The Maverick's Christmas Homecoming Read online

  She moved behind him and put her hand on his arm and felt the muscles tense. “Let’s sit.”

  He nodded and they walked to the couch, then sat side by side, close enough that their thighs brushed. She felt heat and awareness burn through her, but pushed it away. This wasn’t about that.

  “So, tell me,” she said simply.

  “I went to see D.J. at the Rib Shack.”

  “And?”

  “We talked.”

  “Really? You didn’t just stare at each other and grunt?” She tried to lighten the mood.

  “We joked around.” He rested his elbows on his knees, the tumbler of Scotch held loosely in his fingers. “He told me Dax and Allaire used to be married.”

  “I’d heard that.”

  “And yet they’ve managed to work through the past and still be close. Maybe because of the blood connection.”

  “Possible. Although a lot of siblings don’t speak to each other over a lot less than that.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Then he told me about what happened a year ago. How Jasper Fowler kidnapped Rose Traub. How everyone thought Swinton was dead.”

  “Yeah. You can take the girl out of Thunder Canyon, but you can’t take Thunder Canyon out of the girl. My mom clued me in. It was pretty sensational.”

  He met her gaze. “Then he said something that makes me pretty sure his mother is also mine.”

  Shocked, she stared at him, the misery on his face. “What?”

  “Her maiden name was Smith. Grace S. is the name on my birth certificate.” His eyes were bleak. “D.J. said there’s no way, but I’m almost certain she had an affair with Arthur Swinton and I’m the result.”

  “Think about this, Shane.” She struggled to pull her whirling thoughts together and form a rational statement in order to help him. “Grace Smith is a common name. Is it possible you’re jumping to conclusions?”

  “Of course. Anything is possible. But the private investigator narrowed down the search criteria and the population of Thunder Canyon isn’t that big. It was even smaller all those years ago. When you factor in the strong resemblance between me and the Traubs, that narrows the odds.”

  Gianna stared at him, trying to make sense of all this. “An affair?”

  He nodded. “The whole Traub family believes Arthur Swinton fantasized about their mom, that not having her drove him crazy. To the point where all he could think about was getting even with them.”

  The implications of that sank in. “If she had his baby, that would challenge every belief they’ve ever had about their family. And they have the highest possible regard for their mother and her memory.”

  “I know.” His tone was hard, tortured. “It would be so much easier if they were jerks. But I like them, Gianna, all of them. It feels as if we could be good friends, under other circumstances. If I’m right about this, I’ve got brothers. Another family. You can’t have too much, right?” He tried to smile, but it just didn’t work.

  “Some people would argue that, but I’m not one of them.” She blew out a long breath. “What are you going to do about this?”

  “There’s the question.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “Information like this could tear them apart after they worked hard to be close. I could tell them about my suspicions and they’ll hate my guts, destroy any possible connection I might have had with them.”

  “Or?”

  “Keep it to myself.”

  “And let it tear you apart instead?” Her heart cried out against that. It was an impossible choice.

  He looked down, then met her gaze. “How can I trash their mother’s memory? Especially at Christmastime?”

  “No matter when they hear, news like this will rock their world,” she pointed out. “They have a right to know that you might be a brother.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that to them.”

  “Then you’d have to continue living a lie.” Gianna put her hand on his forearm, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath the material of his shirt. It wasn’t clear why, but she needed the connection to say what she had to say. “Hiding the truth is just wrong. Take it from me. I lied to you.”

  There was a spark of heat in his eyes for just a second, then it disappeared. “How big a lie can it be?”

  “Not in the same league as keeping information about who you are from Dax and D.J. But I haven’t been completely honest, either.”

  “About what?”

  She looked down, not quite able to meet his eyes. “I did have a travel business in New York, but I lost it. Between people booking trips online and the recession costing them jobs and not traveling at all, I couldn’t make a go of it. I lost everything.”

  “I’m sorry, Gianna.”

  “I’m thirty years old and have to start over, figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to have to move home with your parents?”

  “You could have told me the truth.”

  “Saying I was only in town for a short time was just a way to save face.” He hadn’t been sure about his long-term plans and it never occurred to her that things between them could get serious. So, here they were. “It was still a lie and I can tell you that I didn’t particularly like living with it.”

  He looked at her for several moments, then his mouth twitched and he started to laugh.

  That was unexpected and hit a nerve. “I bared my soul just now. I’m glad you think it’s so funny.”

  “Sweet Gianna.” He kissed her softly. Just a brush of his lips that was more promise than passion. “If anyone had told me that I could laugh at anything tonight I’d have said they were crazy.”

  “Happy to help.”

