Page 103 of Body Check

Gavin did as instructed, then followed Violet, Dakota, and Daisy into the living room.

A pretty artificial tree glowed with bright lights, a gas fire roared in the fireplace, and Christmas music played in the background. The room was homey looking with lovingly collected décor, plus a playpen in one corner, toys strewn on the floor and rumpled throw pillows scatted across the couch. Everything looked beautiful, lived in, and comfortable.

It made a little of the tension in Gavin’s shoulders ease, like this was the kind of place where he could let his guard down and relax.

Violet must have caught his glance because she gave him a rueful smile. “Excuse the mess.”

“Nothing to excuse,” Gavin assured her. “You have a beautiful place and, from what I understand, kids and messes seem to go together.”

“Are you interested in having children someday?” she asked.

Dakota groaned and dropped onto the sofa. “Jesus, Vi, give the man a chance to sit down before you start interrogating him.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Gavin assured her, though he did take a seat next to Dakota. “Uhh, honestly, I’m not sure if I do or not. My job, well, it makes it difficult.”

“I would imagine.” Violet took a seat in a chair nearby, curling her long legs up under her.

He’d never noticed how much she and Dakota looked alike.

“My ex-husband wasn’t interested in kids, so …”

“But you’d be open to the idea if your partner wanted them?”

Dakota covered his face with his hands. “This was a bad idea. I regret everything.”

Gavin laughed, resting his hand on Dakota’s thigh. “I don’t mind, I swear.”

Dakota squinted at him through the gap between his fingers. “What ifIdo?”

“Oh, cut it out,” Violet said with a laugh. “You act like I’m applying thumb screws or something.”

“You would if you had them available,” Dakota said darkly. But he did drop his hands, threading the fingers of one through Gavin’s and squeezing tight.

“He’s so melodramatic, isn’t he?” Violet whispered.

Gavin laughed, knowing he was going to enjoy the next few days with Dakota’s family.

Violet’s husband Jeff arrived home a short while later, and he greeted Gavin warmly with a handshake and a back-slapping hug. “Thanks for joining us! It’s so great to have you here.”

“Thanks for having me,” Gavin said sincerely.

Jeff grinned. “Honestly, the more the merrier.”

His voice was filled with sincerity and Gavin was touched.

Dinner was a casual affair of root vegetable soup, hearty bread, and a salad. Violet must have seen the look on Gavin’s face when he was offered the salad, because she smiled at him. “Not a fan of leafy greens?”

“Well,” he said, trying to figure out how to word it politely. “A salad gave me food poisoning once. And at averyinopportune time. I still hold a grudge against raw vegetables.”

“Oh dear.” Violet smiled at him. “That sounds unpleasant. I won’t be offended if you skip it, I promise.”

“No,” Gavin said with a sigh as he put a small portion of greens on his plate. “I am under orders to, and I quote, ‘diversify my diet’.”

“Ahh. After your health scare?” Jeff asked.

“Yes,” Gavin agreed. Dakota had told him he’d mentioned their trip to the hospital to his family, so Gavin wasn’t surprised by the question. “Along with changing my diet, I’m making some changes to my work life. This isn’t public knowledge yet, butI’ll also be stepping down as president of ops as soon as a replacement is found. Not ideal, mid-season, but …”

“Important though,” Jeff said thoughtfully. “Stress can be a killer.”

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