Chapter 7 #2
Kari loved him a little bit more. He hadn’t meant to ditch her, but he’d never been late for his brother.
She swallowed her pride and reminded herself that she couldn’t come first to him now, or maybe ever.
Gavin’s devotion to family and fulfilling responsibility made her think highly of him, even if it meant he’d rushed off without her.
He was apologizing now, and she didn’t like holding grudges.
“Best bro ever,” Austin chirped.
“For sure,” Kari agreed, but she wanted to say something to Gavin. “I’m sorry I almost made you late. I’d never … want to come between you two.”
Something flashed in his eyes, and she thought that he agreed, that he didn’t want anyone to come between him and his brother either. That was some loyalty. She liked her brother, but she wouldn’t have put time with him before time with Gavin.
Austin pushed out a disgusted breath. “Gav and I talked about that,” he said.
“That’s stupid. To worry about you coming between us.
” He pumped his eyebrows and tried to wink, but he ended up blinking instead.
It was adorable. “I told him you like chilling with us, and if you’re his wife, that’s just more people to love me. ”
Kari’s eyes widened, and heat rushed through her. Her mouth flapped open, but nothing came out.
“Austin.” Gavin’s deep brown eyes held hers. “Kari hardly knows me. Don’t try to make her my wife already.”
But Kari noticed he didn’t seem violently opposed to the idea. He’d said “already,” not “ever.” Her heart thumped quicker and quicker. She hardly knew him, that was true, but she wasn’t opposed to getting to know him.
“Ice skating?” Austin asked.
“Sure. What do I need?”
“A coat, gloves, and a hat. Mama has a whole bucket full of ice skates,” Austin said.
“Okay.” She looked to Gavin. “Do you need to … get more work done?”
He shook his head. “I always take Friday afternoon off to be with Austin.”
“Do you take Friday midday off to be in the spa?” She couldn’t help but tease him a little bit.
“No.” He gave her a half of a smile.
“Was it worth it?” She put a hand on her hip, reminding herself of some of her feistier heroines.
Gavin’s eyes dipped to her lips, then came back up to meet hers. “Yes, ma’am,” he said in a husky tone that was almost as incredible as the warm look in his dark eyes.
Happy bubbles erupted in Kari’s stomach.
“Go get your coat,” Austin demanded.
“Bossy, bossy,” Gavin said gently. “Ask her please.”
“Please go get your coat,” Austin said. “No practice or game today, so ice skating, then dinner, then you can watch a movie at Gav’s house with us. His house is awesome.”
“You want me with you the whole day?”
“Yes,” Austin said, “I just said so, didn’t I?”
She smiled at him, but then her gaze sought Gavin’s. He wanted her with him as well. Maybe. The look in his eyes said yes, but why couldn’t he verbalize it like Austin did? Still, she wouldn’t complain if they spent more time together.
Ten minutes later, they drove up to a gate and fence that was framed by a beautiful slot canyon. Kari craned her neck and looked up the almost sheer gray walls. “This is so cool! I couldn’t see it last night.”
Austin and Gavin both gave her such similar patient smiles that she couldn’t help but laugh. “You two look like twins,” she said.
Austin grinned bigger, but Gavin looked uncomfortable. “Thanks,” Austin said. “You know the ladies love us both.” He pumped his eyebrows.
Kari laughed, but the comment hit her square in the gut. Austin had also claimed that Gavin didn’t date the ladies, so she knew he wasn’t a womanizer, but even the thought of women constantly pursuing him, as she was sure they did, made her a bit sick.
The gate swung wide, and they proceeded up the drive. The canyon widened into pine and snow-covered mountains that were steeper to the right and the left, but not as steep as the slot canyon. She could see that beyond the houses and yards to the north, the mountains were more gradual.
They pulled up to the smaller house. Austin jumped out. “Let’s go get skates!” he yelled. Rushing for the house, he flung open the front door and ran inside.
Gavin hurried around and opened her door. Kari stood and was surprised when he didn’t back away. He was right in her space, and she loved it. He didn’t smell like his usual Tom Ford, probably because he’d showered at the spa. He smelled clean and appealing, though.
“I wanted to apologize again,” he murmured, his deep voice like velvet against her ears, “for running out of the spa so quick, especially after I’d asked you to come pick up Austin with me yesterday.”
“I was surprised, but I understand you didn’t want to be late to get Austin.” She smiled. “You probably thought a girl would take too long to get ready.”
His eyes swept over her face. “You’re saying you get this beautiful without any effort?”
Her smile grew. “I’m pretty quick, but not today. I used all the products from your lovely spa.”
Gavin leaned closer, and her heart picked up its beat. “You look … lovely.”
Kari thought the word “lovely” sounded foreign on his tongue, but she didn’t care as he leaned closer and closer. Anticipation and heat swirled inside of her.
“Gav! Kari!” Austin’s voice came from the house. “I found some of Ella’s and Mama’s skates. They’re different sizes, so hopefully one of them will fit.”
Kari’s gaze swung to the front door. Austin was indeed holding two pairs of white skates. Behind him appeared an absolutely beautiful middle-aged woman. She had dark, curly hair about shoulder length, smooth olive skin, and deep brown eyes exactly like Austin and Gavin’s.
“Mama,” Gavin murmured, stepping away from Kari.
Mama clutched her sweater to her as she came out onto the porch.
Gavin gestured for Kari to walk with him, but he didn’t take her hand or put his hand on the small of her back.
Did he not want his mom to have questions about the two of them?
From the questioning look in her deep brown eyes, she had plenty.
They walked to the porch and Austin said, “Mama, this is Kari. I was going to make her one of my girlfriends, but …” He dropped his voice and whispered, “Gav really likes her, so I gave him dibs.”
Gavin stiffened beside her, but he said nothing.
Mama’s eyebrows went up, but she gave Kari a welcoming smile and put out her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Kari.”
Kari shook her hand. It was feminine but callused as if she were no stranger to hard work. “It’s nice to meet you too …”
“Oh, pardon me. I’m Ruth, or Mama Rue, most people call me.”
“Ruth.” Kari didn’t dare use the more intimate name, especially with Gavin acting so awkward. Had he not wanted her to meet his mom?
“Papa’s resting,” Mama said to Gavin, “but I’m sure he’d love to meet Kari after you skate.”
Gavin grimaced. “I’m sure he would too.” He gave Kari a pained smile. “Papa’s a huge tease. I won’t put you through that, unless you want to meet him.”
“I want to meet him,” she said decisively, jutting out her chin and giving Gavin a challenging gaze. If he wanted her away from his family, why had he brought her here?
His smile grew more genuine. “Okay.” He turned to his mom. “Do you want me to order dinner from the lodge?”
Mama’s smile was covering her entire face now. “No, I’ll make something. Six?”
“Sure. If that works for Kari?” Gavin was now giving her the challenging look.
“That’s perfect. I already agreed to ice skating, dinner, and a movie at your house tonight, remember?”
Gavin’s already dark skin grew a shade darker.
His eyes burned through her in a smoldering gaze that she’d never experienced in person.
She’d written about it plenty, though, and she could hardly wait for that movie at his house.
If the stars aligned, Austin would be too invested to notice as she sidled in close and gave Gavin all the hints to snuggle with her.
“You guys are all talking funny,” Austin broke in. “Let’s see which skates fit.”
Kari focused on the skates and ignored the trembling feeling growing within her.
Gavin was scared of commitment, she could easily read that, but he’d brought her to meet Mama and they were spending the rest of the day together.
She could hardly wait to see how things progressed.
She’d failed last night, but by tonight, she was going to succeed in kissing that handsome man.