LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, after Talia walked Molly and Derek put the finishing touches on his gift for her mother, he met Talia at her house with a bag of groceries. When they were cooking breakfast that morning, Talia had mentioned that her mother’s favorite dish was vegetable kugel, and he’d promised to teach her how to make it. Now she sautéed leeks while he shredded vegetables.
“You make everything seem easy,” she said.
“That’s funny.” He set down the zucchini he was shredding and moved behind her. “You make everything hard.” He kissed her just above the neckline of her soft pink sweater. She stopped stirring as his hands came around her waist, and he said, “Uh-uh. Caramelized leeks need stirring, Tallie girl.”
She sighed needily and angled her head to the side, allowing him to lavish her with openmouthed kisses.
“Is this how you teach all your girlfriends to cook?” she teased.
“I only have one girlfriend, and I actually prefer to teach her naked, but I’m afraid hot oil and bare skin don’t mix well.”
She leaned into him and said, “That’s what cooking time is for, remember?”
He growled in her ear and nipped at her lobe, earning the sexiest little gasp. “I’m glad you remembered.” When he’d promised to teach her to make the dish, he’d also promised to make the cooking time well worth her while and had proceeded to tell her about all the things he planned to do while the kugel was cooking.
After fulfilling all his dirty promises, they drove to Talia’s childhood home, which Willow and Zane had purchased from her parents when her parents had moved to a smaller home around the corner. Derek gazed up at the sprawling white Victorian, waiting for his nerves to kick in, but all that came was the urge to claim Talia in front of her family. To let them know how special she was to him and that they didn’t have to worry about him hurting her. But first . . .
He climbed from the car, feeling Talia’s eyes on him as he came around to help her out. She went rigid in his arms, a bundle of nerves and unsurety, both of which he aimed to obliterate as he brushed his lips over hers. She grabbed the front of his jacket, kissing him carefully at first. He took the kiss deeper, running his hands up her back and into her hair, and he felt her tension draining from her limbs. He continued kissing her, slow and sweet, until she melted against him with a dreamy sigh. Only then did he put a whisper of space between them and gaze into her eyes.
“That has to hold me over for a very long time,” he said.
“Then maybe we should do it again, just in case dinner runs late.”
She didn’t have to ask twice.
After several heat-thrumming kisses, he grabbed her mother’s gift bag from the back of the car, and carried it, along with their covered dish, and draped his other arm around Talia.
“You didn’t have to get my mother a gift. What is it?”
“You’ll see,” he said as they climbed the porch steps. “I bet you have a lot of good memories here.”
“A lot of loud memories.” She placed her hands on his chest, making it clear she wasn’t ready to go inside yet. “Whatever you do, don’t accept any lotions, oils, or any other little gifts from my mother. She swears she puts love potions in them. My family is probably going to be super annoying.”
He chuckled. “Families are supposed to be annoying. It’s their job to embarrass you, and I’ll bet they put me through the wringer to see if I measure up for their very precious sister and daughter. I think I can handle them.”
“I haven’t brought a guy home for years, so they might just stare at you slack-jawed.”
“Babe, do you really think they can scare me off?”
“They can scare me off,” she said flatly.
“Then I’ll have to hold on tight.” He hauled her in for another kiss, balancing the dish against his hip. If her siblings were going to try to make her feel funny, he’d make sure she knew he was right there with her every step of the way and give her something much better to focus on. He heard the front door open and continued kissing her a second longer than he probably should have, but she felt too damn good to let go. And he knew she thought she didn’t measure up to her sisters, and he wanted whoever answered that door to know, even sight unseen, that she blew them away—and nothing would come between them.
Three formidable men stood shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, glowering at him with what he assumed were supposed to be threatening expressions, but the only one who pulled it off was the one on the left, the broadest of the three. He had military-short hair, granitelike features, and a glare that could cut steel. Derek recognized the dude in the middle as her brother, Ben, from the pictures he’d seen at her place. Ben was slimmer, though still muscular, had a softer face, and warm though serious brown eyes, while the third guy looked like he was going to bust into hysterics at any moment. He recognized him, too. It would be hard not to recognize Zane Walker, who’d spent years as an A-list actor.
Derek met their glares with a friendly expression. “How’s it going?”
Zane straightened his spine, lifting his chin in greeting. Ben and the tough guy on the end mimicked his chin lift but didn’t crack a smile.
