Page 36 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

Chapter Eighteen

Archer

T he weekend flew by in a haze of snuggling, movie marathons, and sexy times.

We had sex a couple of times, spread out, but hand and blow jobs became our thing.

I was pleased with how often I could get Gideon revved up.

And I suspected he was pleased as well. The tender moments, though, struck a chord with me.

The poignancy of his pain gnawed at me, and I swore I’d see if I could make some headway with the case this week.

While Jean-Michel was bright and fresh Monday morning, ready to tackle the week, I just wanted to go back to Mission City and Gideon’s bed. Still, I had a practice to maintain. A practice I was slowly easing back from.

Dr. Yeardley’s stern warning still resonated.

Not just about the red meat and adding fresh fruits and vegetables.

I’d been stressed. No two ways about it—the work was getting to me.

I didn’t have the fight in me anymore. I didn’t have the clawing need to be the best. The richest. The most famous.

Instead, I eyed new clients differently.

I looked for those who needed my talents, rather than those who could bring in the most dollars.

By the end of the week, my roster looked different. I’d found new homes for some of the complex cases of high-end clients—found lawyers perfectly happy to take on the pressure of big-dollar settlements. As I headed to Mission City, a sense of peace enveloped me.

By the time Monday came around, I was well-rested and well-sated.

Thus began a pattern. I’d drive out Friday afternoon to meet with Riley.

Then I’d take Gideon to meet with Kennedy and I’d hang out with Rainbow and Tiffany, enjoying some kind of baked goods.

Gideon and I would hang around his house for most of the weekend.

We dined at Fifties several times. Once I’d even ventured to try a healthy plant-based burger.

Definitely didn’t taste the same.

Another night, we’d shared a large pizza covered in vegetables, skinned chicken, and extra cheese.

And each Monday morning I headed back to Vancouver with a knot in my stomach. I didn’t want to go. The more time I spent in the small town—with my amazing man—the more I realized I didn’t want to go on as I had. I had some big decisions to make, and the time to make them was coming up soon.

After a particularly arduous day in court, I returned to the office to find a message from my new interior designer. I returned the call. “Orlando? It’s Archer.”

“Hello, stranger.”

My architect, Septimus Knight, had done a brilliant job on the design of the house on the mountains. Now his interior-designer partner, and husband, was getting in touch with me. His voice soothed me. “What’s up?”

“Riley called and gave me the all-clear. She said they’re finishing up the last little things, but that I can start moving in furniture this week. You’re still planning for a Christmas shindig, right?”

Was I? Or had that been his decision? A big, splashy open house to show off my new digs.

Now I hesitated. Would Gideon come? Were we ready to come out as a couple?

My family would love the man, of course, but would my lover be comfortable with the rowdy Chamberlain clan?

After having spent the better part of a year alone, how would he cope with being dropped into the middle of organized chaos?

“Are you there?”

“Of course.” Shake it off. “Yes, please begin moving things in. I, uh…” Hm, how to say this? “I don’t think I planned enough around the number of nieces and nephews I have. I was going to have a room with a pool table downstairs.”

“I remember.”

“Well, can we make that into a playroom instead? If you’re willing, I’ll loop Cherish into this conversation. She knows kids. She knows all the kids.”

“I would love to speak to your sister. Oh, and I wanted to let you know I’ve obtained several original Tessa Carlysle paintings. She’s well-known in this area, and I think these paintings will be stunning.”

“All tasteful, I presume.”

“But of course.” The man tisked. “Would I do anything gauche?”

“Of course not.” Should I be more involved? I planned to leave everything up to Orlando and just enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor. “Oh, and make certain the master bed isn’t too high off the ground. ”

A pause. “Something you’re not telling me?”

“Just that I want it to be easy to get in and out of. Nothing that needs to be climbed up onto.”

“Okay. Any other accommodations?”

I reviewed everything in my mind. “A recliner or two that tilt up in the television room. Dad’s getting older.” And it would help Gideon if he was having a bad day.

“All the recliners in the movie room are automatic. But I can swap out a couple for the tilting kind. Anything else?”

“Not off the top of my head, but let me think on it. Are you going to have enough time?”

“Darling, I’ve been planning this for months. Riley’s kept me in the loop. I’ll head out tomorrow to receive the deliveries.”

Darling? I sighed, then checked the calendar. December thirteenth. I was cutting it pretty close. “And you’ll add Christmas decorations?”

“But of course. You’ll have the most fabulous house in all of Mission City. Still not sure why you didn’t pick Whistler.” He laughed. “I mean, I adore this small town and wouldn’t leave for anything…but we’re not exactly high-end.”

Which made me consider the choices I’d made for decorations if he thought I was more show than substance. I sighed. “Because I’m not a skier. And I wanted privacy. No tourists up my way.”

“Fair enough. I’ll be in touch.”

With what I assumed was a flourish, he hung up. I smiled to myself. And made a note to speak to Gideon when I went up next.

Friday arrived in no time. Traffic was heavier, and I barely had time to greet Gideon and Lucky as they hopped into the SUV.

“I’m sorry. Traffic was heavy on the Number Seven.”

“I should really be responsible for getting myself to my own appointments. It’s silly for you to have to rush out. ”

I took a moment to lean over and press a kiss to his cheek.

