Page 4 of Kiss Across the Universe
Reluctantly, Kit wound down his window. “I didn’t realize you were doing Thanksgiving. Americans, and all. I have some salmon for Taylor.”
“We’re Canadian residents, now. It only seems right to switch the dates around.” Veris leaned a hand on the dark green hood of the truck, leaning casually so he was bent enough to see Kit through the window, for Kit’s truck wasn’t a jacked-up monster. “Aren’t you celebrating? Thanksgiving has First Nations roots.”
“My family generally gather on Monday,” Kit said. “But I’m working tomorrow. This weekend is prime silly season.”
Veris grinned, his very blue eyes dancing. “I presume that means prime tourist season and won’t ask what the silliness might be. I can guess well enough.” He paused. “We’ll have nearly thirty about the table, Kit. One more is nothing. If you’re not doing Thanksgiving with your family, join mine.”
“Thirty?” Kit was startled. “Where are all the cars?”
“Nearly half of the thirty are kids,” Veris said. “And everyone got here via the airport. We picked them up. Americans, and all.” His smile increased.
“Right,” Kit said, feeling stupid. “Thanks for the invitation, but I really can’t elbow in—”
Veris shook his head and reached for the door handle. “You brought food to share. What could be more traditional? Come on. It’s time you met the extended family.”
Kit tried to protest, but Veris didn’t listen. The door was opened for him, and Veris almost, but didn’t quite reach for Kit’s arm to pull him from the seat. While Kit climbed to the ground, Veris moved to the back of the truck to check the salmon and praise its size and color.
In gentle steps, none of them forceful, Veris got Kit over to the verandah and opened the door. “Taylor will want to thank you for the salmon at the very least,” Veris added.
Then the cooking smells reached Kit in a warm wafting breeze through the open door. Turkey, pies or some sort of fruit pastry, bubbling and sweet, potatoesandyams, and a rich stuffing smelling strongly of sage.
Kit found himself walking through the door without further encouragement, sniffing. It had been a very long time since he’d eaten a home-made turkey dinner and his mouth watered at the same time his belly rumbled emptily.
Veris laughed. “Your stomach is telling me you’re staying.”
Kit grimaced. “Man, I just don’t want to intrude. I’m not family—”
But Veris was shaking his head again. “Thing is, only the kids are related by blood in this house. Everyone else is found family. We tend to stick to those people we like.” His gaze met Kit’s and remained steady.
“I see.” Kit managed to not cut his gaze away from Veris’—a challenge because Veris was a physically intimidating man. That was on top of keeping Kit mentally on his toes at all times. The man was a professor of medicine and an MD, among a couple other degrees that he’d referred to over the four years Kit had got to know Veris, Brody, Taylor and their kids. Veris’ mind was sharp and always flexing.
Somewhere in the back of Kit’s brain, pleasure stirred.Found family….
Taylor, Veris’ wife, moved through the front room of the house, pulling a long cardigan in around her in reaction to the open front door. “Kit! You’re staying for dinner, of course.” It wasn’t a question.
Kit laughed. So did Veris.
“Yes, he’s staying now,” Veris added.
Which was true. Kit gave up any idea of protesting or apologizing. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I brought you another salmon.”
Taylor looked pleased. “Fresh salmon! How wonderful. I never really got to appreciate good salmon until we moved here. The ones you pull out of the river are delicious in a way the store bought fish just can’t seem to pull off.” She put her hand under Kit’s arm, drawing him further into the room.
Veris shut the door behind him.
Kit had been in this front room many times in the past, but today it didn’t look the way it normally did.
Two of the armchairs had been pulled together so they were facing each other. In them were two teenage girls, both very pretty, with the promise of heart-stopping beauty only a few years into their futures. One had very large dark eyes and coffee-colored skin. The other had alabaster white skin and very blue eyes. They both had computers on their knees and were typing furiously on the keyboards, only occasionally looking up at each other.
“The dark haired one is Liberty,” Taylor said. “The other isAimée. They’re both computer nerds.”
“Historians,” both girls said together, without looking up from their screens.
“Hello,”Aiméeadded, still not looking around.
“Umm…hello,” Kit said.
The other girl, Liberty, glanced at him, then looked again. “You’re the park ranger, aren’t you?”
