AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Troy was engrossed in a conversation with Matt and Ari Tremont. Clay had just stepped away from Rosie to snag an appetizer off Fernsby’s tray, and Dane took his spot. “I have to congratulate you again on your gallery showing back in January.” All the Harringtons had complimented her on the great show after the soccer game, but Gideon had given Dane more news. “I hear you sold almost every painting. Your art is truly amazing.”
Gideon wrapped an arm around his pregnant fiancée, pride gleaming in his eyes. “It was so successful that she never has to crunch another number again in her life.”
Rosie had been an accountant, and Gideon met her through his sister, Ari. Rosie and Ari had been best friends since they were girls in foster care.
All the Mavericks had come from troubled backgrounds. Gideon joined the Army right out of high school to take care of his mother and little sister. And yet, for all his loyalty, after their mother’s death, Ari had been lost to him when she disappeared into the foster care system. He’d spent years trying to find her. It was an amazing story. Now he’d joined the family, along with Rosie and her son. And Jorge was treated like a treasured grandson, the same as Noah, Matt’s boy.
With Susan and Bob, Dane knew instinctively, there was always more love to go round.
Dane moved through the crowd—and it was a crowd. He’d spoken with Ari earlier, the kindergarten teacher. She’d met Matt when she became Noah’s nanny. Dane figured it had been love at first sight for both father and son.
He’d also talked with Paige Collins, who was a family therapist. From things she’d said, Dane had a feeling she’d helped bring Evan back together with his long-lost mother and the twins. Obviously, twins ran in the family.
Tasha, Daniel’s girlfriend, was a web designer, executing brilliant ideas for Daniel’s DIY empire, creating an amazing 3D application for Daniel’s customers to design their own kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living spaces, both indoors and out.
Dane was good at getting people to talk about themselves. He gleaned information by listening rather than talking. Cammie often told him that was his superpower, getting people to open up. He supposed it was true, but only because he was genuinely interested. Besides, he wasn’t one to talk much about himself.
Fernsby entered then, clapping his hands to gain everyone’s attention and saying in his sonorous, cultured British voice, “Dinner is served.”
Everyone took seats while Gabby helped Fernsby carry in the plates. He did not do buffet-style, instead plating everything himself and giving everyone a portion of each selection.
Dane managed to sit between Charlie and her mother.
“This all looks so scrumptious,” Francine enthused before delicately tucking in.
As they ate, he took the opportunity to tell Charlie, “I’ve seen your magnificent sculpture at Montgomery Media. The Chariot Race is one of the most amazing pieces of artwork I’ve ever seen.”
Charlie and Sebastian met when he’d commissioned her to create the stunning sculpture for his new San Francisco headquarters. Next to her, Sebastian beamed with pride, just as Gideon had over Rosie’s art.
Francine Ballard covered his hand with hers, her papery skin slightly cold. “You should see her dinosaurs. Charlie makes awesome dinosaurs. She even has a T. Rex. And I know your little dog is named after that ferocious beast. Maybe you need a big Tyrannosaurus Rex in your yard.”
Charlie laughed. “That might be a bit much for a little dog.”
Dane shook his head. “But that’s why he’s named T. Rex. He needed a big-dog name since he’s a big dog in his own mind. He’d love a big T. Rex.”
“He’d probably pee on its tail,” Charlie said, pretending indignation.
Francine giggled and flapped her hand. “They’re all rusty anyway, so it won’t matter.”
Dane saw a big T. Rex in his future to go along with his little T. Rex. Cammie would love it.
God, how he wished she were here. The need was a sudden ache in his chest, a hole she’d left behind. But Lochlan needed her now more than ever.
The meal was delicious, everyone complimenting Fernsby. He beamed with pride, though no one else but Dane probably noticed that shine in his silvery gaze. For dessert, he’d made his to-die-for mille-feuille.
Matt took a bite and moaned. “This is the most incredible dessert I’ve ever tasted.”
Gabby took her seat after helping to serve dessert. “Maybe we could try it without butter. What do you think, Fernsby?” She held up her vegan, gluten-free peanut butter brownie.
Fernsby gaped. “No butter? Have you gone mad? One must use as much butter as possible. How else do you get the pastry in your mille-feuille to puff?”
He returned to the kitchen in a huff, exiting to peals of laughter.
After Fernsby’s luscious dessert—why did that word make Dane think of Cammie, of her smooth skin and her luscious lips he’d tasted only for one night?—they moved once again to the enormous great room to chat over coffee and after-dinner drinks.