“Good Lord,” Talia said under her breath.
Ben nudged Zane with a tight expression, causing Zane to double over in laughter. Guess he’s not such a great actor after all.
“Dude!” Ben shook his head as laughter fell from his lips.
Zane splayed his hands. “What?”
Derek stifled a laugh.
“You three are ridiculous.” Talia waved at them. “Derek, meet Bodhi Booker, Bridgette’s fiancé, who, believe it or not, is smiling at you right now.” The edges of Bodhi’s lips twitched. Talia had explained that Bodhi was a guarded guy who had seen such treacherous things when he was fighting overseas, he didn’t open up easily. “My brother, Ben, and Zane Walker, Willow’s husband.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ben said warmly. “Hurt my sister, and you’ll have him to deal with.” He pointed at Bodhi, who stood up straighter, puffing out his chest.
Derek was glad Talia had men looking out for her.
“Forget Bodhi.” Zane chuckled. “Hurt Talia and you’ll have Piper to deal with.” He shook Derek’s hand.
Bodhi almost cracked a smile as he outpowered Derek’s friendly grip.
“Nice to meet you,” Derek said as a woman who was petite as a bird with fierce eyes and straight blond hair came down the hall behind them, followed by a much curvier, friendly-looking blonde, her gaze set on Zane. He recognized Piper and Willow because they fit Talia’s descriptions to a tee.
“Here we go,” Talia said as Piper bullied her way around the men and set her hands on her hips, staring at Derek with a shocked, and appreciative, expression.
Willow put her hand on Zane’s shoulder. “What kind of trouble are you boys causing?” She glanced at Derek and blinked several times. “Wow.”
“Hey.” Zane swept her into his arms, making her laugh.
“I just meant, wow, they’re here,” Willow said, though no one was buying it. Even Talia rolled her eyes.
“My ass, you did.” Piper stepped onto the porch, shamelessly looking Derek up and down. “Where have you been Talia’s whole life? And where can I get one of you?”
“Apparently in the college parking lot,” Ben mumbled.
Derek chuckled.
“Okay, that’s it.” Talia took Derek’s hand, pulling him toward the door as she said, “Derek, this is Piper. She has no filter.”
“I have a filter,” Piper argued. “I just choose to go unfiltered.” Her eyes swept over Derek again. “You look familiar.”
“Because he looks like that guy you liked from Lost that you lusted over for so long,” Willow said. “Hi, Derek. I’m Willow. Moderately filtered.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you all. It’s nice to meet you. And, Willow, thank you for making baklava the other night. It was delicious.” He held up the covered dish and said, “Wait until you see what Talia made.”
“Good thing Mom cooked,” Ben said as they headed toward the kitchen.
Derek glared over his shoulder. He knew Ben meant it as a joke, but he felt protective of Talia, and he wasn’t going to let tonight turn into a circus at her expense. “Watch yourself,” he warned. “You’ll be eating those words when you taste this.”
Talia squeezed his hand. The surprised and appreciative look in her eyes made the disapproving look in Ben’s worthwhile. He kissed her as they entered the kitchen, where there was a flurry of activity going on. He recognized the rest of Talia’s family from the pictures in her house. Her mother’s blond curls billowed around her smiling face as she set a tray of meat in her husband’s hands.
“You’re here!” Her mother hustled across the kitchen toward them, her long colorful skirt swishing around her legs. She hugged Talia. Then she opened her arms to Derek and said, “Hi. I’m Roxie, and I’m so glad you made it.” She embraced him, and as they drew apart, she touched his hair. “I brought you a bottle of my special body oil. I’ll have to remember to bring you some of my lavender conditioner next time for that gorgeous head of hair.”
“Mom,” Talia said. “No potions, please?”
Derek chuckled, remembering her warning. “I’d love some conditioner, thank you.”
“Uh-oh,” her father said. “This one has no idea what he’s in for.”
With his button-down shirt and khakis, close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, and serious eyes, Dan Dalton was exactly as Talia had described on the drive over, as conservative as her mother was bohemian. He reminded Derek of Talia, and Derek would put money on the fact that behind that professional facade was a man with a wild side.
“Oh, I think I do.” Derek reached for Talia’s hand. “I welcome your wife’s secret potions where Talia’s concerned. As beautiful and smart as she is, I’ll bet all the single guys in town lust after her. I’ve got to keep ahead of the competition.”
