Until There Was You

by Unknown

  She and Luke had gone to his mother’s house shortly after a late breakfast on Thanksgiving to help set the table and get everything ready for the “feast,” as Brandon called it. All of Luke’s siblings were there and crowded in the kitchen. By the time they’d arrived, the dining table was beautifully set with sparkling crystal and ornate flatware, the nearby sideboard loaded with dishes Ruth and Brandon had prepared.

  “Catherine and Phoenix, after dinner we’re overloading on football games, then we’ll decorate the tree,” Brandon said, placing parsley around a spiral ham.

  Catherine had seen the beautiful ten-foot spruce in the living room when they’d arrived. For just a moment her smile had wavered. Her family had followed the same tradition. Trying to hide her sadness, she had glanced around and seen Phoenix and Morgan at the end of the kitchen counter. Phoenix had her head on Morgan’s shoulder.

  Although Phoenix was estranged from her father, her face glowed with love, happiness, and contentment. Morgan’s family was now hers, and he was hers. Catherine’s smile brightened and she shook away the momentary sadness. They were blessed women to have found men who would love them always.

  “Not this year, Brandon,” Sierra told him with a mischievous grin, and then bit into a golden-brown tea cake. “It’s my turn to watch what I want.”

  Pierce and Brandon had looked stunned. Morgan and Luke smiled.

  Sierra’s grin widened, then she explained. “Mama only had one television when we were growing up so we always took turns watching programs. It carried through as adults when we get together for holidays. Brandon had his turn on Labor Day because he traded with Pierce on the Fourth of July for a cooking special on PBS.”

  Brandon groaned. “Please tell me we aren’t going to have to watch a chick flick or a fashion show.”

  “You have to think of our new sisters-in-law,” Pierce said.

  “I wonder if you had control of the TV, would you have that same thought?” Sierra asked sweetly.

  Pierce, always charming and honest, had the grace to flush, then smile. “Eventually.”

  Laughter rang in the kitchen filled with mouth-watering aromas and love. Luke curved his arm around Catherine’s waist. “Are you all right, Cath?”

  “With you, always.”

  Before he could comment, the doorbell rang. “Catherine, please get that,” Mrs. Grayson had asked as she sliced a delicious-looking three-layer hummingbird cake.

  “Sure.” Catherine had gone to the front door, expecting to see whoever the guests were for the three extra place settings in the dining room. Her parents and brother stood on the porch.

  She’d been overcome with emotions. She’d laughed, cried, hugged them. Then she hugged Luke, who had set up the surprise visit. “I never want you to have a moment’s regret for marrying me,” he said.

  “That could never happen,” she’d told him, and meant it. Luke made each day brighter and happier, just as he did now, simply by being there.

  She couldn’t wait to give him his present on Christmas Eve. It had taken a lot to pull it off, but she was determined that their first Christmas would be one he’d always remember.

  “You’re happy.”

  She jumped, then laughed. Luke stared back at her with the most beautiful black eyes she’d ever seen. “You were faking.”

  His arms curved around her, drawing her naked length to his. “Admiring my beautiful wife.”

  Her finger traced his lower lip. “And I was admiring my gorgeous husband.”

  Luke snorted. “I keep telling you we need to get your eyes checked.”

  Add not being conceited to the long list of his sterling qualities. “I have twenty-twenty vision.” Removing her finger, she nipped his lower lip.

  “That bite is going to get you into trouble.”

  “Promise?” she teased.

  His hold tightened, his eyes darkened. “Don’t you have an early morning appointment?”

  Her eyes widened. The meeting was part of Luke’s surprise. She couldn’t be late. She tried to scramble out of bed, but found herself held against a hard chest. “Luke, I don’t want to be late.”

  “Then we’d better get to it.” He took her mouth in a kiss that swept through her like wildfire, while his hand moved over her, leaving her craving more. Sliding his hands beneath her hips, he brought them together.

  She arched into him, locked her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Her last coherent thought as he loved her was that besides being shameless, she was very, very lucky.

