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A celebration of the joyous holiday flooded the home of Samuel and Deleigh Taylor that evening. Happiness was nearly palpable. The news of Mercuri’s and Tee’s expected bundle of joy had quickly circulated throughout the party. The couple had been pulled in opposite directions upon their arrival for congratulatory hugs, kisses and claps on the back.
The newlyweds and expectant parents Slayte and Prin were in store for the same treatment. Many in attendance for the Christmas party hadn’t seen the couple since their September wedding and were eager to bestow best wishes on them as well.
Who really stole the show, however, was Reina Eliades. Rutger’s and LuCarolyn’s baby girl was the darling of the event from the moment she arrived. Of course, it was the Taylor family patriarch and matriarch who had first dibs on kisses for the child.
Samuel and Deleigh doted on the baby more than anyone and proved they were more than ready for another little one in the family. While Reina was being passed around for kisses and cuddles, the Taylor’s youngest grandson arrived with his date.
Gib and Nica managed to steal almost as much of the spotlight as Reina. They arrived hand in hand and looked like a fashion plate of the perfect couple. Gib, who epitomized gorgeousness in everything he wore, was true to form that night in the dark suit coat and pants he sported with a charcoal gray shirt unbuttoned at the collar.
Nica was just as stunning in an ankle length work of art that adored her abundant curves. The emerald fabric shimmered subtly, accentuating the natural glow of her warm complexion as strikingly as its deep split called attention to her long legs. Guests had a moment to marvel over the two, but there was no time for party banter. The elder Taylors were first on the list to meet their grandson’s beautiful date.
Nica smiled, her eyes brighter while she adored Gib’s humble manner with his grandparents. He eclipsed Deleigh Taylor who stood all of five feet and was radiant in a sequined ruby red gown. At 6’1, her husband Samuel wasn’t lacking in the height department. Next to Gib’s 6’6, the elder Taylor had to look up as well while shaking hands and hugging his grandson. Nica’s smile remained, though her heart did make a flutter when Gib drew her close.
“Mema, Big Pop, this is Nica Sloane. Nica, my grandparents Samuel and Deleigh Taylor.”
“My word,” Deleigh sighed as her eyes scanned Nica from head to toe. “Now, it makes sense. It would take a girl as exceptional as you to get my baby out of his uniform.”
The suggestive remark drew quick, soft laughter from Nica while Gib sighed.
“Mema...”
Meanwhile, Samuel Taylor moved in to take Nica’s hand and press it to his chest. “Welcome child,” he said.
Gib watched the two, not at all surprised by the dreamy tinge to Nica’s gaze. Samuel Taylor could charm a woman in his sleep.
“Would you care for a drink?” Samuel asked.
“I would and thank you. You have-you both have a lovely home,” Nica said.
“Been in my family for generations.”
Surprise claimed Nica’s face. “No easy feat, I’m guessing.”
Samuel’s sly smile made him seem far younger than his 82 years. “Not at all, child. Not at all.” With that, he pulled Nica’s hand over the bend of his arm and they strolled away.
“How long are those pretty legs of hers?” Deleigh asked.
“Mema...”
––––––––
“These parties haven’t been the same with our Miss P gone for so many years.” Samuel shared as he and Nica wound their way through the party guests. “This year it’s better than it’s ever been. Happier.”
“I’m glad and glad to be part of it.” Nica’s eyes sparkled as she took in the sights of people talking, laughing, eating and dancing. In one corner of the grand tree-lit living room, she saw Bear amidst a group of singers belting out Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”.
“I’ve never been part of anything like this,” she added.
“Well, I’d say those days are over, dear. Especially if my grandboy has anything to say about it.”
“Oh-M-Mr. Taylor, Gib and I are just friends. We-we’re not serious.”
“Is that right?” Samuel’s expression reflected knowing, as did the cool easy timbre of his baritone voice. “You must not see the way he looks at you, then. Now,” he tugged her hand. “What will you have to drink?”
Leaning in, Nica squeezed the arm of her handsome escort. “Will you surprise me?”
Samuel winked. “My kind of lady.”
Laughing, the two strolled deeper into the chatter, music and festive lighting that warmed the house.
