Chapter 27
Her body felt more relaxed than it had since the fire, and weirdly, she felt more at peace, which, when you got right down to it, was odd because her father was likely heading to Lyntacky, and someone was trying to find something her mother had brought here.
And then there was the fire that could have taken her life.
It was Finch who made her feel good, and not just his body but the fact that he’d opened up to her about himself and what he felt for her.
He hadn’t actually said, “I care for you, Nina,” but he’d implied it, and while she wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, she liked knowing he was right there with her.
Because she cared for him too. Now wasn’t the time to delve into their future, if they had one, but the more time she spent with Finch McAllister, the more she liked him.
Lynx had told her Finch’d been the one to help raise them when they were kids, and she was sure he’d been a good leader in the army.
The man was a born protector who had lost himself since the accident, but Nina thought maybe she was helping him with that, like he was helping her deal with what life was hurling her way right now.
Right now, they had to go through all the things they’d brought from her place and see if there was anything that could be important to someone, namely her father, so she opened her suitcase and got dressed in warm leggings, a long-sleeved thermal, and a grey woolen sweater that came to mid-thigh.
It was her comfort sweater, and one of her favorites.
Socks came next, and then her fur-lined slipper boots.
When she left the room, she located Mabel still sleeping by the woodstove, but there was no sign of Finch anywhere inside the house.
A loud shriek had her grabbing a throw rug off the sofa and moving to the back door.
After wrapping it around herself, Nina stepped to the edge of the deck, she heard another shriek.
She took the steps down and made her way toward the senior McAllisters’ house, where the noise was coming from. The sight that greeted her was odd, considering the weather, but they were McAllisters, who had a reputation for odd.
The entire family were seated around a huge firepit on chairs and wrapped in blankets. Thankfully the snow had stopped falling, but then Nina doubted that would stop this gathering.
“Hi, Nina.”
“Hi, Mr. McAllister,” she said to the man approaching. “Is this a special occasion?”
“Hamish, dear, and nothing special other than it’s all the people Meadow and I love in one place. And now that you’re here, it’s even more special.
She saw some of Finch in this man, mainly in the eyes and around the mouth. He wore loose multicolored pants and a thick hand-knitted sweater with matching beanie.
“I’m sorry you’re going through some things, and about the fire today, my dear, but you let that go for a few hours and enjoy some peace here with us. You go on and find a seat, Nina. There’s plenty to drink and eat.” He wandered off.
She looked for Finch and found him standing with one of Blue and Jay’s twins on his shoulders. His eyes were on her.
Blue approached her next, her friend looking worried, which wasn’t an expression she wore often these days. “I’m so sorry about the fire, Nina.”
“I’m okay, Blue.”
“You say that, but I know you, and you’re not. This whole thing is weird. Jay told me what’s been going on. But if that shit-weasel father of yours comes looking for you, he’s going to be sorry,” Blue said.
“I bet he will,” Nina said finding a laugh.
She made her way to Finch’s side slowly, greeting people on the way. He’d gotten rid of his passenger, who was now running around with the other kids.
“My mother decided it was time to get her brood together for a fire pit evening, even though it’s the middle of winter,” he said. “Afterward, we’re all going into town to watch the lights turn on.”
“I wonder who they’ll pick?”
He shrugged. “Tripp is not one to share until the moment. But at least the town will be lit up two weeks out from Christmas.”
“I usually have my tree up by now,” Nina said.
“We McAllisters have trees that are in pots and still alive. There are about five of them in an area, over there, and when they get too big to bring inside the house, Dad starts potting new seedlings from them. The trees are from the original first one that Mom and Dad had when they moved here.”
“That is a very cool tradition,” Nina said. “Tell me you decorate them though, because I’m not sure we can still be friends otherwise.”
“You don’t want to be my friend, Nina? I must have misread that moment in the bathroom completely when you—”
“Thank you.” She put her hand over his mouth.
“Yes, we decorate our trees,” he said after she’d lowered it. He was smiling now, eyes teasing. “But we don’t decorate until after the town lights go on. Mom prefers it that way.”
“For someone who doesn’t like conforming, she sure has her traditions,” Nina said, her gaze finding Meadow with a small girl on her hip.
