Finding Family Read online

  Regan sat in the chair near her. “I’ve got to find a gift for Holly. It’s strange to think of her as my mother-in-law when we’ve been friends of sorts.”

  “That should make it easy,” said Darcy. “Austin’s mother is very nice, but a little distant. I’m not sure how to take her. His father is easy to get to know.”

  “Mothers and sons have special relationships,” said Regan. “I’m finding that out. Holly wants me to do things for Brian exactly as she would do them. You know?”

  Darcy clucked her tongue. “That can’t be easy, but I guess it’s all part of getting to know one another and setting up our own routines. Sheena and Rosa have worked out a nice mother-in-law relationship. We can too.”

  “You’re right. In the meantime, what do I get someone like Holly?”

  Darcy waggled a finger at her. “That, my dear sister, is your problem, not mine.”

  “You’re no help,” Regan pouted, getting up and leaving the office.

  Darcy watched her go and turned back to her wrapping. She hadn’t told Regan, but she was nervous about the party that evening. As a nice gesture to her and her sisters, Austin’s parents had arranged to have dinner at Gavin’s before returning to his grandfather’s house to open gifts.

  ###

  That evening, Darcy sat with Austin and his family at a secluded corner table in Gavin’s, seeing the restaurant from a guest’s point of view. She thought of Sheena’s worries and made a mental note to tell her how great the restaurant was.

  “So, you two, have you decided on all your stops on your whirlwind wedding trip?” Austin’s mother, Belinda, smiled at Darcy. A pretty woman with fine features and carefully coiffed dark hair, Belinda was a bit intimidating.

  Darcy turned to Austin and waited for him to speak. “Since Darcy hasn’t been to Europe before, we want to hit the high spots—Paris, London, Madrid, Rome and other major areas.”

  Belinda frowned. “But you won’t have the chance to spend time anywhere but in big cities. Don’t you want an idyllic time somewhere in the country, such as Provence or Tuscany?”

  “Mom, we’ll go back to Europe again and again because Darcy likes to travel. But for now, she’ll get a good idea of the more popular places. Besides, it’s our honeymoon. We’re probably not going to spend all our time sightseeing.”

  Belinda’s mouth formed an O, which she quickly covered with her hand. “Oh, my! Of course. Forgive me.” She turned to Darcy. “As Austin says, a trip like that will give you an overview of the places you might like to visit in the future.”

  Darcy took a sip of her ice water hoping to cool the heat in her cheeks caused by the mention of the honeymoon.

  “I think it’s a very sensible thing to do. You guys are young and curious and don’t need to spend the whole time in one place,” said Austin’s father, Charles. Tall, gray-haired, and gentle, his manner was a nice contrast to his wife’s intensity.

  Darcy gave him a smile of gratitude.

  Casey came over to their table. “How is everything here?” he asked Charles.

  Charles looked around the table and said, “Everything is fine. My compliments to the chef. My steak was done to perfection.”

  “And the sea bass was divine,” Belinda added. “I think we could use another bottle of wine. We have much to celebrate.”

  “I’ll send the wine steward right over,” Casey said, giving her a little bow.

  “Nice service,” said Charles.

  Darcy caught the wink Austin’s grandfather, Bill, gave her and smiled. His story was one of the first she’d written, and she still thought of him as one of her special angels.

  ###

  At Bill’s house, the five of them gathered around the Christmas tree with after-dinner drinks. Darcy sipped her white crème de menthe, comfortably full from her dinner.

  Bill raised his glass. “I’d like to toast Margery. She’s been gone only a few months, but it seems like forever to me. I miss her.” He turned to Austin and Darcy sitting on the couch. “She’d be happy to know Austin and Darcy are together. I wish you both the very best on this the first of many Christmases together.”

  “Hear! Hear! To Mom!” said Charles, blinking back tears. “She was the best.”

  Belinda, Austin, and Darcy raised their glasses together.

  “Okay,” said Bill after they’d settled down. “Age before beauty. I get to hand out my gifts first.”

  He handed a small package to Darcy. “Merry Christmas from Margery and me. Go on, open it,” he urged with a smile.