“Damn right you do,” Ben said with a nod.
“My mom’s potions work,” Bridgette said as the most adorable brown-haired boy ran into the kitchen and nearly barreled into her. “I’m Bridgette, Bodhi’s other half, and this cutie Louie’s mom. It’s really nice to meet you.”
“More food, Mom!” Louie pleaded, arms outstretched.
Bridgette set an enormous bowl of salad in his hands. “That’s it, baby. You’ve got it.”
“Bodhi! I’m taking it into the mess hall!” Louie’s eyes caught on Derek, and he stopped in his tracks, his little brows knitting. “You have long hair like my mom. Mom says little boys should have short hair so they aren’t mistaken for girls. Do you get mistaken for a girl?”
“Hardly,” Piper said with a snort-laugh.
Bridgette’s eyes widened. “Louie, I’m sure he doesn’t get mistaken for a girl. This is Derek, Talia’s . . .”
“Boyfriend,” Derek interjected, earning a blush from Talia. He set the kugel on the counter and bent so he was eye to eye with Louie. “Nice to meet you, Louie. I like a man who speaks his mind.”
Louie beamed proudly. “When I get older, I’m going to be in the military like Bodhi was, so I gotta have short hair. But I might be a baseball player, or maybe a dog trainer. I’m good with our dog, Dahlia.”
“How about if we practice your serving skills?” Roxie suggested. “Why don’t you and Grandpa take the food into the dining room so we can eat?” She eyed the kugel. “May I?” She reached for the cover and peeled it off. “Oh my, this looks delicious.”
Murmurs of agreement rolled through the kitchen.
“Derek’s teaching me to cook,” Talia said proudly, leaning into him. “It’s vegetable kugel.”
Her mother’s gaze softened with the look he remembered seeing in his own mother’s eyes when he’d played the guitar or sang for her. It was the adoring look of a mother, and he loved seeing it aimed at his girl.
“She’s letting you teach her?” Bridgette asked and glanced at Willow, who raised her brows. “Talia is the teacher, not the student. That’s . . . amazing.”
An uncomfortable look washed over Talia, as if she’d been outed. He wondered about that, but before he could say anything, Willow said, “She must really trust you.”
“Of course I do,” Talia said.
The sound of the front door opening called everyone’s attention.
“Hello?” a feminine voice rang out.
“In here, Mom!” Bodhi hollered.
A beautiful middle-aged woman with a mane of black and silver hair appeared in the entrance to the kitchen. “Hello, sweetheart.” She kissed Bodhi’s cheek as Louie ran into the kitchen and plastered himself around her legs.
“Grandma Alisha!” Louie took her hand and led her to Derek. “This is Derek. Don’t worry. Nobody thinks he’s a girl. He’s Talia’s boyfriend. Derek, this is my grandma. She speaks her mind, too. You’ll like her.”
Things moved quickly after that as the women ushered them into the dining room, where they feasted on brisket, potatoes, salad, homemade bread, and a handful of sides. Talia’s family devoured the kugel and took full advantage of teasing him and Talia, and one another, which was a welcome change from his own quiet dinners. Even Bodhi had loosened up, gracing Derek with a genuine smile when Derek told Louie that the vegetables in the kugel were sprinkled with magic powers that he’d only have control over after he ate them. But Derek had noticed Bodhi flashing plenty of those smiles at Bridgette and Louie, and he understood that, because his best smiles were reserved for Talia.
Ben speared a forkful of kugel and said, “I still can’t believe you taught my sister to cook. She’s the microwave queen.”
She was also the kissing queen, the lovemaking queen, and the only woman who had ever been able to make him want to try to fit more into his life. But her family didn’t need to know all of that. Only Talia did, and by the loving look in her eyes, he had a feeling she already knew.
“What else did Derek teach you?” Bridgette waggled her brow.
Talia leaned into him again. He gazed into her eyes and said, “I think you should be asking what else she taught me. Your sister is a remarkable woman.”
“If he’s this good in the kitchen, I wonder how he is in the—”
“Piper!” Roxie chastised. She huffed out a breath and then turned brighter eyes on Derek and Talia. “This kugel is delicious. You two make a wonderful team.”
“Hopefully in the kitchen and the bedroom,” Piper said under her breath, ignoring her mother’s warning.
Talia glared at her. “You do realize your nephew is sitting right next to you, don’t you?”
