Red Lines (20 page)

She climbed behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Evan sped off through the fields.

H
AVEN LOOKED
at her reflection again. Maybe she shouldn’t have cut her hair. Mothers liked long hair. She pulled on the ends as if she could force an extra inch or two out of them. Evan acted as if this was the most naturally thing in the world, but he wasn’t the one meeting the family. He had already met hers, and in a more unconventional way than this. He didn’t need to impress them; he was already an employee at the family business.

“Darlin’, you ready?” Evan waited for her at the bedroom door. “They’re at the gate. Anna just texted.”

She checked her teeth once more for lip gloss and made sure her shirt was devoid of wrinkles. It was a pale blue. Evan said it made her blue eyes brighter. “I think so.”

She turned off the bathroom light and met Evan at the door.

He grinned. “Just remember, if I love you, they’ll love you. It’s part of the deal.” He took her hand in his. “I’ve got you.”

Looking in his eyes, she knew that was true. He wouldn’t let her stumble. He would be there loving her through every awkward moment of the night.

She locked her fingers over his, soaking in the warmth and strength from his grasp. “You know I love you too, right?”

“Darlin’, I know.” He paused before the banister post. His free hand slid to her neck and he bowed toward her, brushing his lips against hers. He pulled back and smiled.

She giggled.

“What’s funny?”

“What does your mother think about you wearing lip gloss?”

He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “See, you’re already causing trouble.” He winked. “Come on.” He turned and they descended the stairs.

Marta met them at the bottom of the steps.

“Sir, your mother and sister are here. They are waiting in the living room. Lenny and I have prepared some hors d ‘oeuvres, and he’s bringing cocktails out now.”

“Great, thanks, Marta. Sounds good.”

Haven thought Marta glanced over her outfit with a disapproving eye. These were her best dark jeans and Evan loved this top on her. She ignored the woman and focused on the energy she felt from Evan’s grip. Marta could keep her cranky mood to herself.

“Mama.” Evan crossed the room and hugged his mother.

“Hey, darlin’.” She smiled. She pecked him on the cheek when he leaned down. He towered over both the women.

“Hey, Anna.” He pulled his sister in a tight squeeze. “Y’all, this is Haven.” He stretched an open arm in her direction, and she walked toward the most important women in Evan’s life.

She extended her hand.

“Oh no, we don’t shake hands in this family.” Evan’s mother laughed. She wrapped her arms around Haven’s back. “We’re huggers all around.”

“That’s right.” Anna squeezed her next.

Haven noticed the family resemblance right away. Anna had dark blond hair, grayish eyes, and white teeth. She and her brother could probably pull off a twin’s story.

“Mrs. Carlson, Anna, I’m so excited to meet you.” She stood, hoping for some sort of sign that she had passed the first test. The hugs were a good start.

“Haven, just call me Patty, or even Pat. Ok? Mrs. Carlson sounds too stuffy.”

She nodded. “Ok, I can do that.”

Lenny walked into the room with a tray of food. He had pulled out all the stops for the Carlson women. He was probably just happy to cook for someone else other than her. That had to get old after a while.

“Look here.” Evan made room on the table for the spread. “This looks great, man.” He slapped Lenny on the back after he released the tray.

“Thank you. I’m bringing a few pitchers in next.” He walked out of the room toward the kitchen.

Anna was the first one to dive in. “I love coming here. You have the best food.” She smiled. “It would be more impressive if you cooked it yourself.” She laughed.

“Very funny.” Evan stood next to her to scoop up a plate of gooey nachos. Lenny had a secret recipe he guarded closely that made them taste out of this world. “At least there’s food.”

Patty patted the couch. “All right, Haven, come sit down. We want to hear all about you.”

Haven’s eyes darted to Evan. Was this going to be a painful inquisition? She didn’t have anything rehearsed.

Lenny returned with a pitcher of margaritas and one full of red sangria. “Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Thanks, Lenny,” Patty called after him. “Good to see you again.”

Haven took the glass of sangria Evan handed her, watching the orange slices float on top. She nestled into the pillows next to Patty. Evan poured more drinks and handed them to the women.

“Well, I don’t know what to say. What has Evan said?”

Patty laughed. “Not a whole lot. He’s kind of private this one.” She eyed her son across the room.

He shrugged his shoulders.

Anna sipped her margarita. “How long do you think you’ll be in Austin?”

Haven turned toward the sister. “As long as they keep wanting me to write songs. I’m working on an album right now.”

Evan piped in. “She’s being kind of modest. She’s working with Carly Stone on a new album and wait ‘til you hear what it sounds like.” He beamed at her across the room.

Anna’s eyes widened. “Carly Stone? I love her.” She turned toward her brother. “Aren’t you two friends?”

“Yeah, we used to hang out.”

Haven felt a prickly sensation crawl across the back of her neck. She still hadn’t untangled the extent of Evan’s relationship with Carly. It was that question she kept postponing.

“Thought so. Maybe some day you’ll introduce us to all your famous friends.” Anna smiled and turned toward Haven. “We never get to meet anybody. What’s the point of having a famous brother if you don’t meet any celebs?”

Haven shrugged her shoulders. She took it as a good sign the family hadn’t met Carly.

Anna continued, “I think that’s so cool you’re a songwriter. I used to want to be a writer, but I’m doing something completely different now.”

“Evan told me you run the Carlson Foundation. That must be a lot of work.”

“More than I planned on, but it’s taken on a life of its own.” Anna licked the salt rim on her glass. “I have to head to Austin before dinner and meet with one of our donors.”

