“I have,” Renae said. “Being married to Chad makes me happier than I ever dreamed I could be.” She studied her big brother for a moment. “You look really tired. Will you let me zone you later? I think you need it.”
Jake shrugged. “I’ve actually never been zoned, but I’d be happy to let you do it if it’s anything like a foot rub.”
Renae rolled her eyes, looking over at April Lynn, who hadn’t quit smiling since the moment she got home to see Jake sitting on her couch. “I need to borrow some oils, Mom.”
“No problem. I have the entire Butterfly Express collection in my room.”
“Thanks.”
Jake shrugged at Chad, who grinned.
“Glad you made it home safe,” Chad said.
“You too, man.”
The door opened, and Roxie came in, looking even bigger than she had that morning.
“Are you sure that’s not twins?” Jake asked.
Roxie hugged him as she laughed. “I have been assured it’s only one. Thank God. I cannot imagine being able to keep up with two newborns and working at the same time.”
“You could quit,” Ciran said softly.
“No, she couldn’t!” April Lynn said from the kitchen. “Bite your tongue!”
Ciran sighed. “I hear that from all of them, but she looks so tired.” His eyes met Jake’s, and he seemed truly worried. Jake immediately lost all apprehension about Ciran. The love the other man felt for his sister was obvious, and that’s all he cared about.
“Are there problems with the pregnancy?” Jake asked, his eyes going to his eldest sister.
“Not at all. I’m just worried. I guess it’s part of having a wife who is ten and a half months pregnant with triplets.”
Roxie shook her head. “I’m standing right here. Stop talking about me. I’m sitting in the best chair in the house.” She walked over to Renae, who got up immediately, and sank down into their father’s recliner, immediately putting her feet up. “Thanks, Renae. You win best sister of the day!”
Renae shrugged. “I’m just competitive enough to be happy about that.”
The door opened, and this time Bob walked in, followed by Melinda. “I figured I’d grab a random chef from the hotel to make the numbers even.”
Jake narrowed his eyes at his father, knowing there was nothing at all random about Melinda being there. “Hi,” he said softly to Melinda. “Sorry you got dragged here.”
“Why sorry?” she asked. “I’m dying to try your mom’s lasagna.”
“At least there will be three people here calling me Jake.”
“Three? Who else is on Team Jake?” she asked.
“Riley and Blake. I wanted to kiss their feet when they called me Jake without having to be reminded.” Jake shook his head. “I’m seriously ready to scream at the next person who calls me Bobling.”
Melinda grinned. “Hold it in. We’ll train them.”
Her use of the word we both startled and pleased him. He liked thinking of her working with him to accomplish something. “I sure hope so, because I don’t know how much longer I can stand it.”
“Did you ever complain about that name when you lived here before?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I figured I’d go to the military and reinvent myself . . . and I did, but now I’m home and no one is getting it.”
The door opened again, and he looked over to see Raina standing with a man he’d never met. His sister hurried to him and threw her arms around him. “Hi, big brother. It’s nice to hug you.”
Jake laughed. “It’s nice to be hugged.”
Raina stepped back and held her hand out for a man. “Bobling, this is Derek. Derek, my brother, Bobling.”
“Jake,” Jake said automatically. “I go by Jake now. It’s good to meet you, Derek. I hear you work with Joel at his Pawspital.”
“I do. Best move I ever made.” Derek smiled. “I told her you’d be going by Jake when you got home, but she didn’t believe me.”
“I’d be thrilled if you started referring to me as Jake to remind her.”
“I will do my very best.” Derek looked at Melinda. “How’s Kaz?”
Melinda smiled. “The best vets look at your face and remember your pet’s name, even if they don’t remember yours. He’s doing great. Still a bit of a monster, but I love him.”
“He’s a sweet one.”
“When he’s not pouncing on me and standing on my face in the mornings so I’ll get up and feed him.”
Derek laughed. “We’re all happy when someone is willing to adopt one found on the side of the road that way. Thanks for being that someone.”
“I wouldn’t give him up for anything.”
Jake felt a little funny knowing Melinda had been brought to supper to be his partner or whatever his father had been thinking, but he did want to get to know her better. Watching her interact with others intrigued him even more than he had been.
When they went into supper, Bob prayed over the meal, thanking God for returning his son home safely. After the amens, they all served themselves generous portions of the lasagna.
Melinda looked over at April Lynn. “I have heard such good things about your lasagna. If it’s half as good as everyone says, I’m going to need you to teach me to make it. It might be good on the new menu.”
April Lynn nodded, but then frowned. “New menu?”
Melinda nodded. “Yes. Now that I’m in charge of one of the restaurants, I’m going to change the name to Impressions and try to make it a go-to for dates in our little town. The pub is fun, but if you want a quiet, elegant meal, you can eat at Impressions.”
April Lynn smiled. “That sounds amazing. When will it be done?”
“I am working up the new menu now. I just got the go-ahead this morning, and Jake put in some suggestions that I’m sure I’ll do my best to implement.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Roxie said. “I know where you’re taking me for our first date-night after the baby is born.” She looked at Ciran.
