Page 59 of Reluctant Rogue

“Let me carry these for you, or you’ll wind up spilling your cocoa.”

“Good idea, thanks.” She beamed at him, and together they made their way upstairs. She paused at her bedroom door, taking the plate from him after she’d unlocked it. “It was a lovely evening, thank you so much, Liam.”

He leaned in to brush his lips softly across her cheek. “It was my pleasure. Enjoy your book, Naomi.”

He turned away, not waiting for a response, and went down the hall to his room. She was glad he hadn’t seen the blush that crept into her cheeks with that light kiss. Sighing softly, she closed her bedroom door and locked it. If only…

Chapter17

Naomi giggledas they circled the block looking for a parking space. “We could go back to that supermarket a mile back and park there, then Uber over.”

“We may have to,” Liam grumbled good-naturedly.

“Oh, there we go,” she pointed, bouncing in her seat with excitement. “Grab it, quick!”

Liam backed in to the vacant spot easily, and they got out, gathering up the pie, dinner rolls, and a bag containing a pound of Kerrygold butter, a can of whipped cream and a gallon of vanilla ice cream, for the block-and-a-half walk to Max’s home.

They were greeted with enthusiasm by Max, who relieved them of their offerings and led them to the kitchen.

“Lenore! Our guests are here,” he told her, sliding his arm around his wife’s waist. She turned from the stove where she’d been stirring something, wiping her hands on her apron. She was a more feminine version of her husband, almost the same height and coloring, her black hair streaked with silver pulled back into intricate braids. The friendly light in her eyes and her bright smile of greeting were as cheery as her husband’s.

“Welcome! You must be Naomi. Max has been telling me all about you. And is this your young man?”

“Yes,” Naomi blushed a little, slipping her hand into Liam’s. “This is Liam.”

Lenore spread her white-dusted hands expressively. “I’d offer to shake hands, but I’m a little flour-y right now.”

“Come on into the family room,” Max urged, “and I’ll introduce you to the rest of the family.”

“We had to use the living room for dinner,” Lenore explained. “When we put in all the leaves in the table to make room for everyone, it doesn’t fit in the dining room. So we use the family room to hang out until dinner.”

“That sounds like it works perfectly.” Naomi turned, following Max into the living room, dominated by a long dark wood table, long enough to seat probably twenty people, with the matching wooden chairs supplemented with folding chairs and three high chairs, with two of the wooden chairs holding booster seats. The table was already set with plates and silverware and serving dishes, and a lovely floral centerpiece with candles.

“Oh, this is lovely!” Naomi exclaimed, pausing to admire the effect.

Max’s chest expanded in clear pride. “We don’t get a chance to all get together often, so we go all out for the family holidays.”

Naomi looked wistful. “I never had a Thanksgiving dinner before.”

Max turned to stare at her in shock. “Never?”

She couldn’t stop the flush that crept into her cheeks. “No. My family was… well, it was messed up. We never did anything like this.”

Max looked at her for another long moment, then smiled widely, gesturing them to follow. “Then you’ve picked the right place for your first Thanksgiving dinner, young lady.”

He led them into a large room crowded with adults seated on sofas and chairs clustered around a huge flat-screen television. In front of the sofas, what seemed like a whole flock of children seated on the floor, their eyes glued to the screen, where a replay of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was showing.

Max waved his hand. “Everyone! This is Naomi and Liam.”

Various versions of “Hello!” and “Welcome” chorused from those in the room.

“Eggnog with Kahlúa,or a mimosa?” A tall, slender black man asked, standing beside a side table filled with decanters, pitchers and glasses.

“Um… eggnog?”

“Mimosa for me,” Liam decided.

“This is my son, Charlie, in charge of the drinks over there, and his wife, Angela,” Max gestured as he made introductions. “My oldest daughter, Crystal, and her husband Dell, and our youngest, Maxine, and her husband Steve.”