The Maverick's Christmas Homecoming

by Teresa Southwick

  Shane’s voice drifted to her as he said, “Mom. Dad. Wow. Ryan and Maggie, too.”

  His family was here? Now? Gianna’s heart started pounding as she frantically looked around for an escape route. There wasn’t a cupboard big enough in the kitchen to hide her and no way to make it to the bedroom without being seen. She was pretty sure Shane didn’t have an apron as he wasn’t an apron-wearing sort of guy. It was just a case of being royally up doo-doo creek. This was like the bad dream where you somehow ended up in the mall ladies’ room naked to the waist with no choice except to suck it up and walk out, knowing humiliation would happen no matter how much you pretended otherwise.

  It would just be worse the longer she stayed put so, head held high, she moved just into the kitchen doorway, visible from the living room where the Roarke family stood. It was clear they all saw her because suddenly everyone went silent.

  “Merry Christmas,” she said, forcing cheerfulness into her voice.

  “You must be Gianna Garrison.” An attractive older woman with a stylish brunette bob separated from the group. “Shane said you were a blue-eyed redhead.”

  She touched a tousled curl by her cheek. “Guilty.”

  The woman, who had to be his mother, laughed. “He said you were friends.”

  Shane moved beside her, his expression sheepish and apologetic. “It was an ambush phone call, I was under oath and she was cross-examining me.”

  “He gets that a lot.” The older man, obviously his father, had silver hair, very distinguished-looking. “I’m Gavin Roarke.”

  “My dad,” Shane confirmed. “This is my mom, Christa. That’s my little brother, Ryan and baby sister, Maggie.”

  “Hi.” Gianna smiled as confidently as possible at the tall, good-looking guy with brown hair and eyes. His sister was wearing a navy knit hat pulled over long blond hair that spilled down her back.

  “Are you surprised?” Maggie asked.

  “Yes. Now, what are you guys doing here?”

  “Your mother wanted to be with you for Christmas,” Gavin explained.

  “What part of me flying out for dinner did you not understand?”

  “It’s a mom thing.” Christa’s shrug was apologetic. “I miss the days when you guys were kids and ripped into presents first thing. You’re all grown up so the best we could do is surprise you and be here in the morning.”

  “So you took a red eye?” Shane asked, shock and pleasure mixing in his voice.

  “Yes,” Gavin said. “Your brother and sister haven’t stopped whining about it yet.”

  “But I’d do it all again just to see the look on your face. And everything,” Ryan said, sliding a glance at Gianna’s bare legs and feet, then grinning at his older brother’s obvious discomfort. There was no way his family didn’t know they’d slept together.

  “I can’t believe we actually pulled off this surprise,” Maggie said. “It’s nice to meet you, Gianna.”

  “Likewise.” She was trying to hide behind Shane. “I usually look so much better than this.”

  “You look fine,” Christa said and sounded like she meant it sincerely. “Attractive doesn’t do her justice, Shane.”

  “Attractive was the best you could do?” Gianna didn’t know whether to be flattered or not.

  Looking down, Shane met her gaze. “Again, under oath.”

  “Don’t pay any attention to him,” his mother scoffed. “You’re stunning. And all my children will tell you that I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”

  “It’s true. She doesn’t suck up,” Ryan agreed. “So, about last night—”

  “There’s coffee in the kitchen.” Shane cocked his thumb toward the room behind them. “I’m going to put on a shirt.”

  “Preferably not this one.” As they laughed, Gianna sidled in the direction of the master bedroom and after going into the hallway, she turned and ran.

  She grabbed her things from the floor where Shane had tossed her sweater and jeans last night. It seemed the arms and legs were pulled inside out. That happened when someone was in a big hurry to get your clothes off. Quickly she put them back on while Shane dressed.

  “I can’t believe this is happening. I just said I didn’t want to meet your family looking like I rolled out of your bed. It’s official. I’m being punished because I did just roll out of your bed.” She turned a pleading look on him. “Tell me there’s a back way out.”

  “Sorry.” He moved in front of her and cupped her face in his palms. “They love you.”

  “We barely met. And I do mean barely what with wearing nothing but your shirt. There’s no way they like me.”

  “They do. I know them and there was nothing but approval. Now let’s have coffee.”

  When they returned, only his parents were there. Shane glanced at them, surprised. “So much for being together this morning. Ryan couldn’t wait ten minutes to start checking out Thunder Canyon women.”

  “He does have a talent for that,” his mother said, fondness and exasperation swirling in her eyes. “Although I do wish he’d find the right one and settle down. But, no. He and Maggie are using your guest rooms for a cat nap. They’ve been up all night.”

  “So have you guys,” Shane pointed out.

  “And worth it. But those two...” Christa shook her head sympathetically. “Rookies. It doesn’t matter that you’re all grown up, your father and I remember being up all night with babies. We’ve still got it, don’t we, Gavin?”