“She can’t see me,” Louie said. “I’m invisible.”
“Must be those magic vegetables,” Bodhi said, and gave Derek an appreciative look.
“Apparently Derek knows all kinds of magic,” Willow said. “Talia mentioned that you were taking her skiing?”
“Yes, next weekend,” Derek answered.
“Ten bucks says she stays in the lodge,” Piper said.
Zane gave Derek an I’ve-got-your-back look and said, “I’ll take that bet and go double or nothing.”
Everyone got in on the joke, and Talia took it all in stride, making snarky comments and rolling her eyes, but Derek vowed to give her something to come back and rave about, even if she didn’t ski. Although he had a feeling there was a lot of competition in her big family and a little one-on-one attention, without the pressure of her younger siblings zooming down the slopes, might go a long way.
“How about if we take care of these dishes so we can get to birthday cake?” Ben picked up his plate, and everyone rose to help.
“Cake!” Louie hopped off his chair and yanked on Bodhi’s hand. “Get up, Bodhi. The faster we clear the table, the faster we get Auntie Willow’s cake.”
Zane pulled Willow to her feet and into his arms, heat brimming in his eyes. “I want all of Auntie Willow’s sweetness.”
“There’s so much love in this room,” Roxie said dreamily as she rose to her feet. “This is the best birthday gift a mother could ask for.”
“I’ll say,” Alisha agreed. “Nothing makes my heart happier.”
Dan kissed Roxie’s cheek as he guided her back down to her seat. “You two ladies sit and relax. Tonight we’re spoiling Roxie, which means Alisha gets to be spoiled, too.”
As Derek carried dishes into the kitchen, his mind traveled to his own parents. He wondered what they would have been like as a couple at this age if things had been different. He missed his mother every day, and as he watched Talia’s parents, he realized how much he missed his father, too.
In the kitchen, Bodhi took the dishes from his hands and turned back to the sink, where he was washing pots and pans. “You okay?”
The girls carried dishes into the kitchen, laughing over a whispered conversation the guys were not privy to. Then they gathered around Roxie and Alisha at the table, looking at magazines.
“Yeah. Fine.” It was interesting watching Talia with her siblings. She had a great sense of humor, and she was sexier than all of them put together. But what struck him the most was that while the others seemed to compete to be seen and heard, Talia was content in the background, observing or maybe watching over them.
“Chick time,” Ben said as he set a platter on the counter. “They’re looking at wedding shit, which is our cue to stay in here.”
“My life has become one wedding decision after another,” Bodhi said.
Zane carried in the last of the dishes and said, “It’s estrogen overload in there. They’re in full wedding mode. Willow and I did the right thing by eloping. Not only did we escape the media, but we didn’t have to spend weeks worrying about wedding dresses and flowers.”
“Hey,” Bodhi said, “we’ve got the flowers covered.” He looked at Derek and explained, “Bridgette and I run the flower shop in town. Did you get the lowdown on everyone?”
Derek picked up a dish towel and began drying a pot. “I think so. Talia said you do some sort of Special Forces training, Piper and her dad run a contracting business, Zane’s working on getting a screenplay made into a movie, and Ben’s an investor. Did I get it right?”
“Yup. Now you just need to give us the lowdown on you.” Ben crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “What don’t we know?”
Derek chuckled at his forthright question. “Let’s see. I’m pretty much an open book. I take care of my old man, who has Alzheimer’s, and lost my mom when I was a teenager. I work at a bar for the flexibility in my schedule and the tips, and I’m finishing up my master’s. But I doubt that’s what you want to know.” He set down the pot and began drying another one. “I’m totally into your sister, Ben. Talia fascinates me on every level. She’s brilliant, interesting, stunningly beautiful, and she’s got a soft heart. All you need to know is that I’m not a dick, and I’m not a cheater. I’m just a guy with a lot of responsibility who feels lucky to have connected with such an incredible woman.”
“Well, hell, Ben,” Zane said. “The guy’s got game.”
Bodhi turned off the water and dried his hands, exchanging an empathetic look with Ben.
“I’m sorry to hear about your parents,” Ben said. “And as far as Talia goes, she deserves to be happy. I’m glad to hear you’re not a prick, because I’d hate to have to beat the living shit out of you.”
Derek chuckled, though he knew Ben wouldn’t hesitate to try if it meant protecting his sisters.