  “You have. More than you know.” His mouth curved up again. “And you’re right. Your lie of omission is nowhere near as bad as my mess.” He took her hand in his. “But no one else could have coaxed a smile out of me. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I hope you still feel that way because I have to say what I think.”

  “And that is?” His fingers tensed around hers.

  “You have to tell Dax and D.J. If you were in their situation, wouldn’t you want to know you have a brother?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Okay. Whatever their reaction, they have a right to know about this. Otherwise you’re forcing them to live a lie, too.”

  “You have a point.” For several moments he looked thoughtful. “Assuming I tell D.J., I wouldn’t want to drop that on him until after Presents for Patriots. It’s a big event and he’s got to be under a lot of stress. That’s more important. This secret has waited all these years—it can wait a little longer.”

  She put her head on his shoulder. “You’re a good man, Shane Roarke.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  She was glad he couldn’t see her face, guess how she felt inside. Her stomach was bouncing like a skier who took a tumble down the slope. Just because she believed what she said didn’t mean she wasn’t scared for him.

  This could all go so badly and she would be to blame for convincing him to do it.

  Chapter Ten

  On Monday night the restaurant was closed so Gianna accepted her mother’s invitation to dinner with the whole family. She parked at the curb and saw her sister’s minivan already in the driveway.

  This was her first holiday at home in a couple of years because she hadn’t been able to afford the trip. Her parents knew now about her b
usiness failing and money problems, but at the time she’d been too proud to let on. She sat in the car, looking at the Christmas lights lining the roof of the house where she’d grown up. They didn’t flash off and on, or do anything high-tech like change color. It was just happy and solid and stable.

  Traditional.

  The tree stood in the living-room window with white lights and ornaments, some of them made by Gianna and Jackie in school. Lights in the shape of candy canes lined the yard. Santa with sleigh and reindeer stood on the snow in the center.

  Tears filled her eyes. She’d missed everyone so much and was looking forward to Christmas with her family. If only Shane was going to be here it would be perfect.

  She brushed the moisture from her cheeks, got out of the car, and walked to the front door with the holiday wreath made of ribbons and pine cones.

  After knocking, she let herself in. “Hello?”

  Her mother walked down the long wooden floor of the entryway and hugged her. “I’m so glad you could make it, sweetheart.”

  “Me, too, Mom.” Breathing in the scent of pine, she looked at the living room on the right and formal dining on the left. The table was covered with a red tablecloth and set for seven and a high chair. There was a poinsettia in the center with Santa Claus candles in brass holders on either side of it. “The house looks great. So festive. And I think I smell a roast?”

  “Your nose is right on. Just put your things on the sofa,” Susan said, pointing to the hunter-green, floral love seat by the Christmas tree. “Everyone’s in the family room. The men are watching Monday Night Football.”

  “Okay.”

  Gianna did as directed, then joined the group in the room that always felt like the heart of the home. The kitchen with granite countertops and island opened to the family room with its overstuffed corner group and flat-screen TV.

  Ed Garrison was lifting the roast out of the oven. He was tall and trim, with light hair that hid some of the silver streaking it. He had a distinguished look that could have him reading the nightly news on TV if he wasn’t the most popular math teacher at Thunder Canyon High. Her mother worked part-time in a gift shop in Old Town and loved it.

  The two of them were partners in life and tonight in the kitchen. They were working together to get the roast out of the oven, make mashed potatoes and gravy. She saw her dad’s randy touch on her mom’s rear. The playful way she pushed his hand away followed by a kiss on his cheek and a look filled with promise for later.

  Jackie was following toddler Emily to make sure she only looked and didn’t break any of the Christmas decorations. Her husband, Frank, was on the floor with the two boys, wrestling and tickling. The loud and loving scene made Gianna smile.

  It also made her ache with missing Shane.

  Jackie turned and spotted her in the doorway. “Look who’s here.”

  The children stopped laughing and shrieking to look at her, then they jumped up and started shouting. “Auntie G!”

  “Hi, guys.” She went down on one knee and braced for impact as the two boys threw themselves into her arms.

  Emily followed moments later, doing her best imitation of her older brothers. “Annie G!”

  “Hey, baby girl.”

  She kissed each of them in order of age. Griffin, the dark-haired firstborn. Then Colin, with his lighter hair and sensitive soul. Finally, little Em, her legs and cheeks not as chubby as six months ago when Gianna had come back home.

  She met her brother-in-law’s gaze over the heads of his children. “Hi, Frank.”

  “Hey, G.” He grinned. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am that reinforcements have arrived.”

  “Are they wearing you out?”

  He was a big guy, over six feet, with dark hair and eyes. Hunky and husky. All that firefighter training equipped him for all kinds of emergencies. If anyone could handle this group, it was Frank Blake.

