Chapter 3
I wake after the best night of sleep in far too long.
The evening had been a surprise with Gavin here.
A more than pleasant surprise. He’s kind and witty, and oh so very nice to gaze upon with that lumberjack look happening.
Tall, broad, blue-eyed, and blond. And that tight Henley shirt beneath his flannel that molded to hero-worthy muscles was certainly appealing.
Can’t say I mind the facial hair either, wondering if it’d feel soft or scratchy beneath my fingers.
Yeah, Gavin was a handsomely built man that Remi would say stepped right out of a romance novel.
She’d recently pulled her sister into the book club mix.
I, on the other hand, had been swimming deeply in that pool for years, and I was not one bit sorry about it.
In fact, I took Remi up on her suggestion of a monthly book club meeting at the Cafe.
It was a chance for women to get together, enjoy each other’s company, eat, drink, and talk about books, romance, and whatever else crossed their mind.
There were even occasions when I’d gotten local authors to attend, to showcase their work. It was a hit for everyone!
I take a few moments to stretch, luxuriating in the fact that there’s nothing pressing, forcing me to jump out of bed.
I am meeting Gavin at his parents’ place later, but I still have time for a yoga routine then breakfast. Before Gavin left last night, we’d ironed out plans for the hike, what I should wear and bring, and I was looking forward to the outing.
Unable to sleep after he’d said goodnight, I made a batch of lemon bars for his mom.
I was excited to meet his parents and see the progress of their decorating efforts.
It’s been years since I enjoyed a holiday with my blood family.
My friends had become my family, and the past three years with them proved the saying, family is not always by blood, but by heart.
Two hours later, I pull into the Driscoll’s drive.
Their home is a one-story A-frame log cabin with an expansive porch wrapping around three-quarters of the house.
Trees shade the area perfectly, poinsettias, wreaths, and garland decorate the porch, and I catch a glimpse of a garden and flower beds toward the back.
Before I exit the Jeep, the front door opens and Gavin strolls out, waving.
And smiling. Damn, does that smile light me up inside.
It’s easy to be attracted to him. He really seems to be the whole package; a phrase Remi would say.
I chuckle to myself while getting out, grabbing my pack and slinging it over a shoulder.
As I walk around to the other side to retrieve the container of lemon bars, Gavin reaches my side.
“Good morning. Can I help you with anything?”
He smells wonderful, like fresh linen with a hint of musk. Very appealing. “Sure. Want to grab that container?” I nod to the passenger seat. “Lemon bars for your mom. And, well, I guess for you and your dad too.”
“I would hope so, otherwise, this may not make it inside.” He takes hold of the container, and I shut the door.
“You’d hoard them all to yourself?”
“Uh, yeah. I know how sinfully delicious they are.”
“Sinfully delicious, huh?”
We both chuckle and walk to the house. As we reach the porch, the door opens, and his parents walk out.
At least I assume they’re his parents, given how much Gavin resembles the woman.
Only her face is smooth, not covered with facial hair.
Good thing. Both parents are tall and attractive.
Where his mother has lovely blonde hair streaked with lighter strands, his father’s full head of hair is silver.
“You must be Tiana,” his mother says, engulfing me in a hug.
“Oh, uh, yes,” I manage as she gives me a squeeze before releasing me.
“Mom,” Gavin starts, “some people aren’t huggers.”
“No, it’s okay,” I counter. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Driscoll.” I look over her shoulder at the older handsome gentleman. “And Mr. Driscoll, I assume.”
“I hope so. I’m wearing his boxers.”
I laugh as Gavin groans, shaking his head.
“Come, dear,” Mrs. Driscoll says, looping my arm with hers. “And please, call me Eliza. Let’s all get some coffee. May I assume whatever’s in that container Gavin is holding is for us to share?”
“That’s entirely up to you. They’re lemon bars for you.” I turn my head and wink at Gavin.
“Oh, what a treat! When Gavin brought those home the first time, it took a lot of restraint not to go hog wild.” She laughs.
“I’m so glad you enjoyed.”
“Oh, I did. By the way, that comedian behind me is Henry, who’ll be making our coffee.”
“Yes, I will,” says her husband, who then steps in front of us to open the door. Eliza escorts me inside and through a living room of which is decked out in Christmas decor. I don’t have time to appreciate it all as I’m led to the kitchen. But I’m treated to decorations here.
“Your home is beautiful. And look at this roomy kitchen! I’d spend every moment in here.”
