Ivan smiled again and gathered her into a hug, but as the train lurched to a stop, he was off at nearly a run with Jaden struggling to keep up. As they rounded the corner, Ivan somehow picked up his pace and rushed at a little lady standing beside the airport information sign. He scooped her into a bear hug.
“Hola, chica!” he yelled as he lifted her from the ground and spun her around in a circle.
Laughing, she slapped him on the arm. “Oh, stop it.”
Without missing a beat, Ivan jumped right into the introduction. “Mom, this is Jaden.”
Not settling for a casual hello, Ivan’s mom went right for the hug. “So,” she said, “this is the girl who could be my future daughter–in-law.”
Ivan and Jaden stared silently at one another, their mouths slightly open.
“I had to get him back for embarrassing me like that,” Mrs. Rusilko added. She took Jaden’s hand. “How are you, dear? I’m Marie, and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. You’re much more beautiful in person. That magazine does you no justice.”
“You’ve seen the magazine?” Jaden asked, shooting a look at Ivan, who smiled sheepishly.
“What?” he shrugged. “There was a great article in there about South Beach marine life. Turtle migration, you know.”
Jaden stifled a laugh and turned her attention back to his mom. “The pleasure is all mine, and thank you for having me. I couldn’t pass up the chance to see where this guy came from.” She nodded in Ivan’s direction.
“Are you guys ready?” Ivan slung the bags over his shoulder and took each of the women by the hand, leading them through the busy airport terminal toward the parking garage. He practically skipped, Jaden noticed. He was truly glad to be home.
“I hope you’re hungry,” his mom said. “I packed food for the drive home.”
“I could go for a bite to eat,” Ivan said with a smile.
Jaden decided she should work immediately on getting to know Ivan’s mom, since it seemed his family already knew a thing or two about her. “So Ivan tells me you’re quite a Scrabble player, Mrs. Rusilko,” she ventured.
Ivan started to laugh.
“He beats me most of the time, but I sneak in a few here and there. Do you play?”
“He hasn’t tested me yet.” Jaden looked at Ivan and giggled. “I think he’s scared of me beating him.”
Reaching a Jeep, Ivan’s mom produced a set of keys and handed them to her son. “And please, dear, call me Marie. There’s no need to be so formal.”
Jaden and Ivan, somewhat underdressed for Pennsylvania temperatures, shivered as they stood waiting for the Jeep doors to unlock. After chucking their bags in the trunk, Ivan opened the doors for each of them.
Insisting that Jaden take the front seat, Marie climbed in the back while they continued their conversation. They roamed from topic to topic, and Marie shared a few stories from Ivan’s childhood. Jaden felt sure a friendly rapport was being firmly established.
As Ivan started the journey home, the conversation transitioned to Jaden’s childhood and her experiences in culinary school, and Marie talked of her passion for making jewelry and traveling.
They were about halfway to their destination when Marie finally asked “How did the two of you meet?”
Jaden and Ivan’s eyes locked in surprise, and for a moment Jaden froze, not at all sure how to explain. But Ivan jumped right in.
“Do you remember Mollydooker, the winery those friends of mine own?” Ivan asked.
“Yes, you’ve commandeered my basement with your stash of their bottles.”
“Hahaha…yeah, that’s the one. Well, they sponsored the Winemaker’s Dinner this year in Sarasota.”
“I remember you mentioning something about that.”
“That’s where I happened to see the most beautiful girl in the world walk past, and I knew I had to get her name. After a little work she finally agreed to go on a date with me. Actually, a lot of work, now that I think about it,” he added, taking a playful jab at Jaden.
Jaden smiled, silently thankful for his edited version of the events. “I have to give you credit, Marie. You raised one romantic son.”
“It was all my dad,” Ivan quickly added, eliciting a laugh and a thwack on the back from his mom.
“Yeah, right,” Jaden added.
Time moved quickly, right along with the frosted countryside outside the foggy car windows. The gloomy sky threatened snowfall but held off as the Jeep barreled down the highway, bringing Ivan closer to his favorite place on earth. Farms, complete with cows, were scattered across the landscape and reminded Jaden of her winters in Colorado.