“Sounds good to me. If only we could find someone who would want to take care of the baby while we went out,” Ciran shook his head, as if he was utterly baffled.
April Lynn laughed. “That’s my job,” she said. “You bring me that baby anytime, day or night, and I will pull up my big girl panties and act like a grandma.”
They all laughed, knowing April Lynn was dying to get her hands on her first grandbaby. “This past month has felt like six,” Roxie said. “How did you make it through the last months, Mom?”
“I timed my pregnancies to be over in the winter. It’s the only way to survive. And you should have Raina give you a massage. It’ll help a lot.”
“I’d like to . . .” Roxie said, “But she’s always so booked.”
Riley grinned. “That’s where your baby sister comes in. I learned prenatal massage last week, and I’m required to find someone to practice on. How does your Saturday look?” she asked.
Roxie’s eyes widened. “I forgot you were doing massage school. My Saturday only has one thing on it. Massage by Riley.”
Ciran smiled. “Thanks, Riley. You’re a lifesaver.”
“I’m sure it wouldn’t be nearly as good as one of Raina’s massages, but I’m getting there.”
Raina shook her head at Roxie. “You know I’d drop everything to massage you. You just have to ask.”
“And I’m supposed to ask right before your wedding, when I know you have a million things you need to be doing?” Roxie shook her head. “Not happening.”
Raina sighed. “I’m busy, but if you’re hurting, then I will do whatever it takes to help you.”
“Don’t forget to get a zone, too,” Renae said. “I can help with some of the emotional trauma that goes with being pregnant.”
“I’m not sure I’d call it trauma . . .” April Lynn said with a laugh.
All-in-all it was a good meal, and when they were near the end, Jake decided he had to say what needed to be said then. “Th
anks for coming and welcoming me back, everyone. I’m glad to finally be here again.” He took a deep breath. “I do want you all to know that I no longer respond to the name Bobling. I only answer to Jake.”
April Lynn shrugged as expected. “I’ll do my best to make you happy, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to remember.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d try.”
Bob frowned at him. “But . . . what about power to the Bobs?”
“You believe in Bob-power all you want, Dad. I’m going to stick with Jake.”
The others all shrugged, obviously having known it was coming. Blake nodded. “I told Riley she needed to learn to call you Jake before you came back, because that nickname is so awful.”
Riley nodded. “I’m not perfect at it, but I get it right eighty percent of the time. We all need to work toward calling you by an adult name and not Bobling.”
Jake nodded emphatically. “Thanks, Riley. And thank you, Blake. I appreciate you trying to teach her.”
“Not a problem at all. I can just imagine being saddled with a nickname like that. It would make me crazy.”
“I changed it as soon as I left town . . . but it seems to still be haunting me.” Jake shrugged. “We’ll all work on it.”
“We will,” April Lynn said. “Just don’t hate us when we slip up.”
“I won’t.” Jake was just glad they were willing to try. It was honestly better than he’d expected.
“Can I do the dishes for you, April Lynn?” Melinda asked.
“No, thank you. You’re a guest. Besides, my girls and I have done so many loads of dishes together, we know how to avoid each other walking back and forth to the sink.” April Lynn got to her feet and started clearing the table, and all four of her daughters automatically got up to help. She held up a hand when Roxie stood up. “You sit your butt down in the living room. There is no need for you to be doing dishes in your condition.”
Roxie nodded, looking grateful for the reprieve and wandering out to the living room to sit in the recliner there. Jake followed her, knowing his mother would shoo him out of the kitchen.
Melinda stood looking awkward. “I really need to get home, but I’m having a lovely time.”
Bob got to his feet. “I’ll drive you. I don’t want you walking alone at night.”
“It’s not even dark. I’ll be fine.”
Jake jumped to his feet. “You didn’t bring your car?”
“No, I rarely drive unless I’m going out of town or in need of groceries. I prefer to walk everywhere. It doesn’t hurt me one little bit.” Melinda shrugged. Walking had become a way of life for her years before, and she liked it.
“Well, let me drive you home, then. No need for you to get out, Dad.” He opened the door and waited for her to precede him. As they walked to his truck, he asked for her address, and surprisingly after so long, he immediately knew where her house was. “I really enjoyed lunch today. It was fun to hang out with just you.”
Melinda nodded, smiling at him. “I thought so, too. Today’s been a good day for me.”
“For me, too. It’s so good to be home. I’ll probably say that a thousand times in the next month before I get used to being here again.”
“Would you be willing to do something for me?” she asked, wanting to see him again but not wanting it to seem like she was asking him out.
“What’s that?”
“Would you go to supper at the restaurant tomorrow and let me have you try out a few dishes for the reception and you tell me which ones you like best?”
He shrugged. “I’d be happy to. I’m always willing to eat.”
She laughed. “If you want, bring your friend, unless he’s out with Ambrosia again. Do you think he’ll be done with her after tonight?”
“I didn’t think he’d ever look at her twice to begin with, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen there, but I’ll ask him. I’m sure we can provide good feedback, and if he can’t come, I’ll bring one of the plethora of cousins I have hanging around with their fingers up their noses.”