  Her fingers trembling, Darcy unwrapped the red foil paper and lifted the cover off the box. Tears filled her eyes. A lovely pair of Mikimoto pearl earrings lay on a bed of black velvet.

  Bill smiled at her. “I brought those back from Japan on my way home from ’Nam. They were a favorite of Margery’s.”

  “Thank you so much,” said Darcy, touched by the gesture. “I will treasure them always.”

  “Not to be outdone, we have a gift for you too, Darcy,” said Belinda, handing over a small box wrapped in silver.

  Darcy clapped a hand on her chest. “I’m not used to such ... shiny gifts.”

  Amid the chuckles that followed, Austin said softly, “Open it, darling.”

  Lifting the paper off, Darcy stared at the label on the lid. Tiffany. She opened it, and a velvet box fell out. When she lifted the lid, her breath caught. Two diamond solitaire earrings winked up at her.

  “Oh, my! Now I really don’t know what to say. Thank you all so much! I’ve never had a Christmas like this,” she said honestly.

  “Diamonds and sentimental gifts are the best,” said Belinda kindly.

  Darcy swallowed hard. Her gifts seemed so small, so insignificant.

  Other gifts were opened, and then Darcy said, “I have gifts too.”

  She handed Belinda the picture frame. “I hope you like it.”

  Darcy held her breath as Belinda opened the comparatively plain package. When she lifted out the frame and saw what it was, a smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. “How nice. A perfect gift from a lovely daughter-in-law.”

  A sigh of relief escaped Darcy. She hoped it meant she and Austin’s mother would be all right. Her former boyfriend’s parents had made it clear neither she nor her family measured up to their standards.

  Bill appeared to like the books she’d chosen for him, along with the gift card to Gracie’s. “Lynn and the others there are anxious to see you again,” said Darcy.

  “Lynn? Who’s that?” asked Belinda, giving her father-in-law a curious smile.

  “The widow of an old friend. We talk sometimes when I go to the restaurant.” Bill said. “Just someone to talk to.”

  “Okay, I guess my gift is the last one,” said Austin. “I’ll be right back.”

  He returned carrying a wooden carving. Placing it in front of Darcy, he grinned at her. “I can’t wait until we’re married and actually living together. Love you, Darcy.”

  As she studied the carved-wooden figure, tears once more filled her eyes. The detail was stunning—a child, sitting in the grass, holding up a hand on which a butterfly perched.

  “Is it a boy or a girl?” Belinda asked, leaning forward for a closer look.

  “Neither and both,” Austin said. “A symbol of the children we hope to have one day.”

  Darcy hugged the gift to her. “It’s gorgeous, Austin. I think you might be wasting your time with dentistry. This is a real artist’s work.”

  “Hold on,” said Charles. “You can’t raise a family on wood carvings.”

  Darcy started to reply and quickly stopped. Austin’s parents were practical people. Why else would they exchange a holiday at home for a lucrative business trip?

  “The carving is beautiful, Austin,” said Bill. “Can’t wait to see the real children you and Darcy will produce.”

  “Yes,” Belinda said, smiling at Darcy. “I wanted more children, but that didn’t happen for us. Hopefully, you and Austin will give us lots
of grandchildren.”

  Darcy exchanged smiles with Austin, but inside her stomach twisted. Would she be a good mother like she hoped? Even then, would it be good enough for Austin’s family?

  Austin took hold of her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, and the fear that had gripped her faded. She knew Austin would make a great father. She’d just have to try her best.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  REGAN

  Regan waited at the pool gate for Brian to reach her. He was making progress on his ability to walk using a cane. His right elbow was no longer in a cast or sling. His left arm would be free of a cast in a couple of days. That was the good news. The bad news was neither arm would be able to hold a lot of weight for some time, which meant he was limited to directing his crew and doing paperwork.

  “Okay, let’s get on with it,” grumbled Brian as he approached her.

  Regan smiled. “C’mon! I’ll race you to the end of the pool and back.”

  His lips curved. “We’ll see.”

