Serendipity (Inevitable) (52 page)

“We’re definitely going to need a separate room just for your clothes and shoes.”

Julia was about to make a retort when the maître‘d approached their table, apologizing profusely for having let Cameron slip past him.

“I’m so sorry, madam, sir,” he told them earnestly. “I could sense that the lady was in something of a state, but I was busy helping other customers and she just walked in. Are you both all right? Can I offer you a glass of wine, perhaps, to calm the nerves?”

Julia shuddered. “Not wine, no.”

“I think maybe just some hot tea for the lady. And a brandy for me,” added Nathan. “And I apologize as well for the scene she caused. It was very unexpected.”

The maître‘d assured him it was no problem, and summoned a waiter to get their drinks.

“I didn’t think to ask. Did you want dessert?”

She shook her head at Nathan’s questions. “No. This pretty much ruined my appetite. And that’s a real shame because I saw chocolate cream pie on the menu.”

He grinned. “We’ll get two slices to go. Hopefully your appetite will return later tonight. Otherwise the pie will keep until tomorrow.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I knew there was a reason I loved you besides your hot body and your ability to give me multiple orgasms. Speaking of which – that particular appetite hasn’t been affected.”

He squeezed her hand. “Well, that’s a relief. Good to know a crazy ex-girlfriend doesn’t impair your libido.”

“Honey, I think you’d have to go bald, gain fifty pounds, and eat whole cloves of garlic in order to impair my libido,” she joked. “So let’s order that pie so you can start working on those three orgasms you promised me.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

October

Nathan had only been inside the McKinnon home in the Carmel Highlands for a few minutes, but still felt an instant connection to the place. The architect in him greatly admired the design of the spacious home and its abundance of natural light. Nearly every room had an ocean or cove view, and there was access to the wraparound deck from multiple locations.

And the homebody in him felt an immediate sense of peace and tranquility from the way the place had been decorated. It seemed that each piece of furniture, each sculpture or bowl or memento had been lovingly and carefully chosen. And of course, the house boasted some of Natalie Benoit’s finest works hanging on the walls.

Because work had been so crazy these past few months, and factoring in the month Julia’s parents had spent vacationing in South America, this weekend was the first time Nathan had met Robert McKinnon and his wife Natalie. He had been admittedly more than a little nervous to meet Julia’s parents, especially her father who Nathan had hero-worshipped since deciding to become an architect. He had been pleasantly surprised at how warm and welcoming both of them had been, and how they had made him feel instantly at home.

It was late Friday afternoon, and the four of them were sitting on the main deck at the back of the house which had a spectacular ocean view. The weather was perfect – sunny, a little warm, and very little breeze – the sort of ideal Indian summer day that Northern California often enjoyed at this time of year. Natalie had opened a bottle of crisp, chilled Chardonnay and set out little dishes of olives, ceviche, mango salsa, and goat cheese with assorted breads and crackers.

Upon their arrival less than an hour ago, Nathan and Julia had been enthusiastically greeted by her parents’ three Australian shepherds. Julia had called each of them by name – Gracie, Duncan and Mickey – and explained that the female was the mother to the two younger, friskier boys. All three dogs had followed Nathan in a pack, clearly enchanted by the newcomer and demanding his attention. They had finally mellowed out, retreating to their own corner of the deck, rousing now and then to bark at an errant seagull.

He was glad he’d followed Julia’s instructions to dress casually in jeans and a gray Armani T-shirt, for both of her parents were equally casual. Both wore jeans, Robert in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, while Natalie’s floaty tunic was half a dozen shades of blue and lavender. Both were barefoot. Julia, of course, wore her version of casual – a dainty white ruffled chemise top paired with a tiered floral print cotton skirt. To Nathan’s surprise, she actually kicked off her wedge sandals upon arrival and was now padding around barefoot like her parents.

It was clear that Julia and Lauren greatly resembled their mother, for Natalie had the same classically beautiful features and caramel colored hair. But the twins’ huge mossy green eyes had been inherited from their father – a handsome, dark-haired man with touches of gray at the temples.