  AS SOON AS CATHERINE PULLED OFF, LUKE PICKED UP the cordless phone in the kitchen and called Morgan. “You all set?”

  “Yep. How about you?” Morgan asked.

  “The same. Everything is in the back of my closet,” Luke told him, wandering to the coffee maker. Good thing it was on a timer. He and Cath stayed in bed as long as possible in the mornings. “Does Phoenix suspect anything?”

  Morgan chuckled. “Not a thing. It helps that she’s occupied working on a new sculpture.”

  “Cath is finishing up a lecture series at the college and working with Mama and the Women’s League to collect food baskets and clothes for families in need for the holidays, so she doesn’t have a clue either.” Picking up the carafe, he filled a mug. “I think this is one of the best ideas we’ve ever come up with together.”

  “This definitely won’t get us into trouble like when we were growing up.”

  “I—Hold on. Hero’s back.” Luke opened the back door to see the wolf hybrid looking up at him. After a heartbeat, he trotted inside.

  “Thought you might show up.” Opening the refrigerator door, Luke pulled out a roasted chicken and removed the plastic top. “I still say Cath is spoiling you, but since you only show up a couple of times a week, it means you still hunt for your food and won’t become domesticated.” Luke pitched the chicken.

  Hero’s strong jaws clamped on the meat. Luke wiped his hand on a paper towel, then went to open the back door.

  Hero trotted out again. “See you in a couple of days.” He watched until Hero disappeared into the woods, then he closed the door. “I’m back,” Luke told Morgan.

  “He stick around this time?”

  “Nope, I think he’s afraid Cat might try to give him another bath. He waited until she’d gone, but when she comes home and sees he’s been here, she’s going to go in search of him and he’ll let her find him.”

  “Another male who can’t resist the right woman,” Morgan said.

  “Isn’t that the truth,” Luke agreed, his laughter joining in with his brother’s.

  “I WANT EVERYTHING TO BE PERFECT,” CATHERINE SAID from her seat beside Brandon at the family table in the Red Cactus.

  “It will be. Otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten up at this crazy hour,” Brandon said, then yawned.

  “I appreciate it, Brandon,” Catherine said, meaning it. “But to tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure how you’d feel if I didn’t consult with you to help with planning the get-together on Christmas Eve and then the dinner on Christmas.”

  “Huffy,” Sierra said across from him. She smiled into his narrowed gaze and took another bite of eggs rancheros.

  “I want Luke’s favorite dishes, the dishes you grew up with,” Catherine told Brandon, used to the good-natured teasing between the siblings. “I want to start our own Christmas tradition as a married couple.”

  “Tradition and family are important to Luke,” Pierce said from beside Sierra.

  “To all of us,” Brandon added.

  “I know, but I want you to enjoy yourself, and not have to worry about cooking or serving,” Catherine said.

  “He’ll have to be unconscious for that to happen.” Sierra sipped her orange juice. “We’ve found it easier to stand back and let him be in charge.”

  “And because none of you, besides Mama, can or will cook,” Brandon told her.

  “There is that.” Sierra placed her empty glass on the table and folded her arms. “So what
’s on the menu?”

  “Hors d’oeuvres for starters. We’ll have crab cakes, savory cheese puffs, lobster, and smoked salmon to keep the crowd from becoming restless on Christmas Eve before we have the enchilada dinner and tamales. Then on Christmas we’ll have herb-roasted turkey, Luke’s favorite, applewood-smoked ham, stuffed chateaubriand, and several side dishes and desserts,” Brandon finished.

  “It sounds absolutely fabulous,” Catherine said.

  “It will taste the same way,” Brandon said.

  “That’s our Brandon, not a modest bone in his body.” Pierce finished off his breakfast burrito.

  Sierra laughed. “Since he can back it up, I suppose he has the right.”

  “Just teasing,” Pierce said, placing his napkin on the table beside his empty plate.

  “Trying to backtrack,” Brandon commented, “I suppose I’ll see both of you for lunch and dinner today.”

  “It’s so nice when you’re so well understood,” Sierra quipped.