Evan sat across from them. “Something wrong? Anything I need to know about?”

Anna rolled her eyes. “No, I have it handled. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.”

Haven had to stop herself from giggling. Anna was definitely the older sibling. Watching the two of them interact made her a little sad she didn’t have anyone like that in her life. Right now would be the perfect time to share the burden and pain of what was happening back home. A sister would have been nice, but watching them, she realized how much fun a brother could be too.

Patty interrupted the sibling squabble. “And what about your parents, Haven? What do they do?”

Haven dropped her eyes to her lap. This was the first time anyone had asked about her parents since the separation. She wasn’t sure how to address them anymore. “They— Um, my dad owns a store in the village.” She thought about how to describe her mother.

Evan leaned closer. “Actually, Mama, that’s how we met.”

“Oh, really?” Patty looked interested. She was getting first-time details.

“Sure is.” Evan smiled. “I took a job at her father’s store, and Haven was working there this summer before she got the writing contract.”

Haven exhaled. He said he would be there for her. He had her; she knew he did.

“That’s a sweet story.” Patty nodded. “Remember when you used to bag groceries in high school?” She laughed.

“Sure do. I think it was the part of my resume´ that got me the job.’” He winked at Haven.

“Wait, you bagged groceries again?” Anna’s eyes widened.

Haven giggled. “He did a lot more than that. He ran the kayak stand, stocked beer, and swept the floors.”

“Swept? You are not talking about my brother. I didn’t know movie stars could operate brooms.”

“Funny. Funny. Anna, what time’s your meeting? Want me to have Bud drive you?” Evan offered.

Anna looked at her phone. “I guess I do need to get going. Sure, if Bud wants to take me, that would be great. Then I don’t have to try and park. Mama, you ready?”

Patty took an extra sip of her drink and placed it on a coaster. She turned to Haven. “I’m going to do a little shopping while Anna does her foundation work. You want to go with us? Make it a full girls’ afternoon?”

“Yes!” Anna shrieked. “Come with us. It will be fun. My meeting won’t be that long. There are the best boutiques downtown!”

“Hold on now.” Evan stood up. “If the three of you go out, you’ll be gone all night.” His face twisted in a scowl.

Haven stood and wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to send a message with her eyes. This was important. If they were inviting her to do girl stuff, she had to go. “We won’t be that late. What time is dinner?”

Evan huffed. “Seven o’clock.”

“Then we promise to be back by seven, right?” Haven swiveled toward her new coconspirators.

“Of course, darlin’,” Patty reassured them. “I’m not about to miss Lenny’s cooking.”

Evan looked at the three of them. “All right. But don’t leave me here eating alone.”

Haven giggled. “Never.” She reached on her tiptoes and pecked his cheek. “I’m sure you’ve got work or something you can do until we get back.”

Anna picked up her purse. “He’s got a house full of toys. He’ll be just fine.”

Patty tapped her son on the back as they walked out of the room. “Don’t worry. We’ll be on time.”

“All right. All right. You girls have fun.”

Haven waved over her shoulder. It wasn’t the Friday they had planned, but she couldn’t turn away from this chance. She still had tonight and two full days with Evan. They could make up for lost time when she returned.

I
T WAS
exactly 6:50 when the girls returned to the ranch. Haven carried her new purchases over her shoulder, along with some of Patty’s.

Evan’s mother jokingly offered to check in with Evan and let him know they all made it back before his curfew.

Haven turned for the stairs. They had barely enough time to dump everything and make it to the table. Bud had driven faster on the return trip, trying to help them make their dinner date.

Anna was right on her heels.

“Do you think Evan will be mad?” Haven asked.

His sister laughed. “Who cares? We got the cutest clothes. And technically we made it back before seven.”

“True.” Haven stopped at the top landing. “Thanks again for my birthday scarf. I love it.” She couldn’t believe Anna had picked something out for her. They had only met this afternoon.

“I had to get you a birthday present for making my brother so happy.”

The comment made Haven blush. “I’ll put these in your mom’s room, drop my bags off, and I’ll see you downstairs.”

“Ok, see you in ten.” Anna rushed down the hall.

Haven smiled. The shopping trip had been an absolute success. The three of them got along as if they had known each for years, not hours. She could see where Evan got his good-natured personality. Patty was laid back and sweet. Anna was like the older sister she never had.

She raced to the first guest room and laid the dress Patty had purchased on the bed. Next, she tossed her bags in the back of her closet next to Evan’s side. She could unfold and hang them up tonight. She ran her hands through her hair. Talk about cutting it close. She jogged down the stairs, ready for a night with the man she loved and his family.

T
HE NEXT
morning, Evan placed his hands on Haven’s shoulders as they watched Anna and Patty pull out of the ranch driveway.

“I’m kind of sad they’re leaving so soon,” Haven murmured.

“I think they are too.” Evan waved at his mom and sister. “Quick trip.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet your dad.”

“Maybe another time.” He turned for the front door.

He still wasn’t budging on the topic. Joe Carlson was off limits.

“You think we could go to Brees sometime?” she asked. Patty had said they could visit anytime.

“Of course.” He held the door open for her. “But today is all about the birthday girl.” He grinned. “No more family talk, ok?”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted.

“Wait until you see what I have planned for you.” He took her in his arms and pressed her back against the wall.

“Evan,” she squealed.

He kissed her neck. “What? We’re mostly alone.”

Her lips met his, and she kissed him in the ranch foyer, not caring who ran into them. After all, it was her birthday.