Page 48 of Fire and Ice
Grady looked at her with amusement. “No comment.”
“That’s right. You, too.” She smiled. “It is pretty cool that the homegrown local gal, Ellie McLeod, is the voice of the lead character for Myth Hunter. She’s a regular in my dress shop.”
He nodded. “She’s a great gal.” Ellie lived with her new husband, Tucker Rawlings, on their horse ranch outside of King Creek.
Grady tilted his head toward the front door. “I have a few things to bring in.”
DeAndra swept past them, copper hair swinging over her shoulder, and stood in front of the TV, staring down her brothers. “You two should say hello to Grady and help him get his stuff from outside.”
Grady said, “I can get it.”
DeAndra shook her head and narrowed her gaze at the twins. “Come on now.”
They set their controllers on the coffee table and said in unison, “Yes, Mom.”
Chelsea smirked. “Brad and Joe seem to think they have three moms sometimes, between me, DeAndra, and Anneka.”
“The boys turned twenty-one earlier this year,” DeAndra said. “I can still remember when they were small enough for me and Anneka to boss around.”
“You still boss us around.” The first brother, wearing a blue University of Arizona shirt with the Wildcat logo, held out his hand to Grady. “I’m Joe, the good twin.”
“Great to meet you.” Grady shook his hand. “Myth Hunter is currently my favorite game.”
“You should join us.” The second twin, wearing a maroon Arizona State University shirt with the Sun Devil mascot on it, gripped Grady’s hand next. “I’m Brad, the better twin.”
They released hands, and Grady looked from one twin to the other. “If it wasn’t for your shirts, you’d look like mirrors.”
“One reason why it’s good to go to different schools,” Brad said.
Joe nodded. “Even if he is a Suck Devil.”
“It’s better than being a Wild Asshat.” Brad punched Joe’s arm. “You’re just pissed because we won the Territorial Cup this year,” he shot back, referring to the annual U of A vs ASU game. Grady had heard the rivalry games went back to 1899.
Joe punched Brad back. “We’ll kick your asses next year.”
“You’d think they were still in middle school.” A young, pretty woman with short, mahogany hair captured Grady’s attention.
She held out her hand. “I’m Anneka. Welcome to our Christmas celebration.”
When he started to raise his hand to grip hers, she laughed and pulled him into a hug. “None of that hand-shaking stuff with this family.”
“That’s true.” DeAndra hugged him when Anneka stepped back. She gave an impish grin. “I was just so excited to meet you.”
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you all.” Grady smiled. “I’d better grab the stuff out of my Pathfinder.” He headed out the door and to his SUV with Joe and Brad joining him.
“Is this where we tell you that you need to be good to Chelsea, or we kick your ass?” Joe said with a false stern note in his tone.
“We could tie him to an anthill.” Brad came to a stop when they reached the vehicle. “After pouring honey all over him.”
“Great option.” Joe grinned at his twin. “I do like the idea of a giant vat of burning oil.”
Grady laughed. “She deserves to be treated like a princess.” He grabbed three large bags and handed each brother one of them. “I won’t let her down.”
“You’d better stick to that promise.” Brad looked at Joe. “I’ll handle the first round of surveillance. You can take second shift.”
Grady shook his head. He liked her brothers and their clear concern for Chelsea’s happiness, even though they were teasing about the oil and the anthill.
Once they were back in the house, Grady took the gifts he’d brought for each member of the family and put them beneath the Christmas tree. He pulled out two bottles of wine from one bag, and Anneka took them from him.
