Knowing he wouldn’t be able to put Jackson off too much longer, Tristan set his laptop up on the table in front of his dinner plate and hit the button to place the Skype call. Jackson was quick to answer, his grinning face filling the laptop screen.
They chatted for awhile about the game’s latest numbers and the bug reports they’d received after the latest update. He’d finished his dinner and set his plate aside when his phone chirped a text alert. Listening to Jackson with one ear, Tristan picked up his phone then stared at the screen, not quite sure what to make of it.
Shayna: Does the invitation for New Year’s Eve still stand?
Tristan frowned, uncertain of how to respond. After how the date had gone, he’d been almost positive that Shayna would decline the invitation for the party on New Year’s Eve.
“Tristan!” Jerking his head up, he found Jackson watching him with raised brows. “What’s going on?”
“What?”
“Your phone. What’s happened? You look like you’ve discovered a problem you don’t have a solution to.”
He wasn’t that far from the truth of the matter, but Tristan wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to share that with his friend. A man who would most likely come back with a flippant response that would be no help at all.
“It’s nothing,” Tristan said, though the turmoil of his thoughts made that a lie.
Yes. Certainly! If you and Timothy would like to come, you’re more than welcome.
Setting the phone down, he turned his attention back to Jackson. The conversation went back to the game issues—which, thankfully, weren’t too many—and then they discussed the items that the game developers had brought forth at their last meeting. All in all, it was a satisfactory meeting, though Tristan hoped he’d remember all that they’d discussed. His focus had been badly fractured—as had been the case, it seemed, ever since his heart and mind had zeroed in on Shayna.
“Talk to you later, man,” Jackson said. “I hope you bring your attention and focus to the next meeting. I’ve never seen you so distracted.” He hesitated, arching a brow. “It’s a woman, right? I mean, that’s the only possible reason I can think of for how you’ve been unable to keep your eyes off your phone.”
“Maybe I’ll tell you about it some day,” Tristan said, keeping his tone mild.
“I’ll hold you to that, so don’t think you’ll get away without giving me an explanation, bro.”
“One day.” Tristan made a show of looking at his watch—the one his family liked to tease him about wearing since it seemed few people wore them anymore. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night. I have lots to take care of tomorrow.”
“Are you going to fly down here for the next meeting?” Jackson asked. “I think it might be important for you to make a personal appearance.”
“I think I can make it. Just get me the information as soon as it’s finalized so I can book my flight.”
“Will do. Good night, bro.”
The connection ended with a blip. Tristan closed the laptop screen then picked up his phone to see if Shayna had replied.
Shayna: What time should we come? And is it still okay to bring something?
The party starts around eight. And for sure, you can bring anything you’d like. We usually have lots of finger foods. Feel free to add to it.
Shayna: Timothy is very excited at the idea. Will there be other children there?
Yes. Some younger and some older. I’m not sure if there will be any exactly his age, but even so, Danica and Sierra will make sure that he’s entertained.
Shayna: Good. We’ll see you then.
I can come by and pick the two of you up if you’d like and I can take you home afterward.
Shayna: I wouldn’t want you to have to go out of your way.
It’s not out of my way…okay, well, it is a bit out of the way, but I don’t mind driving around.
Shayna: I hesitate to take you up on your offer, but I must say, I’d appreciate it, so that I don’t have to find my way to a new place in the dark.
I’ll be by around seven-thirty then.
Shayna: We’ll be ready!
Tristan let out a puff of air as he leaned back in his chair. He crossed his arms and stared at his closed laptop, wondering exactly what New Year’s Eve might hold now that Shayna and Timothy were going to be there. No doubt, the hours between then and the party would give him plenty of time to sort through how he felt about it and how he thought he should act.
Shayna smoothed her hands down over her hips as she stood in front of the mirror, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake in deciding to go to the party with Timothy. The minute she sent the text asking about the state of the invitation, she’d begun to question her decision. She was rather surprised that Tristan seemed so welcoming of the idea.
She hoped this meant that perhaps all wasn’t lost after their rather awkward date. It was how she looked at that evening. Though she hoped that one day it would just be their “awkward first date” instead of their “awkward only date.”
Not knowing what she was walking into at the party, she’d changed her clothes three times before deciding on a pair of fitted black pants that she’d then paired with a long dark green sweater that ended mid-thigh and had a draped cowl neck. She hoped that even though it was comfortable, it was still something appropriate for her to wear.
The knock came on her door at the same time Timothy said, “Are you ready, Maman? I think Tristan will be here soon.”
“Come in, sweetie,” she called out as she reached for the earrings she’d chosen to wear with her outfit.
Timothy came bounding in and jumped up on the bed. “I like your green!”
Shayna turned to him with a smile. “And I like your blue.”
“I hope Benjie will be there tonight.”
It wasn’t the first time Timothy had mentioned the other boy, so Shayna hoped he was there as well since she would like to meet him. “I suppose Tristan might know, so you could ask him when he gets here.”
