A Family, At Last

“I don’t do portraits.” Once again panic had set in her eyes, joining her fear or anger or whatever else she was feeling.

“I saw your art in your apartment—”

She laughed, high and harsh. “The last time I was home my mother insisted I take them with me. I did them in high school. I took pictures and copied them. That’s right. Be scared. I can’t follow through with what you just promised. I might be able to sketch her if I practice a lot, but paint a portrait?”

“You have to.”

She blew out a breath and stared at the ground. “I don’t even have any equipment.”

“We’ll figure something out. Will you try?”

“Of course I’ll try. Just lower your expectations, okay?” Karyn looked toward the house. “She’s adorable. I’m sorry for the situation I put you in, but I’m glad I got to see her and glad I’ll spend time with her.”

“It’s fine. Let’s unload your car.”

Karyn couldn’t get a read on him. She figured he would be so angry with her, but he just seemed...contained.

He reached into her car and hauled out her bags. He picked up the largest suitcase and her garment bag and stood back while she got the others. His mouth quirked up on one side, making him seem years younger than thirty-eight. He was ten years older than she. His graying temples didn’t age him as much as his weathered face, as if he’d been in the sun a lot—or had lived a hard life. She followed him to the house. “You told me before that you have a big family. Does that include siblings?”

“I have three brothers and two sisters. I’m the oldest. The youngest is in her last semester in college. She just got home last night for Christmas.” He opened the door then let her precede him.

Inside, Karyn stopped and stared at the beautiful house. Home, she corrected herself, because it looked comfortable and was filled with personal items like photographs and original art, not all of it Western. Wood dominated but not overwhelmingly. The furniture was slightly oversized, the upholstery inviting. He had a fondness for tabletop-size sculptures, mostly free-form but a few horses, too.

“You coming?” he asked from the top of the staircase.

A suitcase in each hand, she rushed up to meet him then followed him down a hall.

“Did you expect to stay a month?” he asked, nodding toward her suitcases.

“I didn’t know what the weather would be.” She hefted one of them. “Shoes.”

His brows lifted, and she challenged him with a stare in return, daring him to comment.

“That’s Cass’s room on the right,” he said, not pursuing the subject. “You’re on the left.”

“And where are you?”

“The other end on the same side as yours. Don’t go getting any ideas, though. I lock my door at night.”

“I didn’t—I mean, I won’t—”

He laughed. “Just kidding.”

She sort of laughed, too, if a little shakily.

“My door’s always unlocked.” He disappeared into what would be her room, still chuckling to himself.

She liked that he’d teased her, even if it had caught her off guard. Their time together would go much smoother if they could relax enough to joke around with each other.

“This is beautiful, Vaughn, as is the rest of your home.”

“Thanks.” He eyed her. “Is there anything left to bring upstairs?”

“Nothing I need at the moment.” She would leave Cassidy’s gifts in the car for now. They weren’t Christmas gifts, after all. “What’s the dress code for tonight?”

“We’re casual on Christmas Day, but we’ll dress up a little tonight. Not like a fancy dress or anything, but your best jeans and a sweater or something.”

Karyn realized she’d been smiling for a while now. Her best jeans? That was easy. “What time?”

“We’ll head over as soon as Cass is ready. Will that give you enough time?”

“Works for me.”

“I’ll leave you to it then.” He went out the door, pulling it shut behind him.

Karyn opened her garment bag and hung up her clothes, finding the outfit she was looking for and leaving the remainder of the unpacking for later. The guest room seemed huge without him. Like the rest of his house, there were no frills here, but it wasn’t sterile either. Plus it had a private bath.

Her reflection confirmed how tired she was, but a good night’s sleep would cure that. For tonight, his family would be a distraction at a time she needed it most.

Karyn changed into a dark green V-neck sweater with sparkles through it, black skinny jeans and a pair of spiky black heels dotted with rhinestones. She added sparkly snowflake earrings and necklace, spritzed on a little vanilla perfume, then dabbed on some lip gloss.

Her goal tonight was not to get caught staring at Cassidy. Vaughn would understand her obsession, but the rest of his family might think differently.

Karyn could hear Vaughn talking to Cassidy in her room, so she went downstairs to wait. She’d just taken a seat in the living room when Vaughn and Cassidy joined her. Cassidy’s hair was still damp, her curls distinct. She wore jeans shoved into boots that were dressier than the ones she’d left on the porch and a pale blue sweater with snowflakes knitted into it.

“You look very festive,” Karyn said to her. “Christmassy,” she explained when the little girl frowned.

“So do you. I like your sweater.” She raced toward the front door. The girl always seemed to be running.

Karyn saw Vaughn’s gaze drop to her chest. “I like your sweater, too. And your shoes, Hollywood.”

Karyn laughed at the nickname. She slipped her jacket on as they went outdoors into the chilly night. “Do you get snow here?”

“Yes,” Vaughn answered. “Although more on Gold Ridge Mountain than on the ground here. We get enough snow days to make the schoolkids happy.”

“It keeps Bigfoot away,” Cassidy said. She hopped into the backseat of the truck.

“Bigfoot lives here?”

“Oh, yes,” Cassidy said. “And we have lots of UFOs, too. That’s unidentified flying objects.”

“My goodness.” Karyn fastened her seatbelt. “Have you seen one?”

“Not yet. When I’m older I’m going to camp out on the mountain and see for myself. I’m skeptical.”

Karyn laughed at that, noting Vaughn smiled as he put the truck in gear and took off. “I imagine you’re on winter break from school.”

“For two whole weeks. I’m in first grade. We have so much homework to do. I ride the bus.”