  On this December evening, no guests were using the pool. Regan slipped the towel off her shoulders onto a chaise lounge and eased into the heated pool water. Without waiting for Brian, she began swimming laps.

  In the pool, he caught her in his arms and pulled her close enough to feel his arousal. He grinned at her. “Hey, mermaid! Haven’t we met before?”

  She laughed and nestled up against his strong chest. She loved that they could play games like this.

  They went to work beginning the exercises Brian’s doctor had given him. He did them without complaint and was able each day to do them for longer periods. His dedication, Regan knew, was driven by his frustration at not being able to work at his job as he wanted.

  Still puffing from the exertion, she sat next to Brian on the pool steps. Brian wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

  “Thank you.” He lowered his lips to hers.

  She responded to his touch, filling with desire. His kiss deepened. When he finally pulled away, he looked at her with such love, Regan’s breath caught. There were still times she couldn’t believe, of all the women he could have chosen, he’d chosen her.

  “I don’t want to wait to get married,” Brian said. “Why don’t we elope?”

  Regan took hold of his hand. “I wish we could run away and get married. I know most women want a big, fancy wedding, but, as long as I have you, I honestly don’t care about it.”

  His smile lit his brown eyes, and he hugged her to him. “That’s my girl.”

  She smiled happily and then pulled away, suddenly serious. “As much as I want to elope with you, I can’t do anything to destroy Darcy’s wedding. If we get married before Darcy and Austin, she’ll be furious at me for upstaging her.”

  Brian studied her and sighed. “I guess you’re right. We’ll have to wait. Besides, my mother would be disappointed if we eloped.”

  Later, lying in bed next to him, Regan thought about the conversation and wished there was a way to make a secret wedding happen without hurting anyone’s feelings.

  CHAPTER NINE

  SHEENA

  Feeling better a few days later, Sheena headed out to do some Christmas shopping. It still seemed odd to her to be doing this when the temperature was in the low 70s, and decorated trees for the holidays were palms whose trunks were wrapped with lights. But after learning Boston was struggling with an ice storm, she loved the idea of a tropical holiday.

  As they did for Thanksgiving, the family was going to celebrate Christmas dinner at Gracie’s. Gavin’s was booked, and dining at Gracie’s meant Gavin’s people would be included as family. She and her sisters had decided to give each member of Gavin’s group a gift bag filled with little presents, sweet treats, and a very nice gift card. Getting into the excitement of the season, Meaghan had even offered to handmake a Christmas card for each one.

  It wasn’t difficult to decide on what to get her family. Having hastily discarded most of their winter clothes, they needed replacements more suited to their new location. As Sheena worked her way through department stores, she decided to pick up a few things for herself—something for the Florida winter.

  After seeing the clothes in stores catering to young women like Meaghan, the styles and selections Sheena looked at for herself seemed staid. She tried on several pairs of pants and wondered who would buy them. They were much too small for her, designed, no doubt, for the woman who dieted constantly. Scrutinizing herself in the mirror, Sheena vowed to cut back on Gracie’s good cooking. Gavin’s food was another challenge she’d have to learn to control.

  By the time Sheena had found enough practical and fun stuff for her family, she was anxious to get back to the hotel. She needed to relax for a while before closing out the registration office for Regan, who was meeting Brian and Holly for dinner.

  Back in her suite at the hotel, Sheena hid the packages she’d purchased and made herself a cup of coffee. Lunch had been a protein snack bar, and she needed a jolt of caffeine. Instead of giving her much-needed energy, the coffee upset her system. Sheena rubbed her stomach, wondering if she had an ulcer. No matter what it was, she vowed, she’d say nothing to anyone until after the holidays and the meeting with Archibald Wilson. Thinking of her upcoming trip to Boston, she picked up the phone and called her old doctor there for an appointment.

  CHAPTER TEN

  REGAN

  Regan checked herself in the mirror and sighed. It had been a long day working with Mo on Kenton’s house, and she was exhausted. That and a case of nerves made her wish she could postpone the dinner with Brian and his mother. Holly Harwood had always been warm and pleasant to her sisters and her, but Regan detected a certain wariness in her behavior lately. Brian told her it was nothing, but Regan wasn’t so sure. Something was going on. She hoped Holly didn’t have second thoughts about Brian’s and her engagement.

