Chapter One
Horatio
“So…I found a job.”
I gazed at my nephew Kristoff across my massive dining room table. He preferred eating at the cozier kitchen table, but I insisted on formality at dinner.
The catering service I often used had provided a delicious chicken cacciatore, and I’d savored every bite. Kristoff’s announcement, although not unexpected, did sit a little uncomfortably with me.
He’d lived here for the past nine years while completing his doctorate in psychology at the University of British Columbia.
With his parents back in Medicine Hat, Alberta, it made sense for him to live with his only relative in Vancouver, so he moved into the guest suite of my penthouse condo in downtown.
I’d become accustomed to his company. Busy as he was, he always made time for Sunday dinner. “You have other accommodations arranged?”
Uncharacteristically, he didn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he pushed the pasta around his plate with his fork. Finally, he looked at me. “I’ve met someone.”
“That’s wonderful.” I might’ve been a little hurt I hadn’t heard anything before now, but I was nonetheless happy for him. At twenty-eight, he deserved to have someone special in his life. “When might I meet the young lady in question?”
He tipped his chin up. “She’s not a young lady.”
“Okay. When might I meet the young man in question?” Being gay myself, I wasn’t the least bit fazed by the idea of Kristoff finding a man.
“She is a woman.” He gazed out toward the windows overlooking the North Shore mountains.
“All right.” Where’s he going with this?
“She’s forty-eight and a professor at the university. Although not my professor. We met at a gathering for graduate students and advisors. She teaches mechanical engineering. She’s, like, freaking brilliant.”
I took a moment. “Kristoff, I’m certain you can do the math. She’s twenty years older than you.” Not that I was prudish, but he was barely starting his life, and here he was, looking at an older woman. “Not to be crass, but it can be difficult for a woman to conceive at—”
“She’s already got three kids. Eighteen, twenty-one, and twenty-six.”
“Her eldest is two years younger than you?” Keeping my cool was becoming increasingly challenging.
He jutted his chin toward me. “Yes. And they’ve all accepted me. Jennifer and I are flying to Las Vegas tomorrow night to get married. I wanted you to be the first to know. I’ll tell my parents tonight.”
“I’m honored.” I gave myself an internal shake. Alienating him with my prejudices was a bad idea. He needed to know he could count on me, no matter what. I cleared my throat. “What would you like as a wedding present?”
“Your support.” Said quickly and firmly.
“You have it.” I straightened. “We’re family, Kristoff. Whatever happens, whatever you need, you just have to ask, okay? Come to me. I won’t judge. I’ll help. I’m sorry you felt you had to keep the relationship secret all this time. I would’ve welcomed Jennifer and her children.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
I flushed. “Okay, maybe I might’ve tried to talk you out of it first. Women might live longer than men, but you’ll be heartbroken when she passes.”
“Or I might die first.” He met my gaze, those piercing green eyes so achingly familiar.
I had those unique irises. As did his mother. How will Janelle react? Should I call her to prepare her?
Kristoff gazed away for a moment before turning back. “I’ve taken a position with the university in the student counseling center. I think it’s important the students have access to counselors who’ve recently been in their shoes.”
Tactfully, I didn’t point out that wouldn’t always be the case.
Time was a cruel mistress as she marched on unrelentingly.
My forty-one years were proof of that. Now, my beloved nephew, thirteen years my junior, was finding matrimonial happiness that had thus far evaded me.
I’d dated a few men over the years—a few even seriously—but I hadn’t met a man who made me want to settle down.
None of them had me longing to share my space.
You’re too set in your ways.
That was a distinct possibility.
“Are you seeing Jennifer tonight?”
Kristoff shook his head. “She wants one night with her kids. They’re going to the movies and then dinner. She wants them to know they’ll always come first. As it should be.”
“And you’re going to be a stepfather.”
“I am.” His grin lit his face. “I can’t wait.”
Will it be smooth sailing? Do you have the ability to deal with conflict if it’s not?