“Now, Jaden,” Marie warned, “this isn’t Miami Beach. It’s very simple in comparison.”
“Trust me, this has Miami beat, hands down,” Jaden reassured her as Ivan veered right onto the Meadville exit.
While they drove through the town, Jaden felt even more at home. Meadville was so similar to her hometown. Plus the lack of traffic, scorching heat, and inconsiderate drivers was a welcome change from Miami Beach.
Jaden also noticed a change in Ivan. In Miami, he was an up-and-comer on the social scene, but here he was a different man. Stripped of his fast-paced lifestyle, he’d almost instantly transitioned from a suit-wearing doctor to a ruggedly handsome outdoorsman. The fact that he loved his family more than anything else in the world only made her fall harder for him. Maybe one day when they’d both retired they could move to a place just like this. She smiled, a little ahead of herself she knew.
They rounded the corner and pulled into a driveway. Nestled among a cluster of lush evergreens and maple trees was a brick house, blanketed with nearly a foot of fresh snow. Watching over the house like Swiss Guards at the gates of Vatican City were three dogs: two chocolate labs and a golden retriever, all of whom came tearing up the driveway as the Jeep came to a stop. Ivan opened the door and tried to hold off the mob of fur and paws, but before he could say anything, Jaden jumped out of the Jeep and rushed to his side. Watching him embrace the three pooches melted her heart and reminded her how much she missed her own little bundle of fur back home.
“Settle down,” Marie called to the dogs as she came around the car.
“Well, these are my three Pennsylvania girlfriends,” Ivan said, rumpling their fur. “The puppy is Gia, the golden is Taylor, and the middle one is Sasha.” He petted each of them affectionately on the head as he gave their names.
“I love them!” Jaden exclaimed and offered her cheek for a big ol’ sloppy puppy kiss.
“Mom, why don’t you take Jaden inside and warm her up? I’ll get the luggage.”
“I’m okay,” Jaden replied, trying to hide her shivering.
“Baby girl, your lips are turning purple. Go inside with Mom, and I’ll be right behind.”
“Thank you, I’m so glad you brought me here,” Jaden whispered and kissed Ivan on the cheek. She stood and took Marie’s outstretched hand. “Come on, girls,” Jaden yelled, beckoning for the dogs to follow her.
“Traitors! Every last one of you, but especially you, Gia. I thought you were my girl,” Ivan teased as the dogs raced off.
A warm blast of air, scented with the smell of home, greeted Jaden as she entered the Rusilkos’ kitchen. The scent of a well-used fireplace, home cooking, and fresh country air enveloped her. Jaden admired the simple, cozy kitchen, complete with a gallery of family pictures and evidence of dog treats littering the floor. Yep, she was going to fit in perfectly.
Within minutes of their arrival a gorgeous dirty blonde bounced into the kitchen. Jaden recognized her from the family photo at Ivan’s condo, and she also wore a smile identical to that of her brother.
“What’s up, girl?” the blonde bellowed, squeezing Jaden in a hug. “It’s so great to finally meet you.”
“It’s great to meet you too, Elise!” Jaden said, offering a hug in return. It seemed the word girl was a staple in this house.
“You must be thirsty. What do you want to dri
nk?” Elise asked.
“I wouldn’t mind a glass of water,” Jaden said politely.
“Umm, water?” Elise stopped in her tracks. “You didn’t make that trip to end up drinking water, especially in this house. You’ll need a stiff drink. Trust me!”
“Okay,” Jaden said with a giggle. “Surprise me.”
“You’re a brave girl.” Elise laughed as she pulled out three glasses. “Mom, you want the usual Seven and Seven?”
“Sure, why not.” Marie pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table.
Elise poured three cocktails, handed them out, and raised her glass in a toast. “Here’s to a kick-ass Thanksgiving weekend.”
“To a kick-ass Thanksgiving,” Jaden echoed. Ivan was right, his sister was a rock star. Just then he burst through the door with the luggage, and Elise pounced immediately.
“All this time and you didn’t even pour me a drink? Jeez!” he exclaimed, dropping the bags to twirl her in a hug.