The peaceful serenity was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Lauren. They could see her approach from the road below, and Nathan was not the least bit surprised to see her drive up in a four-wheel drive Jeep Wrangler. Given the tough-girl image she worked so hard to project, it was small wonder that she would be driving such a heavy duty vehicle. The dogs went nuts when they saw her, barking and running around excitedly before greeting her with enthusiastic licks. She dropped her backpack and an overstuffed canvas tote bag in her tracks, and gave everyone a hug, Nathan included.

“So you finally got the balls to meet the parents, huh?” she asked in her usual forthright manner.

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Lauren, darling, language.”

Lauren merely gave her mother a resounding smack on the cheek in reply. “Nathan’s a big boy. He can handle whatever I dish out.”

Julia shook her head in exasperation as she greeted her twin with a hug. “One of these days that smart mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble.”

Lauren hooted. “Baby sister, what makes you think it already hasn’t? Remind me to tell you about the latest blow-up I had with my boss. I can still see the steam coming out of his ears.”

Julia frowned. “Careful he doesn’t fire your butt.”

“Nah. It’s way too cute a butt and besides, Ben knows how valuable I am to the magazine. Doesn’t hurt to keep him on his toes every so often. So – you don’t look a year older, baby girl.”

Julia laughed. “Yeah, neither do you, big sis.”

“That’s because your birthday isn’t until tomorrow,” retorted Robert. “And both of my girls look beautiful. Though I can’t believe you’re already twenty-six. It seems like just yesterday you were small enough that your mother could still dress you alike.”

Lauren shuddered. “Thank God Mom got over that whole notion by the time we were two.”

“That’s because Julia refused to wear anything but cute, frilly dresses and you would only wear pants or shorts,” replied Natalie dryly. “Some things haven’t changed.”

“Hey, I wore a dress last month,” protested Lauren. “It was at a dinner party that Jules and Nathan gave. One of their big clients attended so Julia dragged me into her closet and got me all girly.”

Julia smiled. “And she looked gorgeous. Enough so that Ian stuck by your side all evening.”

Lauren shrugged. “He’s a sweetheart. Such a gentleman and really, really attractive. But nothing happening there, I’m afraid. Not my type.”

“Honestly, Lauren?” asked Julia in exasperation. “Mom, you should see this guy. Six four, shoulders like a linebacker, Savile Row suits, British accent. And he’s filthy rich. But Lauren would rather go out with some grungy guy in a two-bit rock band who lives above a garage somewhere.”

“If Ian Gregson is so fabulous, why aren’t you dating him?” challenged Lauren.

“Um, hey? Over here? Remember me – the boyfriend?” Nathan glared at Lauren. “I saw her first. And Ian is a client – our best client.”

Lauren looked unimpressed. “So? You’re Julia’s boss – employer – whatever. How is that anymore appropriate?”

“Enough.” Robert McKinnon’s voice was brisk and authoritative, and both girls were instantly quiet. “It’s like the two of you were back in high school with your arguing. Let’s have a peaceful weekend, young ladies. I don’t get to see both of my girls together very often so cease your bickering.”

Nathan wasn’t surprised when Julia obediently murmured, “Yes, Daddy,” but he was startled when the ballsy Lauren also backed down and gave her father a hug. It was obvious that Robert adored his twin daughters and that they in turn doted on their father.

Julia helped Natalie get dinner together while Lauren fed the dogs. That left Nathan alone with Robert.

“I’ve been admiring this house since we drove up,” admitted Nathan. “It’s given me a few ideas about a project I’m working on. A personal project.”

Robert nodded. “Julia mentioned that you’re designing a home of your own. And that you’ve got designers block or some such thing.”

Nathan grinned. “I’m not sure that’s an actual condition but yes, nothing I’ve started so far feels right. There’s something I’m missing, and it’s been driving me mad for months now.”

The older man finished his wine. “Did you bring any of your designs along?”

“I did, actually,” admitted Nathan. “I thought spending time by the ocean might inspire me. I don’t know how much Julia has told you about the lot but it’s on the waterfront.”

“Aye, she told me that much.” A trace of Robert’s Scottish brogue could be plainly heard now and then, though living in the U.S. for over forty years had erased most of it. “Perhaps after dinner we’ll take a look at some of your ideas, brainstorm a bit. Natalie has a good eye for these things, too. Such a talent that woman has for art and design. Simply brilliant.”