After a moment, I scoffed at the notion. He had a PhD in clinical psychology. In my estimation, he could handle anything. “Well, I’m happy for you. I want you to seriously consider a gift I might bestow upon you.”
His eyes flashed.
Ah. “Out with it.”
His gaze skittered away, again settling on the windows. Finally, he drew a breath. “I’m worried about you.”
I sputtered. “Whatever for? I’m fine—”
“You’re going to be lonely. Living up here in your castle above the masses.”
“Now, Kristoff, that’s unfair.”
“Is it?” He arched an eyebrow. “You take a car to work, even though it’s five blocks away. You have groceries delivered, meals prepared, and you even exercise in the condo. You’re either at work or here. Without me, I can’t see you’d have any company.”
In return, I arched an eyebrow. “Did it ever occur to you that I didn’t have company because you’ve been here?”
“I call bullshit. This place is enormous enough I’d not be in the way. And you know I would’ve left in a heartbeat if you’d met someone.”
“Fair point.” I pressed the linen napkin to the table. “I’m set in my ways, Kristoff. And that’s fine. So, no worries about me. Put me out of your mind and embark upon your new life.” I hesitated. “But you were going to ask something.”
He drew in a sharp breath and let it out slowly.
“Out with it, young man. I’m getting older as you dawdle.”
Which was uncharacteristic of him.
“Jennifer’s eldest…would like to move out.”
“The twenty-six-year-old still lives at home?”
He winced. “Between the squeeze in the rental market and the sky-high property prices, Jennifer felt he was better off staying under her roof.”
“Okay.” Both things were true. “And it’ll be awkward now that you’re moving in?”
“I was happy for Dade to stay as long as he wanted. Just…he confided he wants to go. But he’s pursuing his dream and…that’s not always steady work.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s a contractor.” Kristoff pushed the words out. “And it’s been a tough few years for the industry, but things are turning around. He’s got some work coming up. Plus, Jennifer lives in Kerrisdale. The work is in downtown Vancouver and the North Shore.”
“I take it he doesn’t have a car.” Kerrisdale wasn’t that far from downtown, although the trip over the Lion’s Gate Bridge to North Vancouver would be a pain. Contractor felt vague, but I wasn’t overly concerned. I considered. “This would make you happy?”
Kristoff lit. “It would. He’s happy to do the stuff I do. You know, heating the food, cleaning the dishes, and…”
Yeah. He didn’t actually do that much. Between my cleaning service and the caterer, I had little that wasn’t taken care of.
Still, my nephew had asked for little from me during all the years he’d lived here.
I’d happily paid for his education and had sheltered him so he wouldn’t have to either work or take on debt.
He could go into this marriage with nothing dragging him down.
That thought brought me a measure of pride. “Let me meet the young man…”
“Dade.”
“Dade.” I imprinted the name into my memory. “If he’s agreeable, then I’m certain it will work.” I’d make it work, for Kristoff’s sake.
“That’s great. Honestly, Uncle, you’ll love him like I do. He’s just…loveable, you know.”
No, I was quite certain I didn’t know. Nothing about having a twenty-something I didn’t know in my house appealed.
If it turned out disastrously, I would find the young man some form of accommodation somewhere and quietly pay.
God knew I had enough money. I rose. “All right. Well, best of luck with the marriage. I look forward to hosting your little clan one night when you’re back. ”
Kristoff stood as well. He made his way over to my side of the table, then, uncharacteristically, pulled me into a hug. “Thank you, Uncle, for everything.”
After a moment, I returned the hug. He hadn’t pointed out the fact I didn’t have a lot of physical contact, but that reality faced me starkly. Maybe I would try dating again. Once you’ve settled the new boy. “When do you want Dade to move in?”
“Next weekend?”
Today was Sunday, so that gave me a week to set everything up. “And do you want me to send your things to your new home?”
Kristoff blinked. “Could you do that? I’ll box it up tonight. I don’t have much—”
I waved him off. “Whatever you need, just ask, all right?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Before he could hug me again, I headed to my room.
What have I gotten myself into?