“Big brother!” Elise screeched. “It’s been too damn long!”
Setting Elise back down, Ivan pulled out a chair for Jaden at the table. “Have a seat. Make yourself at home.”
Jaden obliged and joined the friendly banter, smiling at Ivan from time to time as she could feel him watching her. They discussed the Miami Beach lifestyle, Elise’s work in Pittsburgh, and the major happenings in Meadville, which included a new menu at Perkins. A little while later another vehicle rumbled in the driveway, and Ivan took Jaden’s hand and squeezed.
“Brace yourself,” he told her. “Papa bear is home.”
Then, with a Fu Man Chu mustache and goofy grin painting his face, Ivan’s father flung open the door and made his grand entrance. “Where’s the chef?”
Jaden began to smile, but it faded as he came to stand just inches in front of her.
“Jaden, right?”
Nodding, she said, “Hello, Dr.—”
He cut her off before she could finish. “I have a joke for you.”
“Oh boy, here we go,” Ivan muttered, and Jaden shot him a nervous glance.
“What do you call two turtles having sex?”
Jaden could feel the blush heat her cheeks. There was no possible way Ivan’s dad could know about their turtle-watching adventures. Right? This was just a coincidence?
“John!” Marie scolded.
Confused, stunned, and amused all at once, Jaden swallowed hard and looked him in the eyes. “Umm…I would have to say a slow poke?”
“What?” He wrapped his arm around Jaden’s shoulder. “Did you tell her my joke?” Ivan’s father demanded, looking at Ivan.
“Well, you have about fifty different ones, and they’re all terrible, so no,” Ivan replied with a grin.
John shot him a suspicious look and turned his attention back to Jaden. “You’re all right. I don’t care what my wife says. You’re a keeper.”
“John!” Marie scolded again.
Turning back to the table, a grin now plastered across her own face, Jaden reached over and took Ivan’s hand.
Ivan’s father momentarily disappeared, only to reappear with a bottle of his finest homemade wine of the year. He cracked it open for all to enjoy, and in the midst of the merriment and conversation, Marie served them some fantastic pasta. The night wore on, and several bottles of vino later, the group remained immersed in laughter and stories. Finally Ivan’s mom excused herself from the table, which pretty much pulled the plug on everyone’s party. One by one the rest of them said their good nights before retreating to the bedrooms. Jaden, now feeling like one of the family, gave each of them a farewell hug.
“Are you ready for me to show you to your room, madam?” Ivan asked with a yawn.
“Si, señor,” Jaden replied and followed him and her luggage down the hall to the guest room. As they crashed on the bed, Jaden asked, “So how did I do?”
“You mean minus the thing you have hanging from your nose? I’d say you handled yourself perfectly.”
Fear shot through her. “What?”
Ivan restrained her as she moved to jump off the bed. “I’m kidding. Don’t you know me by now?”
“You ass,” Jaden retorted, settling into the curves of his chest. “I love your sister—she’s hilarious. Your mom is so sweet, and your dad… Oh, God, I can see where you get your personality.”
“You made my day, baby girl. Watching you with them was amazing.”
Jaden smiled. “Where’s your brother?” “He’s working tonight, but he’ll be here first thing in the morning for the festivities.”
Feeling playful, Jaden couldn’t help what she was about to do next. “So, this is my room right?”
“Yep, for tonight anyway.”
Jaden reached down and grabbed his crotch, pulling her hand away just as quickly. “Too bad,” she said wistfully. “I had plans for us tonight.”
“God, you’re a tease,” Ivan groaned and placed Jaden’s hand back on the growing bulge in his jeans. “Tomorrow we’re gonna have our own place, and rest assured I’m going to get you back for this.”
Ivan reached down and trailed his fingers up the inside of her leg. With the pad of his thumb, he stroked the fabric that concealed her sweet spot. Throwing her head back into the pillows, Jaden moaned as Ivan’s fingers worked their magic. But just as abruptly as he’d began the sweet torment, he ended it, sliding off the side of the bed. “All right, baby girl, I’m gonna hit it. We both need some sleep. Busy day tomorrow.”
