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“Your dad and Gigi are outside. I’m going to get another mimosa. Do either of you want one?”
When they both declined, Kerry sauntered off, reminding Leah of a model strutting up and down the catwalk. She waited until the woman was out of earshot before she spoke. “That’s your father’s wife?” It was an unnecessary question, but it still slipped out.
Considering Piper’s age, it made sense Gavin’s stepmother was younger than his father. However, she’d expected to meet a woman maybe ten or twelve years younger than Donald Kincaid, not a woman young enough to be his daughter.
A sound she couldn’t label escaped him before Gavin spoke. “Yep. There’s a considerable age difference between them. But somehow their relationship works. They’ve been together twelve years. Their marriage has lasted longer than all of Dad’s other ones combined.”
Maybe the fourth time’s the charm.
They joined Gavin’s dad and grandmother outside. At the moment they were the only ones there, but the white tent set up suggested a lot of guests were expected for this afternoon’s party. Whether they were all family members or Piper’s friends was anyone’s guess.
“Before the guests arrive, I’d like to speak with you,” Donald said after greetings were exchanged. “Assuming you don’t mind of course, Leah.” He smiled at her, causing him to look even more like an older version of Gavin. “Business matters. I’m sure you know how that goes.”
Oh, she knew all too well. Countless times Dad or one of her uncles had needed to address work-related issues in the middle of parties and family gatherings.
Gavin appeared ready to protest, but she spoke up before he could. “I don’t mind. Really.”
“We’ll keep each other company and get to know each other better,” Gigi added. “We didn’t get much of a chance to talk when I brought Erin home.”
Gavin still looked torn between discussing business and sticking by her side. Finally, he squeezed her hand gently before letting go. “I’ll be right back.”
She watched the two men walk away already in conversation.
“Excellent, they’re gone,” Gigi said. “Now I can tell you all about what a wonderful man my grandson is—not that I need to I’m sure. But he is my favorite grandson, and I’d be remiss in my grandmotherly duties if I didn’t make sure you knew just what a great man he is.”
Her own grandmother might have a favorite grandchild, Leah really didn’t know, but if Grama did, she never let it be known.
Gavin never spoke about any cousins. If Gigi’s only two grandsons were Gavin and Harry, it was no big surprise Gavin was her favorite. “How many grandsons do you have?”
Gigi patted the chair next to her. “Five. And I have three granddaughters. Gavin is the oldest of the group,” she answered before launching into what was clearly one of her favorite topics.
Leah listened patiently as the older woman sang Gavin’s praises. Eventually Piper and Erin found their way outside. When Erin spotted her and Gigi sitting together, she pulled Piper over to them.
“When can we do another cooking lesson?” Erin asked, hugging her great-grandmother.
“I’ll check with your dad and see what works,” the older woman promised. “Have you introduced Piper to Leah yet?”
They’d met briefl
y while she was dating Harry, but Leah wasn’t sure Piper remembered.
“Piper, this is Leah. She’s Dad’s girlfriend.” Erin took care of the introductions.
“I thought you were Harry’s girlfriend?” Piper asked.
Great, she remembers meeting me.
Both Erin and Gigi looked as confused as Piper.
“We, ah, we dated for a little while, but it didn’t work out. We weren’t a good match.” Talk about the understatement of the century.
“Piper has a new trampoline. We’re going to use it. Do you want to come?” Erin asked, apparently satisfied with Leah’s explanation.
She remembered the exact last time she’d used a trampoline. It had been at her uncle’s house. Despite the heat, she and her cousins Courtney and Juliette had started a backflip contest on the trampoline. Her first attempt went fine. Somehow on her second she missed the mark and landed on the ground, breaking her arm in two places. She hadn’t stepped foot on a trampoline since. Leah wasn’t going to break that record today, even if it would make Erin happy.
“I’m going to pass today. But have fun.” And be careful. She kept the rest of the sentence to herself.
The girls ran off to another part of the estate, leaving Leah alone with Gavin’s grandmother.
