“Letustell the world about you. About the wonderful addition you are to our family. The public knows that these guys lost their father,” she said, waving a hand over the group. “They know they lost their grandfather in the same accident, and that they tragically lost a brother not long ago too.”
This, of course, Burke remembered very clearly. The day he’d heard that Winston, the youngest one closest to his age, died of an overdose.
“What theydon’tknow,” Lorraine continued, “is that they’ve since gained something very precious. An unexpected piece of their father—inyou.It’s a gift.”
Burke tried to wrap his head around the comment. He’d felt more like a curse to the family, in truth. Had he not recently lost his mother, that very fear might have kept Burke from ever seeking a relationship with them.
“You’rea gift to us,” Lorraine said again. “I’d like to tell the world about you myself. I’ll clarify that your father was a mere signature away from divorce and that they later reconciled. No assumptions. No juicy gossip, at least nothing too scandalous sincewe’rethe ones sharing it. At that point, your concerns will be made moot.”
“How do you plan to do it?” Duke asked.
“A morning show,” Lorraine said. “ProbablyMornings in Mindwith Samantha Pingley. I was thinking it could be a Christmas special, since it centers around gifts and all.”
“But it’s only fall,” Zander pointed out. “Is he supposed to hide out until then?”
“I don’t mind,” Burke assured. “I just bought a big piece of property in Piney Falls. I’m heading there next to check it out.”
“You meanTinyFalls,” Duke said with a laugh.
James gave Duke a nudge. “We’re having Thanksgiving at the cabin anyway,” he said, turning to Burke. “You can join us there. It’s close to Piney Falls and it’s private too.”
“Precisely,” Lorraine said. “Besides, the Christmas season starts right after Thanksgiving; that’s not far from now.” Her face shifted then, her pleased expression drifting to something more…inquisitive.
“Now,” she said, a crease forming at her brow as she narrowed a look at Burke. “Is there anything we should know about you? Better we know now than to have the media dig it up and surprise us. A secret scandal back in Manhattan? A misdeed swept under the rug?”
“A woman scorned that might come after you or your money?” Betzy added.
“Psh, you meanmultiplewomen scorned,” Duke said. “Look at this stud—he’s a Benton. He’s been breaking hearts since he was twelve just like the rest of us, right man?”
Burke allowed for a grin. That was probably true forthem. In fact, theyhad each recently found their match, fallen in love, and made it official through vows. For Burke…dating, falling in love, breaking hearts, that whole field lost its luster once his own heart was broken at a young seventeen. And after experiencing so much loss following that time, Burke’s aversion to attachment had set in like stone.
He didn’t like to admit it, but he guessed that was another reason to start fresh—leave one end of the country for another. Perhaps here, his heart could heal enough to fall in love. Perhaps.
For now, Burke could answer Lorraine’s question with a clear conscience. “No,” he said, glancing from her to the others in the room. “No scandals or love interests to speak of.”
“Yet.” James shrugged. “He’s a Benton. It’s inevitable.”
“He’ll probably pick up a country girl in Piney,” Duke said. “One who’s got mad skills on the banjo.”
The table broke out in appreciative laughter, Burke’s included, though he knew they were wrong. He’d been through several of the neighboring towns and this one—Piney Falls—was the smallest one yet.
What kind of trouble, or woman for that matter, could he possibly find there?
Chapter 2
Justine pressed her thumb into the avocado in her grip. Firm with a hint of give beneath the pressure.Perfect.
She set it into her basket while humming to the Christmas carol playing throughout the store.And while she loved the song, Justine wasn’t personally dreaming of a white Christmas; she was dreaming, instead, of the magical Christmases in her small town of Piney Falls, California.
With the illuminated streetlamps draped with garlands and bows, the charming ice rink at Town Square, and the sheer excitement she saw in each child’s face. Of course, the town wasn’t lit up just yet—they had Thanksgiving to enjoy first.
Justine reached for the avocados once more, hoping to score another almost-ripe one, when a familiar voice sounded from behind.
“You going to snatch up some of that rhubarb next?”
Justine recognized Toby’s voice with ease. The grocer had worked at the Corner Market as far back as she could remember. “Gretchen made one heck of a rhubarb pie at the autumn festival. We always used to bid on them.”
Justine hid her chagrin. Yes, Grams was known for her baking skills throughout the entire town and beyond. Or at least, had been. Justine sighed, realizing it’d be her and Gramps’ second holiday season without the woman who’d raised her.