“I lost my father when I was young,” Bodhi said with a tight expression. “There’s no filling that hole, is there?”
“I’m sorry to hear that. There’s no filling it. It’s the navigating-around-it part that sometimes makes things tough,” Derek said, feeling a kinship developing. “But I’ve gotten used to it now.”
“Roxie and Dan have been like second parents to me forever,” Zane said. “They’re good people.” He glanced at Ben, then Bodhi, and slowly shifted his gaze back to Derek. “Well, you’re with Talia now, which makes you one of us.”
“There’s just one more question.” Bodhi crossed his arms over his chest with a serious expression.
“It’s an important one.” Zane mimicked Bodhi’s posture.
“Vital,” Ben said as he reached into a cabinet. “Whiskey or tequila?”
They all laughed, though Derek’s was short-lived.
“I’m not much of a drinker,” he admitted as Dan joined them in the kitchen. “Alcohol is one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s. I figure I’ve got enough going against me. I don’t need to add anything more.”
“Aw, man.” Bodhi scrubbed a hand down his face. “I didn’t think about that. Sorry.”
“That’s smart, son,” Dan said. “Too many young people ignore risk factors and plow ahead like they’ll go on living forever in the same manner they always have. Talia told me about your father. I can only imagine how difficult that is, much less dealing with it without family around to help. If you need anything, get caught in a bind, need a shoulder to lean on, just let us know. There are plenty of people here who would happily help you out.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” And he did, even though he knew he’d probably never take them up on it. The thought of his father getting confused and having a hard time without him or Maria there to help was overwhelming. He told them about Maria and how she’d been there to help their family with his mother and every step of the way with his father.
“Please extend the same offer to Maria,” Dan said. “We all need a hand every now and again.” He looked at Zane and said, “And you can never have enough family.”
“Boy, that’s the truth. Talia mentioned that you were thinking about opening an adult day-care center,” Ben said. “I’d love to hear about it.”
While they finished the dishes and cleaned the kitchen and dining room, Derek told them about his project and his plans to renovate his house to be used as the day-care center. He felt good about sharing all that he had with them. They seemed like good men. Their bond was clear and present, and they weren’t afraid to talk about their emotions, which he’d found a rare trait among most men his age. He glanced into the other room. Louie sat on the floor in the living room playing with army figurines, and for the briefest of seconds, Derek allowed himself to wonder what it would be like to have a little boy or girl of his own. His gaze found Talia, sitting on the couch between her mother and Bridgette with a magazine on her lap, and that image in his mind wrapped itself around her. He was falling hard for Talia. Did she want children? Was it fair to get so involved when there was a chance his children—and he—might end up with the same fate as his father?
“Derek,” Ben said, pulling him from his thoughts. “I’d love to catch up sometime to talk more about your business venture.”
“I would as well,” Dan said. “We can probably cut your renovation costs by a nice chunk if we do the work.”
“I don’t want to take advantage of my relationship with Talia in that way,” Derek said uneasily.
Dan looked him in the eyes and said, “Put that pride away, son. This is what the Daltons do. We help one another. Let’s talk, see if we can help make your vision become a reality without breaking the bank. You want to do something for others, and”—he glanced at Talia, a smile crawling across his lips—“you’ve already done something for us.”
“It’s better than porn,” Bridgette said. The women crowded together on the couch, looking past the clean dining room to the sparkling kitchen, where the men stood by the counter, dishes drying behind them. “Alisha, you sure raised your son right.”
Alisha gazed thoughtfully at her son. “I swear Bodhi practically raised himself. But I’d say your mother did a fine job with Ben and Zane, too.”
Zane had gotten unlucky in the parent department. He had practically lived at the Daltons’ house from the time he was around Louie’s age. Talia looked at Louie playing with his toys and felt a pang of longing that she’d been noticing more often since Willow and Bridgette had found their true loves.
“Talia, your new beau is quite the charmer,” her mother said. “It takes a real man to pull off that length hair and jewelry.”
“He’s totally not Talia’s type,” Piper said.
Talia glared at her. Piper didn’t know the half of it. If she knew Derek danced, she’d give Talia even more shit, and Talia had no interest in dealing with that. Life was too good right now to have to explain herself or justify Derek’s job to anyone.
