Page 120 of Fire and Ice

Jack didn't answer, but merely slammed the door shut in his brother's face.

***

"I can't eat another bite," Derek groaned into his plate.

To feed fifty people for Thanksgiving, there were an assortment of appetizers, three roasted turkeys, three baked hams, and all the fixings and desserts provided by the caterer. Aunt Nat's husband Bert had fried a turkey, and had been the cause of the emergency that morning. The fryer he had brought had a faulty valve which Jack was able to fix to save the day.

By now everyone was in turkey day coma, lounging everywhere in the house watching football or in the study with Robert smoking a cigar and drinking brandy.

"I don't think I can either," Maia said as she released a very unladylike burp.

"Ew, does Jack know you do that?" Derek chortled as he nearly choked on his beer.

"No, too soon in the relationship," she retorted and Derek laughed harder.

On his way for a second plate, Jack was dragged into the study by his dad to discuss business with the other corporate types who had been invited to the festivities. Frances was busy fleeting from huddle to huddle, acting the consummate hostess and making sure everyone had everything they needed.

As for Maia and Derek, they were partners in crime, demolishing more than their fair share of Thanksgiving dinner.

"You know, I always wondered how a little thing like you could eat so much," her friend said as he eyed her trim figure.

"I'm sure it'll catch up with me sooner or later," Maia said sadly as she contemplated getting more food.

Aunt Nat suddenly plopped down on Jack's seat. "So Maia, we haven't had a chance to talk to each other. I'm Natalie, Nat for short. I'm Frances's sister."

"It's great to meet you," Maia replied politely, suddenly on guard.

"So I hear you're a marketing executive for a medical company?" Aunt Nat began.

"Yes, I am," Maia smiled as she shoveled the last slice of ham into her mouth.

"Sorry to hear about your accident last week, that bruise on your cheek must hurt. So how did a defense contractor and marketing executive get together?" Nat asked curiously.

"Oh, through Derek here, of course," Maia said sweetly as her friend choked again on his beer. "Derek and I are old friends."

"Oh really," Stephanie purred as she sidled up to their group. "Did you and Derek ever hookup? These two men like to pass their women around," she said maliciously as Aunt Nat gasped in outrage.

"Steph dear, I think you've had enough to drink," Aunt Nat snapped.

Stephanie looked at Maia with pure venom. "You know, Jack only ever loved Claire. He's not capable of loving anyone else."

Derek got up and pulled Stephanie away. "I think you've had enough to drink, let's get you some water."

The blonde trained her glazed eyes on Derek and leaned into him suggestively as she walked away with him.

"Jack has so much love to give, Maia," Nat said gently after the pair left. "It may have taken him a while to love again, but that man looks smitten with you."

"Jack and I like each other," Maia replied carefully. "We've known each other less than a month."

Nat's eyes widened. "Really? And he's already invited you to Thanksgiving? Hmm, Frances was right. When McCord men fall, they fall hard."

Maia smiled: Frances and her romantic ideas.

Aunt Nat was regaling Maia with stories of Jack as a boy when a stocky Italian looking man dropped into the seat Derek had vacated. "Aunt Nat! Happy Thanksgiving to you."

"Tony Bianchi! Are you married yet?"

"Well, if you would introduce me to this lovely lady, it may happen soon."

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