Chapter 12
Gia’s heart was racing as they pulled up to the house. It was early because Gary needed to be at work by eight. Thankfully Roger had opted to drive his Jeep. The last thing Gia needed or wanted was Gary drooling over Roger’s Maserati.
No one needed to know how wealthy Roger was. Heck, she didn’t know herself. It would’ve been easy enough to find out if she wanted. If she could find information on people who were born more than a hundred years ago, surely Roger Patrick was less of a mystery. But she’d never googled his name. She wanted to get to know the real man, not the one the internet said he was. And really, she liked who he was. No doubt there was more to him, something in his past he either didn’t want to share or wasn’t ready to, but did that matter? She was looking in only one direction, the future. She just didn’t know if it would include Roger or not.
“Hope that coffee is for me,” Gary said as he walked outside.
Gia handed him the paper cup. “Of course. You remember Roger?”
Gary looked him over and nodded. “Yeah. Did Mom and Dad know he was coming?” Gia shook her head. “Hell, now I want to call out of work.”
Gia slapped his arm. “That’s not funny. I’m a grown woman who can bring home a gentlemen friend if I want.”
Gary laughed. “Phrase it any way you want. But since you’ve never brought one before, I think Roger is something special.”
She heard Roger chuckle from behind her but kept her focus on Gary. “Aren’t you going to be late?”
He nodded. “Don’t worry about telling me how it goes. I’m sure Mom will fill me in later.” Then Gary shook Roger’s hand and said, “You got your hands full with this one. She’s stubborn.”
And deadly when riled up.Once they were alone, she said, “You don’t have to come in if you don’t want to.” She had mixed feelings, so whatever he decided was okay with her. She was giving him an out, because Gary was nothing compared to what her mother was going to be like.
“I don’t know. These blueberry scones smell awfully good. I’m not sure I can resist.”
She chuckled and said, “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“I have a pretty good idea,” Roger replied as they walked up the front steps.
But why are you doing it? That’s what has me puzzled.He’d made it clear he liked his secluded beach house. He didn’t enjoy the city. And most of all, he liked being single. Roger didn’t seem to have a business partner.
Sure enough her mother was sitting at the kitchen table, holding a cup of tea. She didn’t look surprised to see Roger behind Gia, which meant she’d been watching them from the window.
“Good morning. So nice to see you again. Mr. Patrick, right?”
“Call me Roger, please.”
“Only if you call me Claudia.” Gia’s father slowly entered the room. He was looking tired, but that was expected. In a few weeks he could start cardiac rehab, but he’d never be the same. But in her eyes, he’d always be her strong Dad who could move mountains if she asked him to.
Claudia added, “This is my husband, Andrew. Andrew, this is Gia’s . . . friend, Roger.”
Roger walked over and shook his hand. “Nice to see you’re feeling better.”
“Don’t listen to these two. If they had their way, I’d be lying down all damn day and eating only vegetables.” Andrew sat beside Claudia and said, “And that better not be something healthy in that box you’re holding either.”
Roger placed the box on the table and said, “It does contain fruit, blended in a sweet biscuit.”
Andrew opened the box and pulled out the largest scones covered with the most sugared glaze. “Now if you’d brought me regular coffee instead of that decaffeinated crap Claudia made, I’d be in heaven.”
“Dad, we’re trying to make it so you don’t see heaven for many more years. No caffeine, no smoking and no—”
“Sex. Got it,” Andrew blurted.
Roger laughed, and Gia stood there, torn between shock and embarrassment. Clearing her throat she said, “I was going to say, alcohol.”
Andrew turned to Roger and said, “See, they want to keep me out of heaven, by making my life hell. Why don’t you pull up a seat and stay awhile. God knows I’m not going anywhere. Claudia said she misplaced the keys to my truck. I’m calling bullshit on that.”
Roger sat next to Gia’s father, and she watched as the two chatted up a storm. Gia thought for sure her parents were going to give him the third degree, but instead they talked more about Maplesville and growing up in a small, tight-knit town. Surprisingly, Roger shared stories about his childhood and the loss of his parents.
Claudia said, “It must’ve been very difficult growing up all alone.”