“I don’t mean it like that,” Piper clarified. “Once he opened his mouth, it was easy to see why you two are so connected. He’s a smarty-pants and a careful thinker like you, and the way he looks at you is like you’re made of everything he’s ever wanted. But when I first saw him? You can’t deny that he’s everything you’ve never wanted in the looks department. Long hair? Bedroom eyes? A pinkie ring and bracelets? The man looks like he should be lying on the beach wearing nothing but sunshine.”
“Piper!” her mother said sharply.
“Oh, please,” Piper said. “Like you can’t see that?”
Talia licked her lips, imagining Derek naked. And then she realized Piper was probably doing the same thing. She turned a threatening stare on her. “Don’t go there, Pipe. Not even mentally.”
Piper laughed. “I’m not. It was just an observation. I mean, he’s gorgeous, but he’s yours, which puts him firmly in the no-strike zone.” She mimed a box and put a big X through it. “I’m happy for you, Tal.”
“Me too,” Talia admitted. “And for the record, I love his hair and his jewelry. He lost his mom when he was fourteen, and the ring was hers. The bracelets are his father’s.” She’d already filled them in on his father’s illness and what Derek’s life was like.
Her mother placed her hand over Talia’s. “Look at him in there with the guys.”
They all looked toward the kitchen again. Talia’s father had an arm slung over Derek’s shoulder.
“He must be a good man to have won you over, baby girl,” her mother said. “But to have won over your father? And Ben, who has looked out for you forever? That says it all.”
“Okay, enough emotional talk,” Piper chimed in. “Let’s get this show on the road. Between wedding plans and Talia’s new love life, I’m about ready to puke, which doesn’t bode well for heading down to Dutch’s Pub later and scoping out the unemotional men.”
“You’re so gross,” Talia said.
“Says the girl who picked up a man in a parking lot. Hey, boys,” Piper hollered. “Let’s eat cake and give Mom her presents!”
Louie jumped to his feet. “Cake!”
Everyone gathered in the dining room again to sing “Happy Birthday” to Roxie. She blew out the candles, and Willow doled out slices of the scrumptious-looking chocolate cake. Talia discovered that eating cake with Derek was another thing that got her hot and bothered. While everyone chatted around them, she and Derek shared their dessert, feeding each other forkfuls of deliciousness. His mm sounds and the lustful look in his eyes every time he slid the fork into her mouth sent her mind reeling back to last night and the sexy loving they’d shared.
He leaned in, stealing kisses between bites, one hand resting on her thigh, blazing heat through her jeans. She was sure everyone could feel their passion igniting, but as she stole a glance around the table, she realized they were all too swept up in their own conversations to notice. Except Piper, who never missed a damn thing and was giving her an I-always-knew-you-weren’t-Little-Miss-Pure look.
Oh boy.
That look should stop Talia cold, but when she gazed into Derek’s eyes, she was a goner again.
By the time they finished dessert, her insides were buzzing. She wanted to drag Derek out the front door and make a beeline for her bedroom.
“Presents!” Bridgette said, starting to move toward the living room.
Derek touched Talia’s hand and said, “Help me carry these into the kitchen.” He handed her a plate and gathered the other dishes.
The second they were in the kitchen, he set the dishes on the counter and swept her into his arms, bringing them out of view of the living room. His mouth covered hers, sweet, hot, and insistent. Heat streaked through her, pooling deliciously in her very best spot in between.
“Your family adores you,” he said in a rush. “And I adore them.” His hands cruised down her body, holding her against him. “But damn, baby. There could be a million people here and you would be the only one I see. Your beautiful face, your happiness when you talk with your family, the way you look at Louie like you want a little boy of your own . . . I see all of you, Tallie girl.”
She couldn’t believe he’d seen so much, even her thoughts about Louie. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.
Louie peeked into the kitchen and said, “Auntie Piper said stop kissing so Grandma can open her presents!” He dashed toward the living room, yelling, “They weren’t kissing, but he touched her butt!”
“Oh my God.” Talia buried her face in Derek’s chest.
He pressed his hands to her cheeks, tilting her face up, and kissed her again, grinning so wide he made her smile, too. “I’ve got this,” he said, and tucked her against his side. They went into the living room, and he said, “You’re right, Louie. I did touch Aunt Talia’s butt. Do you know why?”
Louie shook his head. “I think it’s what boys do when they grow up, because Bodhi’s always touching Mom’s butt, and Zane smacks Auntie Willow’s. I even saw Grandpa touch Grandma’s butt the other day, but Mom said I’m not supposed to talk about it.” His hand flew over his mouth, eyes wide.