––––––––
“Lovely-just lovely. Clearly, a beauty, but with a lovely disposition, a lovely way about her.”
“Lovely, huh?” Gib gave his grandmother the side eye. He knew her well. “And what else?”
Deleigh wasted no time. “There’s a sadness in her,” she said. “I believe her heart’s been terribly broken, but there’s more.”
“Oh yeah? And just when did you get your psychology degree?”
“Not psychology, baby, just an observation. And I’ll tell you something else. I think being with you might be the best thing that’s happened to her.”
“Deleigh Taylor, are you saying that because I’m your favorite grandson?”
Warmly, Deleigh leaned into Gib’s side. “I’m saying that because I can see the way you look at her which is no surprise given what she looks like.”
“It goes beyond the looks, Mema.”
“Yes, yes, baby I’m sure it does.”
Gib only rolled his eyes.
“What’s more important is how she looks at you,” Deleigh went on. “Like she’s never seen you before-or I should say-never seen anything like you before. Like you’re a complete wonder to her.”
Gib’s laughter was hearty. “And you came to all these conclusions in five minutes?”
“Three, baby. First impressions, you know? Mine are quite powerful.”
Gib’s demeanor took a solemn turn. “Are the impressions good?” He asked.
Deleigh’s expression was intense when she looked up at her grandson. “Oh yes, baby. Yes they are.”
Gib’s solemn expression remained. “She’s keeping something,” he shared his concerns. “It’s painful, back in her past, I think, but I know it still scares her.”
Deleigh nodded, approval aglow in her youthful eyes. “Then isn’t our Miss Sloane blessed to have one such as yourself in her corner?”
Gib bristled. “I don’t think she needs anyone to rescue her, I believe she’s forgotten she’s able to do it herself.”
Deleigh reached way up to pat Gib’s cheek. “Even the mightiest among us need someone we can count on through the worst of it,” she said.
~~~
“Are you ready to run away screaming now?”
Nica laughed, feeling deliciously mellow in Gib’s arms as they swayed among other couples on the dancefloor in the Taylor’s den. Soft jazz piped through the room and provided a complimentary accompaniment to the holiday songs permeating the rest of the house.
“Why do you think I’d want to run?” A teasing light took shape in her eyes. “Has that happened before?”
“I’ve never brought anyone here before.”
Nica’s easy expression reflected shock.
“Is that so hard to believe?” He couldn’t help but to grin.
“I just...your family seems very intent on those ties. I assume you’d get a lot of grief showing up here alone year after year.”
“It’s true. They’re interested in those ties, but they’re more interested in those ties being happy ones.”
Nica’s bright eyes lost some of their sparkle.
Gib inclined his head. “Did I say something?”
“Oh,” she gave a start. “No, I-sorry.”
“And why are you apologizing to me this time?” A muscle flexed imperceptibly along his jaw-a sign of his temper heating. “You haven’t offended me, Nica. Even if you had, you’ve got the right to your own opinion.” He could feel her bracing against his hold then.
“Why do you do that? Draw into yourself? You don’t have to be afraid of me, Nica.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
“It’s not you, I-it’s how I was raised-taught.”
Her voice was barely above a whisper and Gib could see what the admission put her through.
“Taught what?” he pressed, not at all sure he wanted to know and quietly horrified that he already did. “Honey you don’t have to-”
“Women are for a man’s pleasure,” she blurted, squeezing her eyes shut as she silenced.
“Nica...” Gib’s voice was whisper soft then too. Gently, he slid his thumb down her cheek. “Honey, is this why you’re afraid?”
“No,” her smile was sad. “I mean, it’s um, it’s not how you think. It was all a long time ago. You know, the thing about old drama is that it always finds new ways to revisit.”
“What can I do?”
“You’re sweet,” Nica was dragging the back of her hand down his cheek then. “Don’t worry. I don’t need saving.”
“Maybe I do,” he cupped her neck in his palm and kissed her.
The act was deep and demonstrative in a way that quickly had Nica calling a halt to the moment.
“We can’t,” she pulled back as much as his arms would allow-which wasn’t far. “Not here, Gib.”
