driven to his parents’ home the afternoon before when he’d finished seeing his patients. It had been the first evening since their frozen yogurt date that they’d not seen each other.
She’d missed him too.
Which didn’t jibe well, but she didn’t have time to think too much on it, because a pretty woman who appeared to be much younger than McKenzie knew she had to be stepped into the foyer. She had sparkly blue eyes, dark brown hair that she had clipped up, black slacks and the prettiest Christmas sweater McKenzie had ever seen. Her smile lit up her entire face.
Lance looked a lot like his mother.
“We are so glad you’re here!” she exclaimed, her Southern drawl so pronounced it was almost like something off a television show. “Lance has been useless for the past hour, waiting on you to get here.”
“Thanks, Mom. You just called me useless to my girl.” Lance’s tone was teasing, his look toward his mother full of adoration.
McKenzie wanted to go on record that she wasn’t Lance’s girl, but technically she supposed she was. At least for the time being.
“Nonsense. She knows what I meant,” his mother dismissed his claim and pulled McKenzie into a tight hug. She smelled of cinnamon and cookies.
Christmas, McKenzie thought. His mother smelled of Christmas. Not McKenzie’s past Christmases, but the way Christmas was supposed to smell. Warm, inviting, full of goodness and happiness.
“It’s nice to meet you,” McKenzie said, not quite sure what to make of her hug. Lance’s mother’s hug had been real, warm, welcoming. She couldn’t recall the last time her own mother or father had given her such a hug. Had they ever?
“Not nearly as nice as it is to finally meet one of Lance’s girlfriends.”
Did he not usually bring his girlfriends home? He’d said her being there was no big deal. If he didn’t usually bring anyone home, then her presence was a big deal. She wanted to ask, but decided it wasn’t her place because really what did it matter? She was here now. Whatever he’d done with his past girlfriends didn’t apply to her, just as what he did with her wouldn’t apply to his future girlfriends.
Future girlfriends. Ugh. She didn’t like the thought of him with anyone but her. His smile, his touch, his kisses, they belonged to her. At least for now, she reminded herself.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Lance leaned in, kissed her briefly on the mouth, then took her hand. “I hope you came hungry.”
Her gaze cut to Lance’s and she wondered if he’d read her thoughts again?
“Take a deep breath. It’s time to meet the rest of the crew,” he warned.
“Be nice, Lance. You’ll scare her off. They aren’t that bad and you know it,” his mother scolded.
Lance just winked at her.
Two hours later, McKenzie had to agree with Lance’s mother. His family wasn’t that bad. She’d met his grandparents, who were so hard of hearing they had everyone talking loudly so they could keep up with the conversation, his aunts and uncles, his cousins, and a handful of children who belonged to his cousins.
It was quite a bunch: loud, talking over one another, laughing, eating and truly enjoying each other’s company.
The kids seemed to adore Lance. They called him Uncle Lance, although technically he was their second cousin.
“You’re quiet,” Lance observed, leaning in close so that his words were just for her ears.
“Just taking it all in,” she admitted.
“We’re something else, for sure. Is this similar to your family get-togethers?”
McKenzie laughed. “Not even close.”
“How so?”
“I won’t bore you with my childhood woes.”
“Nothing about you would bore me, McKenzie. I want to know more about you.”
She started to ask what would be the point, but somehow that comment felt wrong in this loving, warm environment, so she picked up her glass of tea, took a sip, then whispered, “I’ll tell you some other time.”
That seemed to appease him. They finished eating. Everyone, men and women, helped clear the table. The kids had eaten at a couple of card tables set up in the kitchen and they too cleared their spots without prompting. McKenzie was amazed at how they all seemed to work together so cohesively.
The men then retired to the large family room while the women put away leftovers and loaded the dishwasher. All except Lance. He seemed reluctant to leave McKenzie.
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure they won’t bite.”
He still looked hesitant.
“Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?”
What indeed? Lance wondered. He had rarely brought women home and never to a Christmas function. His entire family had been teasing him that this must be the one for him to bring her home to Christmas with the family. He’d tried to explain that he and McKenzie had been coworkers and friends for years, but the more he’d talked, the more he reminded them that he’d already met and lost “the one,” the more they’d smiled. By the time McKenzie arrived, he’d been half-afraid his family would have them walking down the aisle before morning.
He didn’t think she’d appreciate any implication that they were more than just a casual couple.
They weren’t. Just a hot and heavy two-month relationship destined to go nowhere because McKenzie didn’t do long-term commitment and his seventeen-year-old self had vowed to always love Shelby, for his heart to always be loyal to her memory.
What was the worst that could happen? He hesitated.
“Seriously, Lance. I’m a big girl. They aren’t going to scare me off.”
“I just…” He knew he was being ridiculous. “I don’t mind helping clean up.”
“Lance Donovan Spencer, go visit with your grandparents. You’ve not seen them since Thanksgiving,” his mother ordered. “That will give me and your girl time to get to know each other without you looming over us.”
“Looming?” he protested indignantly.
“Go.” His mother pointed toward the door.
Lance laughed. “I can tell my presence and help is not appreciated or wanted around here, so I will go visit with my grandmother who loves me very much.”
“Hmm, maybe she’s who you should list on your references,” McKenzie teased him, her eyes twinkling.
“Maybe. Mom’s