She lifted a necklace from her dresser and started to fasten it around her neck, but then paused. Not only was it not long enough, but it had also been a gift from Lorne on their first anniversary. It hadn’t been an expensive piece of jewelry, but at least it didn’t turn her neck green. She started to go ahead and fasten it with the intent of tucking it underneath the neckline of the sweater.
Instead, she lowered her hands, clutching the chain in her palm. With a sigh, she opened her top drawer and returned the necklace to its spot in the box that held her jewelry then searched for a longer necklace that would suit the style of the sweater. She found one that was definitely cheaper than the shorter one, and it would turn her neck green if she wore it against her skin. It had come in a bag of sale jewelry at one of the stores in the mall. Thankfully, because of its length, she was able to put it under the cowl neck which allowed it to hang almost to her waist.
Timothy joined her in front of the full-length mirror that was propped against the wall. He reached out to touch the necklace. “That’s pretty, Maman.”
Shayna hoped that Timothy would always find the beauty in things, regardless of how much they cost. If he began to see only the dollar value of things, he’d miss out on the simple pleasures of life.
Gripping the chain in her hand, she let it run through her fist. “It is pretty, isn’t it?”
“Here. Put this on.” Timothy shoved a small bottle of perfume into her hands. “It’s my favorite.”
Shayna smiled down at him as she dabbed some behind her ears and on the inside of her wrists. “Mine, too.”
It had been the perfume of hers that Lorne had liked best too. And while that likely should have meant she shouldn’t wear it for that evening, its scent was comforting to her. Giving her a boost of confidence going into an unknown setting and facing a host of strangers. All of whom would be wondering who she was and what she was doing there.
“I’m going to see if Tristan’s here yet,” Timothy sa
id as he headed out of the room.
Shayna took one last look at herself, smoothing a hand over the wisps that had escaped the twist she had pulled her hair back into. She let out a puff of air and pressed a hand to her stomach to try to quiet the nerves that were slowly building up inside of her.
Knowing that hanging around upstairs wouldn’t do anything to stop the nerves, Shayna left her room. She had just found Timothy in the living room, peering out the window when he turned away from it with a grin.
“Tristan’s here?” Shayna guessed.
Timothy nodded as he headed for the stairs. “I’m going to get my jacket.”
This was the first time she’d seen Tristan since their awkward date, and she really hoped that this didn’t turn into an awkward evening. She wanted to get things back to where they’d been. If it meant not speaking about Lorne for the evening, she could do that. Not speaking about him didn’t mean she’d banished him from her thoughts. Or her heart.
Shayna made her way down the stairs, reaching the bottom just as Tristan stepped into the house through the door Timothy held open. He looked up and smiled as their gazes met. The butterflies’ wings slowed their mad flapping ever so slightly. Maybe all wasn’t lost.
“Happy New Year’s Eve,” Tristan said with a smile.
Yes, things might just be okay. “Happy New Year’s Eve to you too.”
“Are you ready to go? Or do you need a few more minutes?”
“We’re ready,” Timothy answered for her as he went to the closet and pulled her coat out.
When he went to give it to her, Tristan held out his hand. “Here. Let me help your mom with that.”
Timothy gave it to him without hesitation. Tristan held it by the shoulders, waiting as Shayna turned her back to him and slid her arms into the sleeves. After Tristan had lifted it onto her shoulders, Shayna began to button it up. Once it was buttoned, she grabbed her scarf and wrapped it around her neck while Timothy zipped up his own jacket.
“Shall we go?” Tristan asked once their jackets were all in place. “I’ve left the truck running so it’s nice and warm.”
“We just have to get Timothy’s booster from the car,” Shayna said as she opened the door to the garage.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Tristan said. “I have a seat for him in the truck.”
Shayna paused and turned to look at him. “That’s great. I’ll just grab the food I made. I put it in here earlier since it needed to stay cool, and my fridge didn’t have enough room.”
“Let me help you carry that,” Tristan said when she reappeared with the container that held the treats she and Timothy had worked on earlier.
Shayna relinquished the container. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to know what it is?” Timothy asked as he opened the door so they could leave the house.
“Sure.” Tristan went through the door. “Though I’m guessing it’s going to be delicious no matter what it is.”
While Timothy excitedly told Tristan about the white, dark, and milk chocolate dipped strawberries they’d made, Shayna locked the door then followed them to the truck that sat in the driveway. When she’d asked Timothy what he thought they should make for the evening, he’d immediately insisted upon the strawberries. Remembering that Tristan had bought the ingredients for them before and how much Timothy had enjoyed making them with her, she hadn’t had it in her heart to say no, even though it had been a bit pricey to buy all the ingredients.
Tristan opened the door for Timothy and then opened the door for Shayna. Once she was in and buckled, he gave her the container of strawberries and shut her door and then Timothy’s. Some of the warmth had escaped the truck, but it warmed up again as soon as Tristan was inside and driving them away from the townhouse.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
As he drove, Tristan was grateful that they had Timothy to keep the conversation going. Although, he did have to admit that he was a bit curious about what they might have talked about had the boy not been in the truck with them. He had a feeling, however, that things might be different on their way back home since Timothy had a habit of falling asleep in the car once it was past his bedtime.
