Page 15 of Holiday Haven

Was it possible she was Joy's mother?

CHAPTERFIVE

Adam wished he'd thought to use his cell phone to get a picture of the woman for Alec. He mentally reviewed her description as he headed toward his parents’ house for dinner, knowing Alec would want details.

After parking his car on the street in front of his parents’ home, he strode inside and found his family gathered in the kitchen. “Hi Mom, Dad.” Crossing over, he gave his mother a hug and a kiss, scanning the room for Alec. “How are you?”

“Good.” She flashed an easy smile, and he was glad to note she didn't look strained or exhausted.

He raised a brow, searching her expression for the truth. “Are you sure? How's your hip? Giving you any pain?”

“No pain. My hip is fine. Look, Austin has surprised us with a visit, too.” His mother seemed thrilled to with the prospect of cooking for so many of his siblings. “Abe.” She turned to his father, a large, gentle man who was the rock in their family. “Take everyone into the living room and get them something to drink, won't you? I have hot apple cider if anyone is interested. Dinner will be ready in half hour or so.”

“You heard your mother.” Abe's deep voice boomed through the kitchen. “Let me know what you want to drink as always there's a variety of soft drinks to choose from if you’re not interested in hot apple cider.”

“Cider sounds great to me.” Dismissed from the kitchen, Adam clapped his younger brother Austin on the back as they followed their father into living room. “Hey, I haven't seen you in months. How's the smoke-jumping?”

“Going as well as can be expected.” Austin didn't smile and the expression in his brother's eyes reflected his somber mood. “The fire in Esperanza is finally out, at least.”

Austin had trained as a firefighter and paramedic, but for the past two years had been working on the smoke-jumping team fighting wildfires in California. Adam could tell something had happened, but a crowded room didn't seem the appropriate time or place to ask.

“Where's Alec?” He took the mug of hot cider from his father's hand.

“He can't make it.” Amber spoke from her perch on the arm of the sofa where her husband was seated. “Shannon has a cold, so he and Jillian are staying home.” Amber leaned into Nick when he wrapped an arm around her waist. “By the way, Adam, guess who I ran into today?”

Hiding his disappointment over Alec absence, he arched a brow. “Why don't you just tell me instead of making me guess?” He wondered how soon he could call Alec to let him know about the mystery woman.

“Thanks Abe,” his mother said as she entered the living room and accepted the mug of cider from his father. He was glad to see there was no hesitation in his mother's gait. Maybe she really was doing better after all.

“Krista Vaughn.” Amber's tone was light, teasing. “She told me she's a nurse at Children's Memorial and that she's working on an interesting case with you, Adam. That safe haven baby you told us about.”

“Oh.” He took a hasty sip of his cider and winced when he saw his mother's eyes widen, gleaming with interest. “Krista is a nice kid.”

“Kid?” Amber's eyebrows rose with barely repressed indignation.

Nick groaned and shook his head. “Now you’ve done it,” he muttered.

“Excuse me?” Amber's voice rose as she continued, “Krista and I went to high school together, so you better rephrase that. We are not kids. We are women.”

When Krista had touched his arm, the tingle that had shot through him had made him keenly aware of her. Not that he wanted his family to know anything about that. He tried again. “Hey, that's my point—you're both the same age. You're my kid sister. Krista has always been like a younger sister to me.”

“Hrmph.” Amber was clearly irritated with him.

“Austin, help me out here,” he cajoled his brother.

Austin didn't smile. “I remember Krista, she was a few years behind me in high school. She was quiet and shy, a little plain maybe, with that bad dye job, but she was a sweetheart. Smart, too.”

“She's not plain.” His automatic denial burst out before he could bite his tongue. Austin was right about the bad dye job, but he decided to keep his mouth shut. He shouldn't be noticing Krista as a woman at all. Why couldn't he keep her tucked in the little sister box where she belonged?

“You'd hardly recognize her, Austin,” Amber agreed. “I almost didn't realize who she was at first. She’s let her hair grow long and went back to her natural color of chestnut brown. She wears contacts, too, or had laser surgery, I’m not sure which. She’s beautiful.”

“Hmm, maybe I should give her a call,” Austin said pursing his lips. “I wouldn't mind taking her out while I'm home.”

What? Adam straightened in his seat, glaring at his brother slouched on the sofa. “She's not the sort of girl interested in a quick fling, Austin. Unless you're moving back home for good?”

“No.” Austin’s gaze clouded. “I'm only home for the holidays.”

Austin had been gone for the past nine months, and it sounded like he'd be heading back to California again soon. Adam frowned, not liking the way his once carefree younger brother seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

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