  He put his arm around her shoulders. “We do, indeed.”

  His mother’s eyes were suspiciously bright. “’Tis the season to be with the ones you love.”

  “Yes, it is.” Shane walked over and kissed her cheek. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

  “Sounds heavenly.”

  When they were settled around the table in the kitchen, his mother said, “So, you seem much more relaxed than you did last time we talked.”

  “Yeah.” Shane picked up his steaming mug. “I found my biological mother and father.”

  Gavin exchanged a glance with his wife before asking, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Of course. You’re my parents.” He took a deep breath and said, “Grace Smith died a long time ago, when her sons were pretty young.”

  “You have brothers.” It wasn’t a question and Christa’s tone was carefully neutral.

  “Yes. But they’re not happy about it. My birth father’s name is Arthur Swinton and he did some bad things, to them and the town. He’s in prison.”

  “Oh, my—” Christa shook her head. “You tease me about having a gift for words, but at this moment I’m at a complete loss.”

  “It’s really complicated,” Gianna said. “Grace was pregnant with Shane and didn’t tell Arthur. He was so in love with her and couldn’t accept that she loved another man. It made him a little crazy.”

  The other woman studied her son. “How do you feel about all that?”

  “I had a rough time in the beginning,” he admitted. “I’ve come to love this town and finding out you’re the son of public enemy number one was hard.” He set his coffee down and took Gianna’s hand. “But I got lucky. My friend talked me through it.”

  “I’m glad Shane has you,” his mother said.

  “Me, too. No one should have to go through something like that alone.”

  Shane squeezed her fingers. “I’ve been thinking, Mom. Since there are four lawyers in the family, maybe something can be done
for Arthur.”

  That surprised Gianna. He hadn’t said anything to her, but she approved. The man wasn’t a danger to society. His was a crime of revenge and it was over now.

  “We can look into his case,” Gavin said. “There might be mitigating circumstances to bring before a judge when he’s up for parole. If he can return the money he took while on the city council there could be a reduced sentence. Time off for good behavior.”

  “Thanks. You guys are—” Shane’s voice caught. “I got really lucky when you picked me.”

  “We’re the lucky ones,” his mother said. “We loved you the moment we laid eyes on you, so tiny and sweet. Instantly I felt as if you were meant for us. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. I hope that everything you found out will help you to find serenity and stop searching. Stop running.”

  “I have.” He met Gianna’s gaze, but his own was impossible to read.

  She had no idea what he meant, but if she’d helped him find peace, that would have to be good enough.

  * * *

  “That was the best Christmas dinner ever.” Maggie Roarke leaned back in her chair and groaned dramatically. “I’ve never been so full in my life.”

  Gianna glanced around Shane’s dining-room table, set for six. He sat at one end, she at the other, sort of host and hostess. His parents, Maggie and Ryan were on either side, facing each other. The big windows made the majestic, snow-covered mountains an extension of the room and gave them a spectacular view.

  “I’m glad you liked the food, little sister.” Shane sipped his chardonnay. “When you drop in on a guy, you take potluck.”

  “Then we should drop in every weekend,” his mother said. “That beef Wellington is, without a doubt, the best thing I’ve ever had.”

  He’d never looked so pleased and personally satisfied at work. “If I hadn’t been able to pillage stuff from the restaurant it would have been grilled cheese.”

  “Right,” his brother scoffed. “So speaks the cooking genius who won If You Can’t Stand the Heat by putting together a little something with lima beans, honey and tofu.”

  “You’re exaggerating.”

  “Maybe just a little,” Ryan admitted. “I don’t think even you could make something edible out of that.”

  “Never underestimate the palate appeal of tofu,” Shane said.

  Gianna loved watching him banter with his family and was very happy to be included in the group. She’d been looking forward to the trip to L.A., but didn’t mind that the plans were altered. This was one of the best holidays ever. Her financial position hadn’t changed, but she was rich in so many other ways.

  Definitely there’d been recent ups and downs, but today had been perfect, if you didn’t count meeting the Roarkes wearing nothing but Shane’s shirt. While his family napped, he’d driven her home to clean up, then they’d stopped by The Gallatin Room to get what he needed for dinner. Judging by the satisfied groans all around, he was a smashing success.

  His mother looked out the window and sighed. “I can see why your voice was full of reverence when you told me about Thunder Canyon. It certainly is beautiful. God’s country.”

  “Amen,” her husband said.

  Gianna couldn’t agree more. She’d come home with her tail between her legs, feeling like a failure, but somehow this place had healed her soul. Her heart was in jeopardy, but maybe life was always a trade-off.

  “It makes you hardly notice that your place has no Christmas decorations,” Maggie said. “Next year.”

  “Maybe.” Shane’s tone was noncommittal.

  “I’m going to earn my keep and clear the table.” Gianna stood and started stacking plates.