Tristan had debated between telling his family about Shayna and Timothy before they got there, so he could warn them to behave, or just surprising them.
In the end, he’d gone with just surprising them, although he had told his mom he might have a couple of friends he’d bring along. She had given him an odd look before shrugging and going back to the list she was making for the party. He wasn’t known for having a lot of friends—his personality plus an abundance of siblings hadn’t made it necessary.
The questions would come, but since he’d kept things to himself, that wouldn’t be until after the New Year’s Eve party.
“Will Benjie be there?” Timothy asked.
“Yes, he will be,” Tristan said. “The two of you will probably have to keep each other company. Most the other kids are quite a bit younger than you.”
“I like younger kids too,” Timothy said. “But they can’t play video games and stuff.” He hesitated. “Will I be able to play some video games, Maman? If they ask me to?”
“I suppose, as long as they’re age appropriate.”
“Will they be age appropriate, Tristan?” Timothy asked.
“Yes, most definitely.” Thinking that might be the way things would go, Tristan had made sure to pick up a few games within Timothy’s age range for the different game consoles that were set up in the rec room in his parents’ basement.
“See, Maman. They’ll be age appropriate.”
“Then I think you can play some, but not the whole time. There will be people there you can talk to.” She paused then said, “If that’s okay. I mean, I don’t want him to be disruptive.”
Tristan chuckled. “No worries about that. We’re a loud group, and the kids are always more than welcome to make conversation or play games. Anything that will keep them up until midnight if the parents want them to ring in the New Year.”
As they turned into the long driveway with globe lamps lining the sides and lighting their way, Tristan allowed himself one more questioning on whether he’d done the right thing in inviting Shayna and Timothy. Things still felt unsettled between them, and he had no idea how to answer the questions that were sure to come from his family.
“Wow. There are a lot of cars here,” Shayna said softly. “I didn’t realize the gathering would be this big.”
“It grows a bit bigger every year, even though it is still made up mainly of family and close friends.” Tristan pulled to a stop behind Kenton’s truck, double parking because he knew that his brother would seek him out to move it if they had to leave before he did.
“Can we go in now?” Timothy asked.
Tristan chuckled. “Yes, we can.”
He turned the truck off and climbed out of the cab. After he’d let Timothy out, he opened Shayna’s door and took the container from her so she could slide to the ground. Once they were out of the truck, Tristan led the way through the vehicles already parked there to the wide steps that led to the front door.
Warm light spilled from the etched glass panels on either side of the large door. All the holiday decorations were still up, including the Christmas tree that could be seen through the large bay window in the living room.
Without ringing the bell, he opened the door and led Shayna and Timothy inside. The warmth of the house embraced them as the sound of conversation flowed from the rooms further inside.
At one time, their New Year’s Eve celebration had been confined to the living room, then it was the living room and dining room. Eventually, it had spread to include the kitchen and family room. This year, his mom had instructed them to make sure the basement was ready to be used as well.
If it kept up like this, they’d have to add onto the house if his parents wanted to continue to hold the celebration there.
“Tris!”
Tristan g
lanced over to see Gabe making his way toward them, his daughter in his arms. He set the container on the small table in the foyer, then turned to help Shayna take off her coat. Timothy had made quick work of his jacket and was holding it tightly as Gabe approached.
Gabe held out his hand to Shayna while Tristan hung her coat in the closet then took Timothy’s to hang up with his own. The closet was already quite full with the jackets of people who had arrived before them.
“I’m Gabe, Tristan’s brother.”
“This is Shayna Caron and her son, Timothy.” Tristan rested his hand on Timothy’s shoulder. “I think you may have met Timothy at the hockey game.”
“Oh, right.” Gabe held his hand out to Timothy. “Good to see you again, little man.”
“Is everyone here already?” Tristan asked. “I didn’t think we were late.”
“No, it’s just family so far. I think the rest should be arriving soon.”
“What’s her name?”
They turned to find Timothy peering up at Aika. The little girl gazed at them with big brown eyes. She wore a frilly pink dress with a matching bow headband. Tristan figured the dress was a gift from Maya’s mother. She had a tendency to dress her only granddaughter—only grandchild, for that matter—in frills and bows. Usually pink ones.
“Her name is Aika,” Gabe bounced a bit, and the little girl smiled in response.
“She’s pretty.”
“Well, she takes after her mother,” Gabe said with a smile, obviously still madly in love with his wife. “Lucky little girl.”
Tristan picked up the container. “Let’s take this through to the dining room.” He looked at Gabe. “Is that where Mom and Dad are?”
“Last time I saw them,” Gabe said. “Benjie is downstairs in the rec room if Timothy wants to hang out with him. I think he’s playing the latest hockey game on the PS4.”
“Oh! Can I go see him, Maman?” Timothy asked, his body going tight with excitement.
“Let’s meet Tristan’s parents first, okay?” Shayna said.
Reaching Her Heart: A Christian Romance (Callaghans & McFaddens Book 8) Page 22