“You do have a lot of cousins . . .”
“Twenty. On one side of the family. Thankfully Mom was an only child. Imagine what it would be like if she’d come from a family as big as Dad’s.” He shook his head. “What time tomorrow?” He wanted to get into the gym and work on fixing up the equipment he could.
“Come at suppertime. Around six or so?” She shrugged. “I’ll be there all night, and I’ll start those meals first thing, so they’ll be ready when you get there.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll see if I can pry Jackson away from Ambrosia and her flower.”
“Her flower?” Melinda asked, confused.
“Probably not the best topic to bring up, so pretend I didn’t.” He pulled into her driveway and waited as she got out. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye!” she called as she hurried toward the house.
Jake watched her go before slowly driving back home. She was special, and his dad obviously liked the two of them together. He never would have pegged his dad for someone who would try and set him up with someone, but obviously he’d been wrong.
When he got back to this parents’ house, he went inside to find all of his siblings still there, looking at him expectantly when he walked in.
“Are you waiting for me to do a little song and dance?” he asked.
“I’m waiting to know if you kissed her,” Riley said.
Jake shook his head. “No, I didn’t kiss her. I just met her this morning. She seems nice, but I could never kiss a virtual stranger,” he said. He put his hand over his mouth to act shocked at the idea.
“Sure, Bobling,” April Lynn said. “Even I’m not buying that one.”
The laughter that followed her statement felt good and healthy.
He moved to sit on an arm of the couch, because all of the furniture was full. “Thanks for cooking tonight, Mom. You have no idea what it means to me.”
“Probably about one millionth of what having you home means to me. Do you have to move out after Riley marries?”
Jake nodded emphatically. “I’m thirty-two, and I’ve been on my own for a very long time. I need to move out.”
She sighed. “Well, try not to sound so happy about it, would you?”
Jake laughed. “I’m going to live three streets over. I’ll be here all the time, begging you to make lasagna for me.”
“I’ll fix you cold cereal or a sandwich whenever you’re hungry.”
Riley leaned forward, looking at her mother. “I think this would be a good time to learn to cook a new meal and make it as good as your lasagna. How about enchiladas?”
“How about Ciran just brings tacos, and we forget I’ve ever even thought of making anything other than lasagna?” April Lynn returned.
Roxie’s jaw dropped. “You mean you’ve thought of making things other than lasagna?”
“Not on purpose. Subject closed.” With her usual sweet smile, none of them could argue with April Lynn. If she wanted to spend the rest of her life only making lasagna, then that’s obviously what she’d do.
Roxie shrugged at Riley. “We did try.”
“But now that subject’s closed, so we probably should stop talking about it,” Riley said, shaking her head.
“Do we know how to stop talking about something? Don’t we usually beat everything into the ground and stomp all over it?”
“Yes, that’s what we’re good at,” Renae said with a grin.
“Maybe we should try to be good at other things,” Raina asked.
“Why would you do that when you’re already so good at everything?” Derek asked with a grin.
“I raised a houseful of smart-mouthed girls. Where did I go wrong?” April Lynn asked no one in particular.
“You led by example, dear,” Bob said, grinning at her.
Five
All day Friday, Jake worked in the gym, trying to get everything he wanted accomplished. He was able t
o jury-rig a couple of the machines, so he would at least have a couple of things people could do when they came to the gym. He was annoyed that it had been allowed to degenerate as far as it had, though. It should have been kept in the condition it was in when his father had first purchased the hotel.
He cleaned all morning and again went to the taco truck for lunch. This time he ran into an old high school friend, and they talked about the years.
“I married Stephanie. I think she said you two went out once or twice in school,” Alex said.
“Oh, yeah. Maybe once.” Jake shook his head. “I hardly feel like we’re old enough to marry.”
Alex laughed heartily. “We have three kids. You’d better get a move on, Bobling. All the pretty girls are going to be gone.”
Jake wasn’t sure what to say to Alex’s comment, so he said, “I go by Jake now.”
“Jake?” Alex shrugged. “I’ll try to remember. I always wondered when you’d ditch Bobling. Awful name.”
“Yup. And I’ve been done with it since I joined the military.”
“Good for you.” Jake got up to the truck and placed his order, relieved that he didn’t have to try to make conversation anymore. He felt very distanced from Alex and his family. He was still single and would be for a long time. Maybe.
He ordered tacos, sopapillas, and chips and queso. He nodded at Alex as he walked back toward the hotel, spotting Melinda waiting in line. “I got the sopapillas and chips and queso,” he said softly.
She grinned. “I’ll join you as soon as I get my tacos.”
He went to the break room and sat down with his food. It was hard to remember to open the tacos and chips and queso first, because he could already taste the sopapillas.
Melinda joined him a short while later. “How’s the gym coming along?”
He groaned. “It’s in such bad shape. Why has no one taken care of it?”
She shrugged. “Because you weren’t there to do it, I guess.”
“Well, I’m back now, and it’s going to be done right. Do you have any idea who I talk to about getting the gym on the list to be cleaned daily like everything else? And why isn’t it already on the list?”
Moonstruck Marine Page 4