  She pinned a sparkly, gold Christmas tree onto her long-sleeved black dress and patted it with satisfaction.

  At a knock on her bedroom door, Regan called out, “Coming.”

  She stepped out to the living room to find Darcy and Brian in quiet conversation.

  “What’s going on?” Regan asked, glancing at the guilty expressions on their faces.

  A corner of Darcy’s mouth turned up impishly. “Christmas.”

  “Yeah, Darcy’s giving me a few gift ideas for you,” said Brian, winking at her. “C’mon, let’s go meet my Mom.” He held out an arm, and Regan took it to give him support.

  “Where are we going?” she asked as they left the suite.

  “Not far.” Brian’s appreciative gaze warmed Regan’s cheeks. “We decided on Gavin’s.”

  Regan gave him a lop-sided grin. “Perfect. We won’t have to drive anywhere.”

  When they entered Gavin’s, Nicole, acting as hostess, greeted them with a smile. “I believe your dinner partners are here already.”

  Brian and Regan glanced at one another with surprise.

  “My mother brought someone?” Brian asked, his voice rising.

  Nicole merely smiled and led them through the dining room to an alcove overlooking a small, private garden.

  Regan stopped in surprise when she saw Blackie Gatto seated beside Holly.

  “Hello, Mother, Blackie,” said Brian crisply.

  Holly smiled at them. “I thought I’d bring a date for such a nice occasion as this.”

  Blackie got to his feet, shook hands with Brian, and waited until Regan was seated before sitting down again.

  He gave Brian a steady look. “Your mother and I have been seeing one another for a while, and we thought it was time to share that with you.”

  Regan was as surprised as Brian appeared to be.

  Holly gave Blackie a smile that could only be called intimate. “Blackie has been an enormous moral support to me while you’ve been recovering from the accident, and the two of you have been making plans of your own.”

  Blackie covered one of Holly’s hands with his own. “It’s been nice. Real
ly nice.”

  Brian sat back in his chair and let out a puff of surprise. “Guess more changes are in store, huh?”

  “I know how close you and your mother are, Brian,” said Blackie. “That’s why I didn’t want to wait any longer for you to know what’s going on. You’ve been the man of the house, so to speak, for most of your life.”

  “Yes, I have,” said Brian quietly.

  Regan knew him well enough to understand it would take time for Brian to relinquish that role and thought Blackie was very clever to bring it up so early in the relationship. From the way Holly and Blackie were gazing at each other, this was serious.

  “This calls for a celebration,” Regan said, nudging Brian’s leg.

  He perked up. “Yes, we all have something to celebrate this year.”

  Blackie grinned. “I’ve already ordered champagne if you don’t mind.”

  Right on cue, the wine steward approached the table with a silver ice bucket that held a dark-green bottle. A waiter brought four tulip glasses to the table and placed one at each setting.

  The wine steward showed Blackie the bottle, and at his nod of approval, opened it. He poured a small bit into a glass for Blackie to taste, and then, after Blackie nodded his approval, he poured some into each guest’s glass.

  “Here’s to a wonderful holiday for these two lovely women,” said Blackie, nodding at Regan, and smiling at Holly.

  “Here’s to all of us,” Holly quickly chimed in.

  They clinked glasses together before taking sips of the bubbly liquid, and a momentary quiet settled at the table.

  “So, you say you started dating in September?” Brian asked.

  Regan knew by his challenging tone Brian was hurt by being left out and hastened to add, “It’s so nice you’re able to share the holiday together.”

  “Yes,” said Blackie. “Holidays can be pretty lonely, even with my brother, Rocky, around.”

  Regan studied him, seeing him in a new way. With his dark, curly hair edged in gray, strong features, and self-assurance, she’d never thought he might be lonely. At the opening party at Gavin’s, he’d been surrounded by women eager to talk to him. And as Gavin’s financial manager and now theirs, he was a successful businessman.