieved that she wasn’t leaving him alone. “Yes, of course.”
As they made their way upstairs, Jake said, “Your dad has a really beautiful house. It kind of reminds me of where my mother lives.”
Once she was in her grandmother’s room, Holly closed
the door behind her. Without wasting another moment, she practically jumped Jake’s bones and kissed him like a starved woman. Jake ran his hands all over her body and with a slow intimacy, let his fingers take in every curve and detail.
“I couldn’t wait anymore,” Holly said as they toppled onto her grandmother’s bed like falling timber. God knows she could have done him right there, but she knew that would have been wrong on so many levels.
Jake kissed her neck and throat, his tongue driving her insane with want. “I’ll admit that I’ve been dying to touch you all night.”
A knock on the door made both of them jump. “Darlene, Dad wants to know what’s taking so long,” Kacie said impatiently. “Um…why is the door locked?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there in a sec.” Holly stood up, breathing in heavily as she smoothed out her hair.
“Guess we better stop,” Jake said. He found the situation humorous, like they were two teenagers about to be caught in the act.
Holly put her arm around his shoulders and trailed her finger along his cheek. “Yeah— to be continued.” She pressed her hand to his chest and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
After Holly grabbed the scrabbled box from the top of the dresser, they headed back downstairs.
“There are too many of us for this game,” Geraldine insisted.
Holly thought for a moment. “Okay then—we’ll have teams.”
“Oh! Oh! I’m on Jake’s team,” Kacie said excitedly.
“Me, Todd and Grandmother against, Jake, Kacie, Dad, and Gale.”
“Awesome. We are so going to kick all of your butts,” Jake teased as he gave Kacie a high-five.
“Dare to dream,” Holly retorted. “My Grandmother’s quite the wordsmith.”
Geraldine just shrugged and began arranging her letters.
The Experiment Page 26