  “I’ll help you.”

  When his mother started to stand, Shane stopped her. “No, you don’t.”

  “I’m not a guest,” she protested.

  “Tomorrow you can help. But you were up all night getting here. That buys you a pass on doing dishes. All of you,” he said, looking at each of them in turn.

  “He just wants to be alone with Gianna,” Ryan teased. “If you can’t stand the heat...”

  Shane lifted one eyebrow at his brother. “Can you blame me?”

  “No.”

  Gianna blushed. Ryan grinned. Shane glared.

  While Shane stacked plates at the other end of the table, she carried hers to the kitchen. Behind her she heard his mother say, “You two make a good team.”

  Gianna thought so, but what did she know. Her judgment was questionable. She was the one who’d wasted so much time on the wrong guys. After setting dishes in the sink, she turned to go back for the rest, but Shane was right behind her.

  “I’ll get the food,” he said, turning back the way he’d come.

  That was her prompt to rinse and arrange the plates and silverware in the dishwasher. By the time she’d finished, he was putting leftovers in the refrigerator, beside the pumpkin chiffon pie he’d “borrowed” from the restaurant freezer, from the stock he’d made for the restaurant’s holiday menu.

  “Do you want to wait to serve dessert?” she asked.

  “Good idea.”

  They assembled small plates and forks. He got coffee ready but didn’t push the “on” button. Then they looked at each other.

  “Christmas is almost over,” he said.

  “I know. At the same time I’m relieved, it kind of makes me sad.”

  “Did you get everything you wanted?”

  “I love the perfume,” she said, not really answering.

  His question made her think and not about the gift he’d given her. There was only one thing that could possibly make this day perfect and it couldn’t be bought in a store. She just wanted to hear that he cared.

  “How about you?” she countered. “Did you get everything?”

  “Almost.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s silly, I guess. And unrealistic given the circumstances. But I’d hoped to talk to D.J. and Dax. It’s not that I’m looking to be embraced as a brother. I’m not asking for a kidney or bone marrow transplant.”

  “But?”

  “I like them.” He shrugged. “It was natural. I’m going to miss the friendship.”

  “That could still happen. Your paths are bound to cross if you stay in Thunder Canyon.” She still didn’t know what his long-term plans were.

  “What about you?” The question turned the conversation away from him, his goals. “Is traveling still what you want?”

  What she wanted had certainly changed since she’d returned to her hometown. She’d thought she was confused and lost then, but the feeling had multiplied a hundred fold. There was only one point she was clear on.

  Gianna looked up at him. “In the last six months I’ve found out that Thunder Canyon is in my blood. I was so anxious to get away, but now I can’t imagine being gone forever. I saw this place through your eyes and fell in love with it all over again.” She left out the part about falling in love with him at the same time.

  “I know what you mean.”

  “So, I’m going to put my business degree to work as soon as I figure out what business will work.”

  He nodded and a dark expression settled on his face. “There’s something I have to say.”

  Gianna didn’t like the sound of that. It was the male version of “we have to talk” and it was never about anything good. But she’d wasted a lot of time on relationships that didn’t work. If this “thing” with them was
heading over a cliff, it would be best to find out now. Knowing wouldn’t stop the hurt, but... She couldn’t really think of an upside to knowing. Best get it over with.

  “Okay. What’s on your mind?”

  “You and I,” he started. “And the Traubs. There are a lot of them here in town. Based on D.J.’s reaction, when he tells the rest of the family about who I am. They’re not going to like me much either. You know I care about you, but—”

  She held up her hand. “Don’t say it. I hate that word.”

  “Gianna—” He shook his head. “You want to make a life here. If you get hooked up with me that could get awkward and I’d do anything to keep you from being hurt.”

  “Really? You’re actually saying that this town isn’t big enough for both of you?”

  “I know it sounds like something from a bad Western, but yeah, I am. And there’s only one way to keep you out of it.”

  “You don’t have to protect me.”

  “I can’t help it where you’re concerned.”

  He was talking about walking away. He was willing to give up a place that had touched his soul. But this wasn’t a decision that just affected him and she should get a say in it.

  “Look,” she said, “It’s not—”

  “Shane?” His father was standing in the doorway and neither of them had noticed.

  “Yeah, Dad?”

  “There’s someone at your front door. A young man. He says he’d like to speak with you.”

  Shane straightened away from the counter looking as surprised as she felt. “That’s odd. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Did he say what it’s about or give you his name?”

  Gavin shook his head. “He only said that he needed a few minutes of your time.”

  “Okay. I’ll see what he wants.”

  Gianna had a bad feeling. This was like getting a phone call in the middle of the night. Someone stopping by unannounced this late on Christmas just felt weird. And that’s why she walked to the door with Shane. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t help going into protective mode. When she saw who was standing there, she slipped her hand into his.