Waiting for You (6 page)

“
Me too.” Karise settled back into the lounger again and resumed
twirling the flower.

The rest of the trip passed in a happy daze. After his initial joy at
seeing Karise, Pablo had been concerned to hear her engagement ended.
Once he was appropriately convinced she wasn’t upset, his concern turned back to joy at spending time with his only daughter. His wife,
Lucia, used the time to put what she declared was some much-needed
meat on Karise’s bones.

Not sure what the protocol was for defunct engagements, Karise
debated calling William to be sure he was okay. Then she decided that
was an idiotic idea; it really wasn’t her business if he was okay. She
settled
on sending him a letter apologizing for any hurt she caused and
providing him with her forwarding address in California. After that was
finished, she tried really hard to put that chapter of her life behind her.

Curious as she was about her new home and life, Karise was still
sorry when the day rolled around to board the plane to her new world.
She would miss her family in Ecuador, more than she ever realized was
possible. So much so that she even toyed with the idea of staying.
Even with Jane taking on responsibilities for the family corporation,
McAlister Industries, Devon could still use the help. The business was
ever-expanding. If Karise wanted, Devon would find her a home within
it.
Something
deep within told her she had to take this
step
to California,
though. Not to run from being a McAlister as she had her entire life, but to find out what it was to live out of the shadow of a giant. Her
existence had been filled with giants to this point: her mother, the
McAlister name, William – they were all larger than life.

It was with a mixture of a heavy heart and a sense of anticipation
that Karise watched the earth grow smaller and smaller under her feet
as the McAlister private plane carried her towards her new home.
Devon
had already shipped her meager belongings to the address Kate
had provided, leaving Karise with only her carryon to pull through the
small Napa airport. Devon had offered to arrange for a car to meet his
sister in California, but Kate had insisted on picking Karise up. She was
there with infant in tow by the time Karise emerged from the building.

“I can’t
believ
e you’re really here!”
Kate
greeted her
enthusiastically
.
“I half expected you to change your mind.”

Karise was almost offended until she remembered that she had
almost changed her mind. “Nope. I’m here.”

“And just in time for Jonathan’s birthday party,” Kate added. “It’s
tomorrow night. I hope you’ll come.”

“I don’t want to intrude. That sounds like a family thing.”

“Nonsense. I’m an event planner; nothing is just family. Besides, it’ll be a great way for you to make some new contacts in the area.”

“People don’t argue with you often, do they?” Karise eyed her
new friend.

“They try. Gavin views it as a bit of a sport, really.”

That amused Karise. Despite having known the couple for such a short time, she could see that. Kate was a meticulously put together
person who
seemed
to thrive on order. Gavin, on the other hand, seemed
to thrive on disrupting Kate’s sense of order – in a mischievous kind
of way. Before she could stop it, Karise’s mind wandered to Aidan. He
seemed to take the same great pleasure in keeping Karise off-kilter. No
wonder the two were friends.

“Can I take your silence as a yes?” Kate persisted.

“Sure. Why not?”

“Fantastic! And that’s a definite yes?”

“I think so.” Karise was suddenly afraid.

“Then I should probably warn you that Aidan will be there. He’s Jonathan’s godfather.”

“Seriously, Kate? I haven’t even gotten in your car yet and you’
re already trying to set me up with him. Is this why you brought me to California?”

“No? I mean, sure, I hope the two of you will end up together, but I really did think you’d be amazing for this job. I promise I’m not trying to set you up.”

“Okay.” Karise suddenly felt like an immense ass for overreacting.
“Sorry. I’m blaming jetlag for my rudeness.”

“Apology accepted.”

The conversation ended as Kate set about buckling her squirming
son into his car seat. Karise waited in the passenger seat, willing her
stomach to stop fluttering and wondering if she’d made a colossal
mistake.

Once they were rolling down the highway, Kate glanced over at
Karise. “Would it be the worst thing in the world if I was trying to set
you up, just a little?”

Karise sighed heavily and closed her eyes. She wondered if there
was a way to make Kate understand her resistance. “Aidan is, well,
delectable. I know this. Trust me. I can’t be in the same room with him
without wanting to do really bad things. A lot.”

Kate giggled. “I knew it.”

“But that’s exactly the reason I’m trying so hard to steer clear of him. I don’t want to jump out of William’s arms and into Aidan’s. I really want – no, I
need
– to have some time that’s just mine.”

“I get it.” Kate tried to look sober.

“Thank you.”

“But if you should decide to take a little nibble of him, I don’t
think he’d complain.”

Karise just shook her head and leaned back in her seat, suddenly feeling every moment of her eight-hour flight.

The looming party somewhat dampened Karise’s excitement over
seeing her new home. That is, until she crossed the threshold of the immaculate stucco cottage. She instantly adored the gentle curves of
the structure, and the cheerful interior reminded her of everything she’d
loved about her apartment in Boston – without the entanglements.
Nestled into a corner of the property overlooking a pond, the cottage had its own set of gardens, with a bistro table situated in their midst.

“This is amazing,” Karise admired.

“Thank you.” Kate smiled in acknowledgement. “It was a little
overwhelming when I first found out I’d inherited half a winery. It was
a lot to take in.”

“You didn’t grow up here?”

“Albuquerque. I came here after one of those life-altering moments.
Actually, I went to San Francisco to track down my father. In the process,
I found my aunt on my mother’s side. Long story.”

“One I would love to hear sometime.”

“Definitely,” Kate agreed. “After you’ve showered, though.”

“Are you saying I stink?”

Kate smiled. “I promise you smell fine. But if I were you, I’d be exhausted.”