“Thank you, dear. The kitchen is the hub of a family, right? Gavin says you two are going for a hike. Do you need another coat? Our weather can turn quickly this time of year.”
“Oh, I’ve learned even in the city it can turn in a moment. And thank you, I do have another layer in my pack.” I take my bag off my shoulder and set it against the wall, out of the way.
“I’ve packed up food, water, and coffee in a thermos for each of us,” Gavin says as he pulls a mug out of the cupboard, waving it at me. “But you can never have enough coffee, right? We’ll drive a bit north to the trailhead. It’s about a four-mile trek, easy enough to do with nice views.”
“Taking her to the lookout?” Gavin’s father asks.
“Planned to.” Gavin turns to me, offering me the mug of coffee. “We have milk, cream, sugar, sugar substitute, vanilla syrup, caramel... that about cover it, Mom?”
“There’s coconut and hazelnut syrups as well.” Eliza turns to me and grins. “I love doctoring up coffee. I even have coffee ice cubes if you want iced coffee.”
I chuckle as Henry says, “She only likes a little coffee with her additives.” He winks at his wife and it’s endearing. Especially when she giggles.
The four of us spend about half an hour chatting as we drink coffee and eat lemon bars.
“Tiana, these are by far the best lemon bars I have ever eaten!” Eliza proclaims. “Much more lemony.”
"Thank you.” I chuckle. “I grated the lemons so there’s plenty of flavedo.” When I’m met with curious stares, I say, “The peel; lemon zest.”
A chorus of ahs sound off as I start to gather dishes. But Eliza interrupts me.
“You two go, enjoy, I’ve got this. And when you return, I’ll have dinner ready and will show off the decorations. Henry and I are going to start on the cabins.”
“Don’t go climbing any ladders before I can help,” Gavin says.
“I think your old man is capable of negotiating a ladder, thank you very much.”
“Dad.”
“Don’t worry,” Eliza says. “I’ll keep him grounded. There’s plenty to do, so we’ll save the ladder work for tomorrow. You two be safe and have fun.”
“Thank you, Eliza. A pleasure meeting you. And you too, Henry.”
“You’re welcome, dear,” Eliza says as Henry nods and smiles. “Now, Gavin, you have your emergency pack? And you checked the forecast?”
“I do, although I doubt it’ll be needed. Forecast is only calling for some clouds with early evening rain. We should be back before it hits.”
I watch as Gavin’s mother nods while his father grins, wrapping an arm around his wife. “The quintessential mom.”
“You can never be too prepared,” Eliza says, beaming proudly.
“Okay, we’re off.” Gavin kisses his mother on the cheek and slaps a hand on his father’s shoulder. “We’ll see you this evening.”
“Enjoy and be safe,” Eliza says again, causing her husband to chuckle. “Always her parting words,” he says.
I grab my pack before Gavin leads me through the living room where he grabs a bigger one that’d been by the couch. Once outside, we load up in his SUV and head out as I wave to his parents.
“They’re delightful,” I say.
“Yeah, they’re not too bad,” he says, grinning, and I know there’s plenty of love there. “Still blissfully in love after forty-five years of marriage.”
“Che meraviglia!”
Gavin glances at me. “Can I assume that means something good?”
“It means, how marvelous. My parents have been married forty-years, and it still seems like a business arrangement. I’m sure there’s love between then, definitely respect, but they don’t display their affection.
Which I always found odd, considering my father is Italian, and they’re known for their romance. ”
“I’ve never known anything different. And yeah, when you’re little, you go through periods of thinking it’s funny then embarrassing then inspiring. I’m sure they’ve had uneasy times, but we’d never know. They’ve always been affectionate and silly and hopelessly in love.”
“That’s sweet. So, do you have siblings? Other family in the area?”
Gavin concentrates on the road while answering my questions.
Meanwhile, I put all my concentration on him, watching his hands gripping the wheel, strong and sure.
Since he isn’t in his coat yet, I can watch his forearms flex when in motion, suddenly imagining then wrapping around my body.
I shift in my seat as my sex pulses. Che cavolo!
I chastise myself, saying, what the hell.
“I have a younger brother by five years, Jace. He’s a fixed-wing mechanic at Miramar and will be home for Christmas.
Makes Mom happy having everyone together.
This’ll be the first year in three that Jace hasn’t been overseas.
Mom has a sister west of here in Lakeside, and Dad’s two brothers are in the Spring Valley area.
We’re all homegrown Californians. Mom’s hosting Christmas this year, so yeah, she’s going all-out. ”
“I love that. Any cousins, children that will be present?”