Page 54 of Vegas Baby

A woman dressed in jeans and a white blouse shot out from the hallway, her steel grey hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was almost as tall as her grandson and thin beneath the voluminous shirt.

“Xavier,” Grams said, drawing him into a hug, her brown eyes locking with Raina’s.

Raina forced a smile, shifting from one foot to another.

She pulled back and tilted her head at Raina, curiosity in her regal face. “This young lady must be the friend you said you were bringing.”

Howler turned and held out his hand to Raina. She fitted her palm over his, bolstered by the way his fingers curled around her hand. “Grams, she’s not my friend, she’s my wife, Raina.”

His grandmother’s smile froze, her eyes widening before they turned liquid with tears. “You are married? Oh, my goodness, I never thought…I mean, I was hopeful, oh Lord, come here.”

Raina allowed Grams to pull her into a tight embrace and returned the gesture, unexpected tears in her own eyes. Raina couldn’t have hoped for a better reception and the tension in her shoulders relaxed. The older woman rocked back and forth as if she couldn’t believe what was happening. “It’s a miracle. You’re a miracle,” she whispered in Raina’s ear before she released her.

Her words warmed Raina, removing the remaining fear she’d carried with her on the drive to the mountains.

“Raina is it? What a lovely name,” Grams said.

“Thank you, um, Grams?” The last came out more of a question than a definitive. Howler never told her the woman’s real name and Raina never asked. Nor did she have a clue if they shared the same last name. “My apologies, I am unsure what to call you.”

Grams beamed at Raina, happiness radiating in her eyes. “Esther but please, call me Grams, you’re family now. Come on into the kitchen, I was getting ready to pack up the cookies.”

The house was bright with sunlight, eclectically furnished, and full of color. Grams led them down a small hallway into a huge kitchen with a long, rustic table with ten chairs. Dozens of cookies were cooling on racks spread out on the island.

Raina inhaled the sweet scent and her stomach growled. Howler picked up a chocolate chip cookie, broke off the end and held it close to her mouth. Eyes dancing, he flashed a crooked smile. “Try it, they’re the best.”

What was he playing at? Was he trying to ply her with sweets while he flirted with his eyes or simply pretending to be the loving husband in front of his grandmother? Perhaps it was merely her own unease over the deception they were perpetrating against this nice woman. Either way, she had a part to play. She opened her lips and accepted the proffered bite, but she could not enjoy the sweetness through the self-doubt.

“It’s awfully quiet in here, where is everybody?” he asked, shoving the rest of the cookie into his mouth, his strong jaw working while he chewed.

“Up at the creek. Clark is teaching the local 4H chapter how to fly fish. If you’d have given us more notice, I would have made him cancel…” Grams cast a disapproving stare at him.

Raina’s earlier tension returned twofold. She had a lot riding on this weekend and she didn’t want to start it out on a bad foot. “Oh, I hope we’re not inconveniencing you.”

Howler swallowed. “I texted her three days ago. And for the record, Pop is always fishing or hiking, the man practically lives outside.” He picked up another cookie, tossing it from hand to hand, unapologetic. “Fresh out of the oven. My favorite.”

Turning to Grams, Raina tucked her thumb into the front pocket of her jeans. “I’m so sorry.”

The older woman appeared far from upset. From the dimple in her cheek, she enjoyed the banter with her grandson. “Don’t be. I raised the boy and he’s right. Clark is an outdoorsman. He believes it’s good for the boys to get plenty of fresh air and exercise after the life they’ve had, they deserve to run wild.”

Grams grabbed a napkin, and shoved it into Howler’s hand. “I know you were raised on the farm, but you weren’t raised in a barn.”

The connection between the two was tangible, the kind love, respect, and history built. Given her history, Raina should envy their closeness, but she reveled in it instead. If things fell through between her and Howler, her child would still have this woman in their life.

“But your cookies are finger-licking good.” Unabashed, he demonstrated by licking the chocolate off his thumb, offering Raina a sensual grin as he did so.

Her cheeks heated and she glanced away, hiding her smile. He was incorrigible and each time he piled on the flirtation she became lost under the pressure of his charm. Would it last or would his attraction to her fade and he’d seek out another woman to take her place?

Like Miller had done time and time again. Howler isn’t Miller but he could very well be. You can’t live your life in ifs. Only time would tell.

Howler opened the fridge and inspected the contents, looking right at home. He’d grown up in this house and she could hear the love in his voice when he spoke of it.

“How many kids do you have now?” Raina asked.

“A full house, four little ones and two that are graduating this year. Don’t worry, we finished moving my office into the new building so there’s plenty of room in the guest house. I’d put you in the main house with us, but you said you were bringing a friend, not a granddaughter.” Grams pulled a large plastic container from the cupboard and began to pile the cookies into it.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Howler shut the refrigerator door, several bottles of water in hand. He gave one to Raina.

“Not as quickly as you’d like, Xavier.” Grams winked at Raina before clasping her hand. “But I will concede that I’m pleased, very pleased by your surprise.”

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