“It would be nice to freshen up.”

“And then you’ll come to the main house for dinner? My aunt and
uncle are looking forward to meeting you, and Gavin wants to say hi.
He pouted when he got held up in meetings and couldn’t make it to the airport.”

“Will there be any surprises at dinner?” Karise eyed her warily.

“None. Scout’s honor.” Kate was solemn.

“Were you ever even a scout?”

“No, but I think it still counts.”

Karise gave what she hoped was a face that said she meant business
and agreed to dinner. Kate had been right – a shower felt divine. So
did fresh clothes. Since she was meeting Kate’s family for the first time,
she opted for a coral dress that she hoped was casual enough to look
like she wasn’t trying too hard yet nice enough to impress them. It
was comfortable and had a flirty twirl to the skirt that made her feel
distinctly
feminine. The more she thought about it, the more she worried
about being overdressed, so she went with cute boots instead of heels.
She stepped out the door and then circled around to head right back in, grabbing a jacket from her bag before setting off again.

Karise followed the path back to the main house, pausing long
enough to appreciate the
spectacular
sunset and the way the light played
with the rolling hills of grapes. She hadn’t thought any place on earth
could be as
beautiful
as Devon’s home. She’d been wrong. Her temporary
home was every bit as breathtaking, if in its own way.

Dinner had been set up on the veranda, its aroma extending down
the pathway to greet Karise. Candles flickered merrily, reminding her
of meals at Devon’s. She realized with a start that the similarity pleased
her. She really had grown fond of her brother and his home now that she’d chosen to let him in.

“Karise!” Gavin, the only family member outside, was the first to greet her, although his greeting was quickly followed by a hello from their massive yellow and white mutt, Ty. Kate had warned her of the
dog’s tendency toward exuberant greetings, so she braced herself. “It’s
so good to see you.”

“Thanks. You too… Oh my, hello puppy.” When the dog stuck his
massive, wet nose in the most embarrassing place possible, Karise
realized she wasn’t as prepared as she’d thought.

Without missing a beat, Gavin hauled the dog off her. “You look lovely, my dear.”

“And you look quite handsome.” She brushed her skirt out, eyeing
the beast warily when Gavin let go of his collar.

“Can I get you a glass of wine? I’d offer you something else, but I think that’s a form of sacrilege here.”

“Wine is perfect,” she said.

“Which do you prefer?” He motioned to the bottles.

“I’m afraid to choose. I’ll only show my ignorance.”

“Don’t be silly. If it tastes good to you, how can it be wrong?”

“Chardonnay?”

“Terrible choice,” he tsked and then winked at her. “Kidding.”

“Kate’s right – you are incorrigible.”

“Yeah, speaking of that…” Gavin took a deep breath and plunged
ahead. “I kind of invited Aidan to dinner tonight.”

Karise took a deep breath in preparation for a response when Gavin
rushed ahead.

“It was before I talked to Kate. She didn’t know, I promise. Please
don’t be mad at her.”

That took the wind out of
Karise’s
reply. She sighed and narrowed
her eyes at him. “Just remember, I’m not smitten with you, so that
rakish charm won’t get you as far with me as it does with Kate.”

“But you do acknowledge the charm.”

Karise sipped her wine and gave Gavin the evil eye.

“Appetizer?” He gestured to the table.

“You mean that’s not dinner?” She took in the immense spread.

“They pulled out all the stops for you.”

“Why?” Karise couldn’t help asking.

“We like you.”

She had the distinct impression he wasn’t telling her something
but let it drop. The headlights bouncing down the driveway had placed
her heart firmly in her throat anyway. She was surprised to note that
Aidan drove a rather beat-up old truck. It wasn’t quite the bad-boy-
mobile she would have pictured.

Panic flared when the truck stopped. “Do you think Kate needs
help with anything inside?”

Gavin’s grin was positively evil. “I think she’s got it covered.”

“I need to use the ladies’ room.” Let him dispute that one.

The grin erupted into a chuckle, but he relented and motioned to
the French doors behind her. “Through there, take the hall to the right,
it’s the first door on the right.”

She nodded, set her wine
glass
down on the table, and bolted. K
aris
e
couldn’t be sure, but it sounded a lot like Gavin’s laughter followed
her down the hallway. Alone in the bathroom, she rested her forehead
against the cool marble of the sink and tried to calm herself down.
You’re
being ludicrous
. She was angry with herself for being afraid of
one silly man. Or rather, of her reaction to the aforementioned silly man.
It was that ire that helped her pull it together so she looked almost
regal by the time she reappeared on the veranda, which had filled since
her departure.

“Karise, you look so pretty tonight.” Kate greeted her with a hug,
whispering in her ear as she did. “Are you going to kill me?”

“Nope. It’s all good,” Karise promised, returning the hug.

“Aunt Joan, Uncle Mason, this is Karise – the friend we made in Boston and our new architect.” Kate made introductions.

Karise worked really hard to avoid eye contact with Aidan while
she exchanged pleasantries with Kate’s family. For his part, he seemed
content to play with Jonathan, who obviously adored him. She knew
this because she watched him every chance she got. If it was possible,
she’d forgotten how sexy he was in the two short weeks since they’d seen each other last. Her time in Ecuador had dulled the experience,
softened it. Now the whole thing came back in full force. He was a
beautiful man, and she wanted to wrap herself around him.

Her attention was drawn away from Aidan by Mason. “Did you bring your portfolio with you? We’d love to see some of your ideas.”

“No, I didn’t. Most of my work has been in the corporate setting
so far.” Karise felt woefully unprepared for her new undertaking. Now
they probably saw it, too.