  He stood and grinned. “If I could bottle all their energy and sell it, I’d be a billionaire.”

  “No kidding.” She looked at the three still hanging on her. “How are you guys?”

  “Hungry,” Griff said.

  “Me, too,” Colin chimed in.

  “How’s school?” she asked.

  “I like recess best.”

  “Me, too,” the little brother added.

  The older boy scoffed. “You go to baby school. It’s recess all the time.”

  “Nuh uh.” The middle child shot a glare at his older brother. “You’re a baby.”

  Emily held out her arms. “Up.”

  While their mother tried to referee, Gianna happily obliged her niece and held the little girl close. She breathed in the mingled scents of shampoo and cookies. “I could just eat you up, Em.”

  Jackie separated her boys. “Go watch the game with your dad.”

  “But, Mo-om—” Griff stopped when he got the look.

  Gianna recognized it and knew her sister had learned from their mother. She wondered whether or not she’d do it, too, if she had kids. Her thoughts went to Shane and her heart ached for him again. So much had happened since he’d cooked for her at his place. He was trying to come to terms with everything he’d learned about himself and the consequences for others if it was revealed.

  Now she understood the brooding expression she’d noticed in his eyes, the conflict about family and where he fit in. She’d never experienced that and hoped for the bazillionth time that her advice was sound.

  “Dinner’s ready,” her mother called out.

  Those words sent Jackie into field-commander mode. She and Frank rounded up the kids for hand washing then asked Gianna to put Em in the high chair already in the dining room. Like an intricately choreographed ballet, the adults worked together getting children and food to the table at the same time.

  Griffin started to take some mashed potatoes and got another look when Jackie said, “Prayer first. Why don’t you say it, sweetie?”

  He nodded, then bowed his head and linked his fingers. “Thanks, God, for all the food. And for Mommy and Daddy, Grammy and Granddad and Auntie G.” He looked at his parents then added reluctantly, “And for Colin and Em. Is that okay?”

  “Good job, son.”

  “That’s exactly what I would have said, Griffie.” Gianna was surprised the words got past the unexpected logjam of emotion in her throat.

  The next few minutes were a flurry of passing dishes, filling plates and making sure everyone had what they needed.

  Her mother looked around the table and said, “Okay, everyone, enjoy.”

  “And if you don’t,” her father added, “keep it to yourself.”

  “So, Auntie G.,” Jackie took a bite of mashed potatoes and gravy. “I saw Lizzie Traub at the bakery today. She said you and Shane Roarke were in a couple of days ago. Together.”

  That brought her up short. She’d forgotten how something like that could spread in a small town. Since coming home she hadn’t done a thing that was gossip worthy. Until now. “That’s right. I wanted to send something to my roommate in New York.”

  “At lunch you didn’t tell us you were seeing him,” her sister added.

  At lunch Gianna wasn’t sure about that herself. She still wasn’t sure what they were, but had to tell them something. “I’ve gotten to know him recently. We’re friends.”

  “Do you like him?” her mother asked.

  “Of course. He’s great to work for. Funny and charming.”

/>   “Mom and I and every female under seventy-five here in Thunder Canyon think he’s drop-dead gorgeous,” Jackie added. “What’s not to like?”

  Frank gave her a teasing look, clearly not threatened. “Should I be jealous?”

  “If you’d like,” his wife said, sass in her voice. “And I’m glad you even thought to be after all these years and three kids.”

  “Tell me, Gia—” Her father set his fork on his plate as he looked at her. “Do I need to ask him what his intentions are?”

  As much as she wanted to know the answer to that question, she shuddered at the thought. “Please, Dad, I’m begging you not to do that.”

  “There’s the reaction I was going for. My work here is done.”

  “Ed Garrison, you’re going straight to hell,” her mother scolded.

  “Grammy said a bad word.” Griffin’s expression was angelic and superior because he wasn’t the one in trouble.

  Gianna was grateful for the diversion, and conversation for the rest of the meal was about other things. She could just listen, laugh, be with loved ones and distracted from worrying about Shane.

  Later, after her sister’s family had hustled home because of school the next day, Gianna was alone with her mother. Her father was dozing on the couch in front of the TV. She wanted to hear again about her parents’ first meeting.

  “Mom? When did you know that Dad was ‘the one’?” She was standing by the sink, a dish towel in one hand, wineglass in the other and braced for the personal questions that would follow about Shane. It was worth the risk given how confused she was.

  Susan glanced at her husband and smiled lovingly. “I knew almost from the moment we met.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. There was attraction, of course.” Her face went soft and sort of dreamy. “I still remember exactly how it felt. We were in a room full of people at a friend’s wedding reception, but he was the only one I saw. And I stopped looking right then.”