As she sat in the passenger seat of Jack’s truck, Kat wrapped a loose thread from her scarf around her pinky. In her dazed state, she coiled it so tightly, she cut off the circulation, turning the tip white.
Jack cast a worried side-glance in her direction. “Are you okay?”
“Uh-huh,” she lied, unraveling the strand to restore blood flow to her throbbing finger.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m nervous, too,” he admitted, turning onto State Street. “And it means a lot to me that you’re here.”
He gifted her with a warm, grateful smile that momentarily eased her frantic nerves.
Focusing her gaze on the twinkling lights creating a canopy above the tree-lined street, she tried to settle her racing heart by taking slow, intentional breaths.
When Jack had explained his family’s wassailing tradition and invited her to join them, she’d been touched and surprised. Considering his long-standing feud with his father, she hadn’t expected Jack to go home during the holidays, let alone request her company.
On one hand, she couldn’t help reading into the significance of his invitation. It had to mean something. One didn’t simply bring a casual acquaintance along for such a monumental occasion, did they?
On the other hand, she wasn’t convinced meeting his family under such tense circumstances was a good idea. Maybe he should break the ice with his father first?
As if reading her thoughts, Jack added, “Don’t worry. My family takes hosting very seriously. In their mind, a tense or uncomfortable moment is as unforgivable as serving lukewarm tea to the Queen of England.”
Despite her anxious energy, Kat smiled. “And you’re sure they won’t mind me coming along?”
“Mind? They’ll be thrilled. Especially Lucy. She squealed on the phone for five whole minutes when I told her we’d be coming. I thought for sure she would pass out from lack of oxygen.”
Kat’s hands relaxed in her lap, comforted by the thought of finally meeting Jack’s sister. The woman sounded as warm and kindhearted as Jack, and she had a feeling they’d be fast friends. At least, she hoped they would be.
“Jack…” She hesitated, wanting to tread carefully. “Do you think it would be helpful if I knew what happened between you and your father? I wonder if having some context or background would help me interpret the dynamics between the two of you.”
He shifted his grip on the steering wheel, contemplating her question. When they reached the end of State Street, he turned right onto a wide, scenic road. The large, luxurious homes on either side seemed to increase in grandeur as they rumbled past.
“I want to tell you everything,” Jack said, sounding sincere. “But we’re almost there. For now, let’s just say my father used his wealth and connections to influence my life in a less than positive way. And he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Kat nodded, her chest aching on his behalf. While her emotions toward her mother were complicated—and Helena had caused her enough pain to last two lifetimes—her wounds were indirect consequences of her mother’s vices, not intentionally inflicted as Jack’s had been. Not that the knowledge made it any easier to forgive her.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, subconsciously resting her hand on the bench seat between them.
She hadn’t realized she’d done so until he reached for her, entwining their fingers as he steered with one hand. He paired a gentle squeeze with another smile that made her heart flutter. “I know I’ve said this before, but I really appreciate you being here.” He looked like he was about to say more, but they’d arrived at their destination. Releasing her hand, he put his truck in park.
A pang of disappointment rippled through her, but when she glanced up, her shock took over.
The palatial Georgian-style mansion seemed to stretch on forever, ending in a carriage house that had been modified into a massive garage that could easily fit a fleet of fancy cars.
A department-store-worthy tree stood in the center of the circular driveway and a coordinating wreath hung on each window and door, of which there were several. Every light in the home appeared to be switched on, and coupled with the lampposts lining the drive, the entire house glowed against the backdrop of the wintry night sky.
No sooner than he’d flicked off the headlights, the front door swung open and a young woman emerged in full Victorian garb. Her pristine updo—glossy, period-appropriate ringlets that framed her pretty face—threatened to come loose as she skipped down the stone steps and raced across the gravel drive.
“That’s Lucy,” Jack chuckled as he hopped out of the driver’s seat. “Get ready to be hugged.”
Kat watched, unable to hide a smile as Lucy tackled Jack in a bone-crushing hug, rumpling her elegant dress in the process.
“Easy,” Jack gasped. “I won’t be able to sing if you collapse my lungs.”
“Good,” she giggled. “Then Liam will owe me one. He’s always complaining you sing over him, since you’re the only two baritones in the family.” Noticing Kat, Lucy beamed in her direction. “You must be Kat, who I’ve heard so much about.”
Without hesitation, Lucy gathered Kat in a welcoming hug, thankfully using less force than she had on her brother. “I’m so glad you could come. Mom and I are sorely outnumbered by the boys. And Jack said you have the voice of an angel.”
Kat flushed, stealing a glance at Jack. His complexion appeared particularly rosy, but she reasoned it could be from the cold.
He cleared his throat. “Are you going to invite us inside? Or should we freeze out here in the driveway?”
Rolling her eyes, Lucy tucked her arm through Kat’s, leading her toward the house. “I don’t know how you put up with my brother.”
“I think it’s his cooking,” Kat teased. “He makes the best flapjacks.”
Jack caught her eye and the look that passed between them set her cheeks ablaze.
And in that moment, she had a feeling the night would be nothing short of perfect.
When Lucy whisked Kat away after introductions to change into her caroling costume, Jack felt oddly exposed. Her presence had provided a buffer, and now, standing in the middle of the opulent sitting room, his collar dug into his throat. He tugged, but it hardly budged.
“She’s lovely, Jack.” His mother broke the awkward silence as she flitted toward the rolling drink cart to top off her eggnog.
Elaine Gardener hadn’t aged a day since Jack last saw his mother. Her pale-blond hair remained coiled in a permanent bun. And if anything, her porcelain skin had fewer wrinkles than he remembered.
“She’s pretty great,” he said flatly, not ready to divulge the full extent of his feelings.
“How’d you trick her into dating you?” Liam, his youngest brother, teased from his lounging position in the overstuffed armchair by the fire. He looked so grown up in his elaborate ensemble that included white gloves and a top hat.
“Did she ever eat at your diner?” Everett asked with a devilish grin. “I’m going to bet on food poisoning. It can make people delirious.” As the middle child, his jokes were always a tad over the top.
“That’s certainly a possibility,” Jack chuckled. He’d missed their good-natured ribbing. And truthfully, he regretted letting the bad blood with his father come between him and his brothers. He should’ve made more of an effort to stay in touch.
“Don’t listen to them.” Micah, the second oldest, rested a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “They’re just bitter because you’ve found yourself a woman like Kat and we’re all still single.”
“It’s a travesty,” Elaine announced. “All my boys are tall, handsome, and successful. What’s not to love?” She cupped Emmett’s cheek, gazing at him fondly.
Jack was glad to see Emmett had finally differentiated himself from Everett with a closely trimmed beard. As identical twins, they had always been difficult for Jack to tell apart. Which they used to pull numerous pranks in their childhood.
“Successful to varying degrees.” Richard Gardener poured bourbon from a Waterford crystal decanter into a matching tumbler.
Jack gritted his teeth, suspecting the clarification was meant for his benefit. Maybe a holiday truce had been expecting too much.
Micah cleared his throat. “Ready to don your fancy duds? Lucy rented all the costumes from some production company that specializes in Victorian-era films. Since you’re the eldest, your outfit comes with a cane.” He flashed a wry grin.
“Hilarious,” Jack snorted, grateful to his brother for lightening the mood.
He’d known coming tonight wouldn’t be easy. But if he could swallow his pride, he had a slim chance of getting through the rest of the evening without his temper flaring.
Being back among his family, he realized he didn’t want to lose them again.
And not even his father’s underhanded remarks could ruin the joyful occasion.
At least, not if he could help it.