Page 55 of Vegas Baby

“I am glad.” The pressure of the ever-present tears threatened to derail her and she nodded, lowering her lashes to hide the sudden emotion. From the first second the woman hugged her Raina fell in love with Grams. She hoped the goodwill would continue throughout the years, no matter the outcome between Raina and Howler. “Ho—” You’re supposed to be in love, use his real name. “…Xavier told me you’re a foster parent. It must be tough and rewarding at the same time. While I’m an attorney for the Pioneers, I do pro bono work and handled a young woman who wanted to be emancipated from the system. It was a tough case and from what she told me…I’m sorry, I’m rambling.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad to know Xavier married a compassionate woman and an attorney for my favorite team and one of the charity’s biggest sponsors.”

She worked hard to keep her jaw from dropping and forced a smile. Grams had a charity and he neglected to tell her that. She nodded and pretended like it was common knowledge.

“Grams’ Kids wouldn’t be what it is today without Xavier’s help. Of course, Sam and the other athletes at his agency help promote his charity.”

Grams’ Kids was a charity that gathered much needed supplies for newly fostered children. Sam had first brought it to her attention and she’d made it part of the team’s community outreach program. The entire time she never knew Howler was behind it.

Her respect for him grew, along with her guilt. Here she was, comparing him to Miller based on surface observations. Of course, he hadn’t exactly given her any reason to think otherwise. He’d portrayed himself as a shallow playboy. Yet the man he pretended to be wasn’t the real Howler.

“Do you like to garden Raina?”

“Yes, I used to garden with my mother but not since I moved out of her house.” Brandi loved gardening and one of Raina’s earliest memories was planting flower boxes with her. It was one of the few activities they did without fighting over Raina’s looks, temperament, education. Name the subject and they’d butted heads, especially over Miller. “We don’t have much of a yard, but then you probably already know that.”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t. because I’ve never been invited over to my grandson’s house,” Grams said, raising one arched brow, the light of mischief belying her chastisement.

“You don’t need an invitation. You can come over any time. We have lots of room,” Howler said, guilty color rising to his cheekbones. His grandmother was turning up the heat and she almost felt sorry for him.

All the more reason to keep to the family clause of the contract. It was easy to forget about family while building a career or business. Although Raina had her own ambitions, she wanted to make her family the top priority.

“Perhaps I should. Then I would have known my grandson was getting married.” She said it in a light tone but hurt threaded the statement.

Howler flashed Raina a here we go look. Were the circumstances of their marriage different, she wouldn’t have sympathy for him but theirs wasn’t a normal relationship.

“It was spur of the moment. Raina and I were in Vegas to sign a player. It seemed like the thing to do at the time,” Howler said.

Raina was impressed by his phrasing but the shame over their deception hung like a cloud over her good mood. His grandmother was a nice woman, warm and loving. She deserved the truth but sometimes an omission was the better bet. The whole ignorance is bliss argument had merit.

“Wait a minute. You were in Vegas a few months ago. You’ve been married for two months?” She asked, hefting the cookie container in her hand.

Raina watched his flush increase and indecision mark his brow. What could he say without disclosing the awful circumstances behind their marriage? She got me drunk, and I got her pregnant didn’t make for a romantic story.

“It’s my fault,” Raina blurted out, breaking the seal on the bottle. Mouth dry, she sipped at the liquid before she continued. “I insisted we get married in Vegas. He didn’t want to but—”

“She convinced me otherwise. I’d recommend never getting into an argument with her if you can’t afford to lose, she can be very persuasive.” Although this was for show, her heart warmed at his compliment.

His ringtone cut through the quiet kitchen and he pulled it from his pocket. Perfect timing. Although their explanation was feasible, it still didn’t explain the time lapse or the true reason for their marriage. They’d decided to tell their respective families in their own time and from the relief in his voice, he wasn’t ready to tell his grandmother the truth.

“Why don’t you two head up to the creek, I’ll be right behind you,” Howler said.

“Don’t be too long. You promised,” Raina reminded him, staring pointedly at the phone. She wasn’t about to let him leave her alone to answer all the awkward questions.

He rolled his eyes but the mischievous grin he tried to hide weakened her knees. Yep, giving in to her baser needs had been a huge mistake, one she intended to make over and over again, despite her mind’s protest. She’d let the cat out of the proverbial bag and she wouldn’t go back, no matter how dangerous it was to her sanity.

Cookie container in hand, Grams exited out of a pair of French doors and into a sweeping English garden. Howler said the property was large and he hadn’t exaggerated. Horses grazed in a distant field in front of a picturesque red barn, and behind the guest house was a large basketball court.

“We have a rule, no phones during family time,” Raina explained, inhaling the fresh mountain air. The land had a gentle incline and rows upon rows of rhododendrons and roses dotted the path that Grams guided Raina along.

“And whose idea was that? It’s like pulling teeth to get him off the phone,” Grams said on a laugh.

“Mine. I hated it when I was a kid but I think it’s a good idea.”

“Yes, Xavier works too much. I’m glad you’re giving him balance. How long have you known him?” she asked.

“For a while, actually. He was representing Sam for his renewal contract. We met in the coffee shop and according to him, I didn’t give him the time of day.” The truth with a few blurry lines.

“I’m glad to know he found someone who challenges him. Xavier is strong-willed, which I’m sure you’ve discovered. Just like his…” her smile fell before she caught herself.

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