Devilry was alive across every inch of his dark, alluring face. “We kind of have to, you know?” With those words, he pointed toward the ceiling. The space was decorated with countless sprigs of mistletoe twined among muted gold ornamental lighting.
She would’ve laughed, but Gib was more interested in doing what custom dictated. For Nica, there was no use denying him, not when kissing him was what she most wanted. His tongue took deep and blatant possession thrusting, stroking, caressing. Nica knew she was moaning and appreciated the music’s volume drowning out her reaction. They were still...indulging, when someone clapped Gib’s shoulder.
“You gonna let the lady up for air anytime soon, cousin?”
Cheeks aflame from embarrassment, Nica hid her face against Gib’s neck and took refuge in the soft, yet spicy scent clinging to his skin. By the time he patted her waist, she was able to lift her gaze.
“Nica Sloane, my cousin Rasheem Taylor.” Gib watched them exchange handshakes and pleasantries.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be, Sheem? Like with your wife?” Gib asked.
“So disrespectful,” Rasheem regarded his cousin with an air of mock offense.
Nica felt laughter tickling her throat.
“Everyone here’s been introduced to the lady Big Pop can’t stop talking about. I’m the only one left out in the cold.”
“Hmm...and you didn’t take that as a hint?”
“I see how it is,” Rasheem nodded slowly, the teasing light still alive in his eyes. “I thought I was your favorite cousin, but I guess right about now it’s Mand.”
Sighing, Gib cleared his throat. “Nica, may I introduce you to my favorite cousin, Rasheem?”
“Much better.”
Nica laughed and shook hands with Rasheem Taylor again.
“Where’s Hen?” Gib questioned. “Doesn’t she know it’s dangerous to let you out of her sight?” he referred to his cousin’s wife Henria.
“I think she’s somewhere talking to Tee and LuCarolyn.”
“Well if you’re done bothering us, go find her and tell her we said hey.”
“No can do, cousin. Mema sent me over here.” A wicked grin took shape on Rasheem’s handsome face then. “She uh, saw how much y’all were enjoying the mistletoe-said it looked like you might be leaving soon.”
Nica was ready to hide her face in Gib’s neck again, but avoided the urge.
“She’d like a little chat with Nica. She’ll meet her in the parlor.”
“Uh oh,” Nica groaned.
“Don’t worry about it,” Rasheem waved off her distress. “Our grandparents are in love with you, girl. At this point, you can do no wrong. Though I gotta tell you that may not remain the case if you keep hangin’ around this fool-don’t let that Sheriff’s uniform mislead you.”
“Sheem, I swear-”
“A good night to you, Nica and a Merry Christmas.”
Nica could barely reply, for laughing. “Good night Rasheem and Merry Christmas to you too.”
Rasheem took his leave and Gib pulled Nica back into his arms. “Sheem’s right, you know? You can do no wrong.”
Doubt stirred in Nica’s eyes. “If you knew how wrong you were about that, you’d laugh.”
“I’m not wrong and you shouldn’t keep my grandmother waiting,” he guided her from the floor, adding. “It’s like Rasheem said, they’re in love with you.” Just like I am, he tacked on silently.
~~~
“I won’t keep you long, child.”
Nica quickly straightened from her crouched position before the chic Queen Anne chair she’d been studying. The furnishing was an exquisite piece of artistry with its calligraphic scrawl of names upon the creamy fabric. It took a moment to realize they were names of Taylor family members. Nica had been trying to find Gib’s name when the chair’s diminutive owner arrived.
“Sorry,” Nica said out of habit and gestured behind her. “That chair is pretty unique.”
“Calm yourself, child. There’s no harm in looking. I’m not that much of an ogre despite what my silly Sam probably told you.”
Nica laughed, her eyes softening as she thought of Samuel Taylor. “He adores you. I can see it everytime he says your name.”
“Funny you should put it that way, child.” Deleigh motioned to the mushroom colored loveseat across from her chair. “That’s just what I see everytime my Gib says your name,” she said once Nica was seated.
Immediately, Nica’s eyes went to the elegant Persian rug that covered much of the parlor floor. “We’ve barely known each other a week, Miss Del.”
