Her mother blushed fiery red. “Oh, nonsense,” she said, momentarily too flustered to even respond. “And please do call me Brenda. You’re family after all, and Mrs. Hawthorn sounds far too stuffy.”
“My pleasure, Brenda.” Then he turned and extended his hand to Evangeline’s father. “I’m honored to meet you, sir. I’ve heard so much about the both of you that I feel like I already know you.”
“Grant,” her father said in his gruff voice. “And I’m pleased to meet you as well, Drake. I’m very grateful to you for looking out for my little girl. Her mother and I have stayed awake countless nights worrying over her living so far away and in such a big city. She’s a small-town girl at heart and she’s too trusting and softhearted for her own good.”
“On that we agree,” Drake said. “But it’s those qualities that make her so special and I wouldn’t change a single thing about her.”
“He’ll do, Brenda,” her father said with an approving nod. “I’d say our girl is in very good hands.”
“Come. The van is parked just over here. Let’s get you folks out of the weather. We’ll get you checked into your hotel and let you settle in and rest, and then Evangeline and I will come get you for dinner.”
They hurried to the wheelchair-accessible van that Drake had rented for her parents’ use while in the city, complete with hired driver and assistant to help with the wheelchair. Drake ushered the women into the van while the attendants got her father in, and then they piled the luggage into the back with the chair. Drake climbed in next to Evangeline and they headed to Times Square, where Drake had reserved a suite at the Marriott.
“Everything is so big here, Evangeline,” her mother exclaimed. “And my word, all the lights. Everyone is in a hurry and busy, busy, busy.”
Evangeline smiled. “Wait until you see Times Square, Mama. It’s insane there.”
Her parents oohed and ahhed the entire way to the hotel, but when her mother got her first glimpse of Times Square, her mouth fell open.
“Well, my word! How does anyone sleep at night with so much racket going on?”
Drake chuckled. “The rooms are equipped with room-darkening blinds so the lights won’t keep you awake. If you need anything at all during your stay, just contact the concierge and they’ll provide whatever you need. Evangeline supplied you with both our cell numbers. Don’t hesitate to call me for anything at all, day or night.”
“You’re a fine young man, Drake,” her mother said, giving him an affectionate pat on the arm. “Your parents must be so proud.”
Drake stiffened slightly and his eyes grew cold for a fleeting instant. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I lost my parents a long time ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” her mother fretted. “My apologies for bringing it up like that.”
“No offense whatsoever taken, Brenda,” Drake said, warmth returning to his voice. “It was a long time ago. I was only a child. I barely remember them.”
But Evangeline knew that was a lie. Whatever memories he did have weren’t good ones. In the beginning her relationship with her parents had baffled Drake. Initially he’d been angry over what he perceived as them taking advantage of her because she worked tirelessly to provide for them. It was only later that he’d begun to understand the depths of her devotion to them. And theirs to her.
It was obvious that he’d never had that kind of relationship with the people who’d given him life, and her heart ached for that young boy forced to make his own way in the world. Just as the rest of Drake’s men had done. It was the one thing that they all had in common and that tied them together. Troubled, difficult pasts with only themselves to rely on and no one else.
“So what are we doing for Thanksgiving, Evangeline?” her mother asked when they stepped out of the van in front of the hotel.
Evangeline smiled. “I’m cooking for all of us at Drake’s apartment. I’d love for you to help me so we can have a big feast like old times.”
“Oh, that does sound lovely, darling. Of course I’ll help. I’d love to. It will be so much fun for us both to be in the kitchen again. She’s such a wonderful cook, Drake, don’t you agree?”
“That I do, ma’am,” he said. “She spoils me with regular home-cooked meals. If I’m not careful, I’ll have to buy an entire new wardrobe.”
Evangeline snorted. As if. The man was built like a brick house. He didn’t have a single inch of spare flesh anywhere on his body. And she ought to know, considering how well acquainted with his body she was.
After getting her parents checked in and all the luggage brought up to the room, Evangeline hugged her parents after urging them to rest before dinner, and then after setting a time to meet, she and Drake took their leave.