“You’re freaking kidding me, right? You are not going to leave me hanging like this!”
“Well, unless you want to wake up the whole house, there’s no other choice.”
“Fine,” Jaden sighed. “But we’re even.”
“We’re nowhere near even. Wait until tomorrow when I get my hands on you.” Ivan offered her a mischievous grin. “Payback’s a bitch!”
“Good night, Ivan,” Jaden groaned as she buried her head under the pillow.
“Good night,” he replied as he flicked off the lights and exited the room.
Chapter 23
“Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing”
JADEN AWOKE TO THE AROMA of bacon floating into the bedroom. No doubt Marie was whipping up some good home cookin’. Tossing back the thick green comforter and welcoming the cool air as it danced across her skin, Jaden slid out from beneath the covers and unzipped her bag, rummaging for clothes. After making a mess of her suitcase, she decided on a comfy pair of jeans and hand-knit sweater her grandma had given her. Jaden scooted down the hall to the bathroom and breathed in the second lovely scent of the morning: lavender. No wonder it was one of Ivan’s favorites, it must remind him of home. She set her bag of toiletries on the counter, and after brushing her teeth and pulling her hair into a ponytail, she applied a quick bit of makeup in preparation for round two with the family.
Following the bacon smell, Jaden headed down the hall and was surprised to find Ivan’s dad masterminding the entire breakfast. Feeling slightly dangerous after a good night’s sleep, Jaden strolled into the kitchen to spark up a conversation.
“So, is your cooking as good as the wine we had last night?” Jaden asked, obviously startling the poor man who nearly fumbled the pan of hot grease.
“Good morning, Jaden. Did you sleep well?” His voice filled the kitchen, and with expert hands he steadied the pan and carried on as if nothing had happened.
“Yes, I did. Thank you.” She sat at the kitchen table. “I love that bed. I may have to get one of those egg-crate mattress covers for myself.”
“Loverboy’s outside, if you’re looking for him.” John motioned to two male forms through the window, who appeared to be braving the cold to set up a deep fryer.
Ivan had pulled his hair into a ponytail that hung out the back of a well-worn baseball cap, and yesterday’s five o’clock shadow had bloomed into a ten o’clock scruff. He looked different clothed in boots, gloves, dirty jeans, and a red-plaid hooded jacket—very sexy in a burly, rugged s
ort of way. She was sure the other man was Ivan’s brother who must have arrived in the wee hours of the morning. Jaden watched contentedly through the window as they bantered back and forth.
“I can go get him,” John offered.
“Thanks, but that’s okay,” Jaden said, bringing her focus back inside. “They look busy. Besides, I’m more interested in what you’re doing.”
“Well, it’s no French omelet, but BLTs built this house.” John laughed and stepped aside, displaying his frying bacon and the already toasted bread, complete with lettuce, mayonnaise, and tomato. “Would you care for one?”
“I’d love it,” Jaden said. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Putting three strips of bacon on a sandwich, he cut it in half and handed her the plate. “Bon appetit!”
Jaden dug right in. “Oh, my God, this is amazing,” she said, taking another large bite. It had been months, if not longer, since she’d had bacon, and this was a little slice of heaven.
“You can’t really mess up a BLT,” he said with a smile and joined Jaden at the table. He soon started in on his own sandwich.
Bursting through the door with a wave of cold, Ivan and his brother made their entrance, grunting and groaning as they shook the snow from their boots. In their layers of heavy winter clothing, they looked as though they’d just come home from a hard day’s work.
“Baby girl, you’re awake.” Ivan smiled and kissed her good morning.
“Ahem,” a voice behind him cackled. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Oh, right. Sorry. PJ, this is Jaden. Jaden, this is my brother, PJ.”
Emerging from behind Ivan was a smaller, more Italian-looking version of him. PJ was also dressed lumberjack style, just a much higher-end lumberjack than the ragged jeans and plaid jacket Ivan wore.
“So you’re the infamous Jaden I’ve heard so much about.” PJ stripped off his heavy jacket.
The Winemaker's Dinner: Appetizers Page 17