Deleigh looked on approvingly in reaction to the hushed, humble manner of the devastating young woman in her presence as well as the fact that Nica hadn’t forgotten to call her ‘Miss Del’ as she’d requested.
“Some things don’t take a lot of time, my dear.”
“Some things should,” Nica’s cheeks burned over the things she’d done with Gib Taylor in the brief time she’d known him. “Miss Del, I think your grandson is an amazing man, but nothing except friendship can come from this. I live in California-Gib’s life is here.”
“Oh Honey,” Deleigh’s slender shoulders barely rose in a shrug. “That’s just about distance.”
A burst of honest laughter bubbled from Nica’s throat. “Gib’s right. You guys really do want him married.”
“It’s true,” again Deleigh shrugged. “We want to see him settled, but I think we’ve made it clear we want to see him happy.”
“Miss Del, I don’t think a man like him will have trouble finding a woman to make him happy. They must throw themselves at his feet.”
“And do you know he hasn’t brought one of them around to meet his grandparents?” Deleigh countered.
Nica smiled. “Well, I was on my way to your party anyway. Prin asked me to join them.”
“Gib could’ve easily stayed home,” Deleigh countered once more. “He’s done it before when he feared his mama and aunties had the matchmaking fever.”
“His...mother and aunts? Never you?” Nica boldly inquired and watched her gamble pay off.
Deleigh’s smile made her cocoa eyes sparkle as saucily as the string of gemstones wound through the heavy braid snaked around her head. “Gib’s mother and aunts don’t have my talent for spotting the real thing,” she said.
Despite her amusement, Nica felt another truth scratching at the fringes of her ease. “Miss Del, I um...I’m glad that you approve of me for Gib. The truth is I'm about as far away from being the right woman for a man like him as a woman can get.”
“You keep on saying ‘a man like him’ as if he’s something unattainable, sweetness.”
Nica laughed again. “Miss Del, he is! Trust me, he is.”
Deleigh folded her petite frame into the stately Queen Anne. “I don’t see how that can be given the way my grandbaby follows you around like a puppy,” her lips twitched on a new smile. “A Rottweiler-sized puppy,” she corrected and joined Nica in laughter.
“Miss Del,” Nica’s sober mood took root once more. “I’m...not a lady-not like you, Prin or Miss Sama-”
“Stop.”
An iron chord had taken shape in Deleigh Taylor’s voice. It left Nica with no doubt that despite her slight stature, the woman had quite the formidable streak.
“No one expects you to be anyone but yourself child, you hear?”
“I don’t think you’d approve of that.” Again, Nica looked at the vibrant rug. “My...self has a lot of room for improvement.”
“That’s not the end of the world.”
“I have a past, Miss Del.”
The little woman chuckled. “Oh baby, I’d be more concerned if you didn’t have a past-”
“Not like mine,” Nica squeezed her eyes shut, silently cursing herself for being impertinent. “Miss Del, I’m sorry, but Gib...he’s so good and I’ve done things-”
“That you should share with my grandson. Not with me. Now,” Deleigh left her chair and took Nica’s hands when she stood from the loveseat.
“As I was saying, I’d be more concerned if you didn’t have a past. A woman without a past is always on the hunt for adventure-never at peace or happy until she thinks she’s found it. A woman with a past understands that adventure ain’t all it’s propped up to be.”
Nica’s laughter took hold again and she nodded.
“Will you try to remember that?” Deleigh nodded encouragingly.
“I’ll try Miss Del. I promise.”
“Try to remember and try to believe it, yes?”
Nica wasn’t sure she could make that promise. She was still working on her reply, when frantic knocking landed on the parlor door. Nica was standing closest and looked to Deleigh for permission to answer. Deleigh gave her approval with a wave.
Prin waited in the hall. “Sorry for the interruption, Mema,” she said.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Deleigh queried.
Prin looked to Nica. “I just got a call from the Ashland Inn.”
It took Nica a moment for realization to set in. Amusement stirred. “Do they want their room back?” she teased.
Prin looked miserable. “That’s just it. They um, Nica someone was killed tonight.”
Stunned, Nica stumbled back from the door.
“Lord...” Deleigh breathed.
Nica slowly regained her composure. “Why’d they call you?”
Prin braced herself. “The body was found in your room.”