  “My thoughts exactly.” Pierce lifted his hand and high-fived Sierra.

  “This is going to be wonderful,” Catherine commented, as she placed a small spiral tablet back into the attaché case beside her. “Christmas is such a glorious season.”

  “And don’t forget the side benefit,” Brandon said, then continued at Catherine’s puzzled look. “Mama is taking a break from trying to marry us off—so I can relax and enjoy the holidays.”

  “I’m glad I’m not next in line.” Pierce grinned. “I have plans for the holidays.”

  Sierra wrinkled her nose. “We know, making memories in case Brandon fails.”

  “Which I won’t do,” Brandon said adamantly.

  Catherine glanced at the determined faces of her in-laws. “I don’t want to run the risk of being stoned, but I’m glad your mother decided to help Luke find a wife. I’ve never been happier. I can’t imagine my life with anyone else.”

  Sierra picked up her glass of water. “Just because Mama got it right with you, there is no reason to believe she’ll be on target for the rest of us. I enjoy being single.”

  “That goes double for me,” Brandon said. “One of the perks of the restaurant business is enjoying the women who come here.”

  “Yeah,” Pierce agreed. “It would be like placing a starving man before a banquet and asking him to choose only one item. Cruel.”

  “Yeah, cruel,” Brandon repeated.

  Sierra shook her head. “I pity the woman who gets either of you.”

  “Because that means you’ll be next.” Pierce grinned at her.

  She scowled at him, then Brandon. “You two better stand strong if you know what’s good for you.”

  Pierce picked up his nearly empty glass of orange juice. “You needn’t worry. I’m enjoying the banquet too much.”

  “I couldn’t have phrased it better,” Brandon said, lifting his glass of apple juice.

  Sierra held up her glass. “To the last three Graysons standing. May we reign forever.”

  Their glasses clinked against the others, then they drained the contents.

  Catherine looked at the three and knew it wouldn’t do any good to tell them that marriage was wonderful. They’d just have to wait and see. “Thank you for helping me with Luke’s surprise. I want our first Christmas together to be memorable.”

  “As long as he has you, it will be,” Sierra said.

  Touched, Catherine felt her throat sting. “I love all of you.”

  “Don’t get misty,” Sierra teased. “Or Brandon will cry.”

  They all laughed. “Can’t have that. You know that you can each invite guests,” Catherine told them.

  All three adamantly shook their heads. “Women get the wrong idea if you take them to meet your mother. Take them to a holiday affair and you’re asking for trouble,” Pierce said.

  “He’s right,” Brandon quickly agreed.

  “I’ll have to agree with them,” Sierra said. “Our friends drop by but no one we’ve gone out with—much to Mama’s disappointment.”

  “Then invite anyone you wish. Thanks to Brandon, there’ll be plenty of food. I plan to make a roasted vegetable tart, baked sweet-potatoes casserole, a stuffed pork crown roast, and a pineapple-coconut cake. Phoenix is bringing pecan praline candy,” Catherine said. “She said she has to hide it from Morgan or he’ll eat the batch in one sitting.”

  Sierra sat up straighter. “Luke is almost as bad when it comes to your pineapple-coconut cake. I’m hitting the kitchen first thing to make sure I put aside some cake and praline for me.”

  “Save some for me,” Pierce requested.

  “Pierce, if I were you, I’d get my own,” Brandon advised him. “Sierra had two slices of Catherine’s cake the last time she invited us over and then took the last slice home. She mows through Phoenix’s pecan pralines the same way.”

  Pierce studied his baby sister, who smiled sweetly back at him. “I’ll grab my own.”

  Catherine’s lips twitched. “Since this will also be Phoenix and Morgan’s first Christmas together, she’s having brunch for everyone at their house the Sunday after Christmas. She’s planning on surprising Morgan as well.”

  “I’m meeting with her at lunch to go over her menu,” Brandon said.

  “Another tradition and more food.” Sierra rubbed her hands together in glee.

  Catherine smiled. “Thanks again. I don’t want to keep you any longer. I have one more stop before I have my first lecture.”