Everyone laughed.
Derek motioned for Louie to come closer. “A little bird told me that you like baseball cards.”
Louie nodded vehemently, eyes wide.
Derek held out his hand, revealing a package of baseball cards, which he must have had hidden in his pocket. He lowered his voice and said, “Your auntie had these in her back pocket. I was just sneaking them out.”
Talia’s heart soared at his thoughtfulness and his clever save.
Louie gasped, snagging the package from Derek’s hand. “Thank you!” He threw his arms around Derek’s legs, hugging him tight.
Derek tousled his hair, and Talia melted a little more.
“Boy, he’s good,” Bridgette said softly.
Louie climbed onto Bodhi’s lap, and Bodhi gave Derek one of those guy looks that told Talia Derek had already come into the fold of their brotherhood, which flooded her with happiness.
After that they moved to the living room again, and her mother opened her gifts. Talia sat beside Derek on the floor near Ben as her mother gushed over a clay pencil holder that Louie had made and painted for her and a pair of pearl earrings from Talia’s father. She was overwhelmed at the romantic weekend getaway Talia and her siblings had given her and was excited to take advantage of the gift Alisha had given her, a day at a holistic spa.
Derek handed her mother the gift bag he’d brought. “Happy birthday, Roxie. Thank you for letting me share it with you and your family.”
“Suck-up,” Ben said with a feigned cough, which made everyone laugh.
Derek took his teasing in stride.
Her mother unwrapped the gift slowly, between peeks at Derek and Talia. “Oh, Derek,” she said softly, and pressed a hand over her heart. She looked at Talia. “You told him about this?”
“What? I haven’t seen it.” Talia went up on her knees, trying to see the gift he’d kept secret.
Her mother turned the framed picture around. It was one of Derek’s cartoons. He’d drawn their family huddled beneath a tarp, each of them wearing expressions of discomfort or frustration as oversized raindrops splashed in puddles all around them. The tarp was propped up with long tree branches, complete with leaves sticking out like waving hands in the wind. One side of the tarp was higher than the other, causing a stream of water to fall from the tarp and puddle on one side. Exaggerated rivers flowed from inside their tents. He’d drawn Piper and her father crouched by a small tepee of twigs and broken branches, their brows slanted in concentration as Piper rubbed two sticks together. Snakes of smoke danced from her efforts. Their mother was drawn sitting with her arms around Talia and her other sisters, amusement and love evident in her big, beautiful eyes. Talia had her nose in a book, Bridgette was leaning forward, doodling in the wet earth with a stick, and Willow was peering over Bridgette’s shoulder. Ben was sticking his head out from beneath the tarp, eyes closed, mouth open, drinking the rain. In a puddle at their father’s feet, Derek had drawn an oversized raindrop touching a puddle and creating an exaggerated splash of hearts arching out of the water, spelling the word family.
“Whoa, dude,” Ben said with awe. “Did you draw that?”
Derek humbly shrugged one shoulder, nodding. “I hope I didn’t overstep. Talia told me about the trip, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was hoping it was a fond memory and not a bad one.”
Her mother’s eyes dampened, and she reached for Talia’s father’s hand. “It’s one of our favorite vacation memories. Thank you, Derek.”
“That was Dad’s bonding weekend,” Piper explained. “Our punishment for having lives.”
“No electronics,” Talia explained. “I didn’t care, but you’d think he was sending the others to jail.”
Her father laughed. “It wasn’t a punishment. It was a reminder about family and the value of relationships beyond cell phones and the internet.”
“Well, we sure got close that weekend,” Piper said.
Bridgette looked at Willow and said, “Remember how loud you shrieked when the tent started leaking?”
“Yes! And Ben ran through the puddles, splashing all of us,” Willow said with a laugh.
“I remember chasing his butt around, trying to catch him.” Her father laughed. “And through the whole thing, Talia sat reading, happy as a lark.”
“It doesn’t take much to have a happy life, does it, Tallie girl?” Derek said sweetly, and all eyes turned on them.
“Tallie girl?” Willow and Piper said in unison.
Talia felt her cheeks burn.
Derek pulled her closer, those big blue eyes holding her gaze, and said, “My girl’s inner happiness can’t be dampened by a little rain.”
She didn’t care who teased her.
She was his Tallie girl, and she hoped she would be for a very, very long time.