Nathan was almost speechless with surprise. “I - that’s fantastic, Mr. McKinnon. But I don’t want to intrude, especially since you don’t get to see your daughters that often.”

“Not to worry, young man. I see our Laurie quite a bit, and Natalie and I are planning to visit Julia at the end of the month. In fact, we can take a first- hand look at this property of yours, maybe refine any ideas we might come up with this weekend. And Nathan – “he paused until Nathan met his eye, then smiled reassuringly. “It’s Robert. We’re not much for formalities around here.”

Nathan couldn’t help but contrast the relaxed and informal atmosphere that filled the McKinnon home with the stiff, uncomfortable and stuffy feeling he’d always had when associating with Cameron’s family. The Tollivers would never have dreamed of dining alfresco in bare feet, eating off Mexican pottery and enjoying a casual but delicious meal of clam chowder, cracked crab, and a huge green salad. The conversation around the dinner table was lively and stimulating, and Nathan never felt that he had to choose his words carefully or avoid particular topics. The McKinnons made him feel instantly welcomed and part of the family. Even the dogs liked him, judging by the fact that one rested a furry head in his lap, while another lounged at his feet.

“You’ve made some friends there, Nathan,” observed Natalie with a smile.

Lauren snickered. “Don’t flatter him, Mom. These mutts will hang around anyone they think will cave in and feed them. They must scent your susceptibility, Nathan.”

“Hey, missy, these are purebred, pedigreed Aussies,” said Robert in indignation. “Don’t be calling my boys and my best girl here mutts.” He scratched an adoring Gracie behind the ears.

“Dad’s dogs got away with murder when we were growing up,” groused Julia. “Far more spoiled and indulged than Lauren and I were.”

“And more obedient, too,” retorted Robert.

Julia tapped Mickey on the nose, his head still resting in Nathan’s lap. “Hey, you, stop begging. Never mind that look. I stopped falling for those sorts of looks a long time ago.” She looked curiously from the dog’s pale blue eyes to Nathan’s and smiled. “Look, you two have the same eyes.”

Nathan grinned. “Maybe Mickey thinks I’m a long lost brother or cousin. He sees the family resemblance.”

That comment brought a round of laughter from everyone at the table and made Nathan feel even more at ease.

When dinner was over, everyone did their part in clearing the table and tidying up the dishes. Robert took several shot glasses from a cabinet in the dining room.

“What say we hold off on coffee and dessert for a bit and break open this lovely bottle of Macallan that Nathan brought down?” he suggested.

There were no arguments to be heard as everyone settled around the spacious oak pedestal table in the dining room. The sun had set and with it the day’s balmy temperatures, so it felt good to be inside the house. At Robert’s urgings, Nathan fetched the house designs he’d brought with him and spread them out on the huge table. It didn’t take long for all the McKinnons to jump into the discussion and offer up their opinions, in between shots of twenty-one year old single malt Scotch.

After listening to his wife’s and daughters’ ideas, Robert furrowed his brow and tapped a finger against his lips.

“Here’s a thought, Nathan. What if you were to change this over here – “he drew a few lines, erased others. “And then, in this section, you tried something like this.”

Fifteen minutes later, Nathan could only stare in wide-eyed admiration at the small but significant changes Robert had made. All of a sudden the missing pieces clicked into place, and he had a clear and vivid picture of what he wanted to do.

The two men worked on the design for another hour until the smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm cinnamon scented bread budding lured them away from their project. It was after midnight by the time he was cuddling in bed with Julia, and he offered up an apology.

“I’m sorry if I neglected you tonight, baby. I just couldn’t believe how that design came together so easily with your dad’s input. He really is a genius,” marveled Nathan.

Julia entwined her legs with his, pressing a kiss to his throat. “I don’t mind at all. I’m just happy you seem to get on so well with him. Daddy isn’t always an easy one to get close to. But he likes you, I can tell.”

He stilled her hand as it caressed his hip. “Well, he won’t like me at all if he thinks we’re getting it on in his house. As tempting as you are, I’m not going to ravish you with your parents’ bedroom on one side, and your sister’s on another. Not to mention our roommate here.”