  “We have to make a run ourselves. We need to finalize what we’re getting Mama for Christmas.” Sierra stared at Brandon. “Someone has been dragging their feet.”

  “I just happen to think a new oven would serve her better,” Brandon commented.

  “So will the Dior and Chanel suits,” Pierce said.

  “With bag, shoes, and jewelry to complement both, she’ll be stunning.” Sierra nodded her head emphatically.

  Brandon massaged his temple. “Please don’t talk clothes. Besides, I still want to get her the new oven, the side-by-side refrigerator with a TV in the door panel, and the automatic dishwasher.”

  Catherine laughed as Sierra gave her brother an incredulous look. “Tonight Luke and I are going to look for a tree and decorations for the house and the tree.”

  Brandon shuddered. “If there was ever any doubt—which there wasn’t—Luke has it bad, this puts it to rest. He hates shopping just as much as I do.”

  Catherine nodded. “He suggested it. Your brother is simply—the best.”

  Sierra grinned. “He thinks you’re pretty terrific, you know.”

  “I know.” Catherine picked up her attaché case. “Goodbye and thanks again for the help.”

  “You’re welcome,” they chorused.

  Catherine waved Brandon and Pierce back to their seats as they started to stand. Midway to the front door she heard laughter and turned to look. Brandon, Pierce, and Sierra were part of a close-knit, loving family that now included her.

  For a moment, just a moment, Catherine thought of her infertility. She and Luke would never have children, watch them grow up, watch them marry and have children of their own. Yet, they were blessed in so many other ways. What was one regret compared to so much happiness? She had Luke and, for that, she counted herself the luckiest woman in the world.

  FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, CATHERINE KNOCKED ON Naomi Reese’s apartment door. Her friends had come so far, and she had a long ways to go, but thanks to the owner of the truck in the parking lot, she was steadily getting there.

  Knowing Naomi would look through the peephole before unlocking the door, Catherine waited patiently for the double locks to disengage.

  “Catherine, good morning,” Naomi greeted warmly.

  “Morning, Catherine.” Dr. Richard Youngblood stood a few steps behind her.

  “Good morning, Naomi and Richard. I just wanted to make sure you both were coming over Christmas Eve around eight to help with Luke’s surprise,” Catherine told them.

 
For a moment, Naomi’s gaze lowered. “You’re having family. May—”

  “And good friends,” Catherine interrupted. “I want you both to come.”

  “We’ll be there,” Richard said. “This morning I stopped by so we could take Kayla to pick out a tree once she wakes up.”

  Naomi smiled, the uncertainty leaving her pretty face. “She’s so excited. I could hardly get her to go to sleep. This is going to be her first Christmas where she doesn’t have to be—” Naomi abruptly stopped, bit her lower lip.

  Catherine started to reach out her hand to comfort Naomi, but Richard had already stepped beside her, his hand lightly touching her arm before falling away. Naomi, like Catherine, might have chosen the wrong man the first time, but they’d gotten it right the second time. Neither Naomi nor Kayla had to be afraid again.

  Naomi’s shoulders straightened, her chin lifted, the barest hint of a smile played around her mouth. “Should I bring anything?”

  “She makes an apple pie that will make you slap your mama,” Richard said with a chuckle.

  Naomi blushed, then laughed. “Richard.”

  Catherine thought laughter looked good on Naomi. “The apple pie sounds wonderful.” They had enough food, but Naomi needed to know that she was appreciated and valued. “I’d better go, and remember, it’s a surprise. Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye. We will,” Richard and Naomi told her.

  Catherine started back to her car. This was really shaping up beautifully. Luke was going to have the surprise of his life as they began a new family tradition. And if there came a light snow on Christmas Eve for them to wake up to a white Christmas, it would be absolutely wonderful.

  CHAPTER TWO

  LUKE HAD TO WORK IN A HURRY. EVERYTHING HAD TO be finished before he left to meet Catherine. “I think we’re almost finished.” He anchored the last lengths of Christmas lights that outlined the eaves of the log cabin.