“It’s my pleasure. Literally. It gets me out of the office on time, and I get to spend time with the lovely Rainbow.

I can’t think of a better way to spend my Friday nights.

” And Gideon was making real improvements because of the therapy.

Even in this short time, I could spot the changes. I was so proud of my boyfriend.

We’d settled on boyfriends to describe our relationship.

Part of that seemed juvenile, but we both agreed the relationship required some kind of label.

Two divorced bros hanging out didn’t cut it.

Neither did two guys who spent their entire weekends in the sack.

No, our relationship involved genuine feelings—genuine affection. That deserved a proper label.

On the return trip, Gideon was all smiles.

“What’s up?”

“I spoke to the kids today.”

“Was this planned? I thought you saw them last week.”

“I did. But Leo contacted me and said I could see them again. They sang a carol for me. Badly, but still…” He wiped his forehead. “I didn’t cry. I was so proud of myself. Of course, when the call was over, I bawled. Leo seemed…more involved. I don’t know how to explain it.”

My gut clenched. “Do you think he might take you back?”

Gideon barked out a laugh. “Oh, hell no. I just wonder if maybe Kennedy has reported something to someone, and it’s gotten back to Leo.”

“Did you ask her?”

He shook his head. “If she is, and it’s working, I don’t want it to stop. And if she’s not, and this is just Leo getting into the holiday spirit, I’m okay with that as well. I’ll take whatever he gives me. I’m like a dog begging for scraps. ”

I thwacked him on the shoulder. “That’s bullshit. You’re their father. You have every right to want to spend time with them. I’m glad Leo is being more reasonable.”

“But it might just be this one time.”

“Or it might not. Did you let him know how much it meant to you?”

“I did. I sent him an email thanking him. I don’t know if that will mean anything to him or not.

” Gideon rubbed his forehead again. “He’s not an evil man.

I need you to know that. He’s just, you know, protective of our children.

I can’t say I wouldn’t be doing the same thing, were our positions reversed. ”

“You wouldn’t.” Of this, I was certain. “If he did rehab and stayed clean, you’d be more forgiving.

You’d give him a second chance.” And I viewed Leo’s refusal to do that as the man’s loss.

Or maybe he’d met someone else. That was always possible.

“Let’s celebrate. I didn’t call ahead, but we should be able to get a table at Stavros’s. We can drop Lucky off at the house.”

“Maybe tomorrow night?”

I hadn’t picked up on the weariness, but I could hear it now. “Sure. Do you have the strength to visit my place?”

“Your house?”

“Yes. My interior designer has been organizing and receiving deliveries all week. I’m eager to see the place.”

“Yeah, we can do that. We should take Lucky home first.”

“Why?” I was baffled.

“Because you’ll have nice stuff. I don’t want him to track mud through the house.”

Ah, fair enough. “Look, Gideon, I’ve taken your advice and made the place more welcoming to the family. I’ve even invited them for Christmas. That’s fourteen adults, seven children under the age of twelve and, at best guess, at least two dogs. I’ve insisted they leave the cats at home.”

He rubbed his forehead. “That’s a lot of people.”

“They’re going to love you.”

He sputtered. “You want me there? In a family gathering?”

“Of course.” I chanced a glance as I turned onto our street. His complexion was wan in the pink neon streetlamp. “Maybe we should skip the visit to my house. It’s probably too much.”

“No, you’re dying to see it, and obviously I’m curious as well. So, let’s do this.” He rubbed his forehead again. “As for Christmas, let’s play it by ear…?”

“Sure. No worries.” I squeezed his thigh and drove us into the night.

I parked in my driveway, secured Lucky to his leash, and then led Gideon inside. I hadn’t had time to see it earlier, so this was a first for me as well.

The tour through the house was fantastic.

Orlando had outdone himself.

Instead of the modern, sophisticated palette I’d expected, the house was warmer.

Less chrome and leather, more fabrics and glass.

Gideon pointed out dozens of places where spills might take place, and I smiled and assured him we had cleaning supplies.

And we did. The house was full of everything I could possibly want.

The food would arrive on the twenty-third, and on the twenty-fourth, the caterers were bringing everything for the Christmas party. Good thing I had an extra fridge.

Gideon fussed over the cost of everything.

I was charmed. I spent a great deal of time pointing out the solar panels, the geothermal heating, and all the energy-saving devices. A true smart home. One I planned to spend a great deal of time in .

My companion didn’t know that. I had yet to share my long-term goals. I didn’t want to spook him. Didn’t want to put pressure on him. I was only beginning to understand my feelings for him.

As I cuddled him that night, my conversation with Justin and Rainbow played in my mind. Did I need to speak to someone? Professionally? About my cheating spouse and her betrayal of our marriage? Of my health scare and how I hadn’t taken warning signs seriously?

I didn’t have answers to those questions—which was the crux of the problem.

Until I sorted my shit, I didn’t need to share with Gideon.

I also wasn’t going to tell him I’d begun to make preliminary inquiries into his case.

I’d had him sign an authorization, but had made it clear I might only have limited success—if any at all. I didn’t want to give him false hope.

But that wouldn’t stop me from doing my best.