“I can’t disagree with that. Now take a seat by the fire, pretty girl, and I’ll get you some warm elderberry wine.”
“Do I want some of your dad’s elderberry wine?”
He leaned in and kissed her right there with his family all around. “Yes, you do.”
It was an odd thing, considering the hell that was going on in her life at the moment, but for the rest of the evening, she felt calmer and, yes, even had moments of happiness.
Finch played with his nieces and nephews, as did all of them. Nina was even coerced into joining a game of skittles. Yes, it was cold, but the fire kept them warm, as did the food and drink. He had been right, the elderberry wine was wonderful, and she was feeling pleasantly mellow.
“Now, Nina. I’m not asking you for any favors, but what do you think of my berry cornmeal cake?” Meadow asked, now standing before her with a plate that held a wedge of cake.
“Are you asking Nina to play favorites, Mom?” Finch said, looking over Meadow’s shoulder. “Because she’s a judge and therefore impartial.”
“She’s just taste testing my berry cornmeal cake for sweetness,” Meadow said, holding out the plate for Nina to take.
She wore a kaftan, over which was a thick poncho, and on her head she had on a matching hat with the brim curled up.
Nina thought about the time she spent getting dressed in just the right clothes before she left the house every day and wondered maybe if Meadow had it right and not her.
Comfort was important. “I want to know if it is sweet enough or needs more honey,” Meadow added.
Nina had forgotten that Tripp asked her to judge the bake-off because LouJean had pulled out, as she was on a strict no-carbs or sugar diet for the month of December, which was just plain wrong considering all the delicious food around at this time of year.
“I want Gaia’s cake.” The words came from Lucas, Sawyer and Birdie’s youngest. He was patting Nina’s knee, which she thought meant he wanted to get up onto her lap. She did as he asked, lifting him to sit across her thighs.
“Okay, buddy, you can help me taste the cake,” she said, taking the plate from Meadow. She broke some off and handed it to the boy.
“Why is Meadow, Gaia?” Nina asked Finch as Meadow was called away.
“It might surprise you to know that Mom didn’t want a traditional name, like Nana or Grandmother, so she went for Gaia, which symbolizes Mother Nature and earth.”
“Cool,” she said and then took a bite. “Ooh, that’s nice. Don’t you think that’s nice, Lucas?”
He nodded, mouth full.
“Do I get some?” Finch asked.
“Not sharing,” Lucas said, reaching for more cake.
“Harsh. I’m your favorite uncle, remember?” Finch said.
Lucas ignored that and ate the cake Nina handed him.
“Great, I’ve been replaced by cake. Want more wine?”
Nina nodded, and he left.
She wasn’t sure how long she sat there with Lucas on her lap. But after the cake, he settled back against her and just lay there, clearly content.
She often spent time with her friends’ children, but having no siblings, she hadn’t been involved in all areas of their lives. Looking down at the little boy, Nina thought maybe it would be nice to have a kid of her own one day. Who would be the father was a thought for another day.
After they’d eaten and tidied everything away, the night sky had turned dark, so they all climbed into cars and headed into Lyntacky to watch the tree lighting. She found herself wedged between Finch and Lynx again.
“I like your family.”
“You know all of them,” Finch said.
“I know, but until today I hadn’t seen them like that.”
“It’s not often all of us are together like that because we’re always away,” Lynx said, and the note of longing in his voice made her wonder if the life of a rock star wasn’t all she’d thought it was.
“I guess so. But it’s nice to see that—the family thing,” she added, wishing she hadn’t started the conversation.
“They have their moments, but I could have done without the mismatched clothing made from curtains and cast-offs,” Lynx said.
“And the lunch in those wax sealed bag things that Dad made,” Finch added. “The food always oozed out the sides.”
“I’d forgotten about those,” Lynx said. “Do you remember that homemade seed bread that mom used to cut two inches thick for sandwiches?”
“I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever forget,” Finch said solemnly.
They kept the stories coming as they drove into town, and Nina felt petty and small-minded because she was jealous, so instead she forced herself to laugh.
“I’m glad the torment of our childhood amuses you,” Finch said, pulling into a park on the main street.
“I wish I could remember your clothes,” Nina said.
“Heartless woman,” Lynx muttered, getting out his side.