Dakota Homecoming Read online

  “Snow!”

  Georgie could hardly contain herself as she grabbed a pair of heavy socks she’d shoved into her suitcase and then dropped down to the chair to pull them on her feet. Sometime during the night it had snowed and a fresh layer of white covered the ground like frosting on a birthday cake. It was still snowing and she couldn’t wait to see it up close.

  She’d left her boots by the door and wasted no time running down the stairs, through the kitchen and to the mudroom.

  “Where’s the fire?” she heard Joan ask.

  “It’s snowing!” Georgie said. She slipped into her boots and ran out the door.

  “It usually does that around here,” she barely heard Joan say as the door closed behind her.

  Once outside, Georgie lifted her face to the sky and let the snowflakes fall against her warm cheek. Jumping off the porch, she dropped to the ground and let her boots get buried in the snow. She kicked and laughed and kicked some more as she made a path by dragging her feet. By the time breakfast was finished, someone would be out here shoveling a clean path that people could actually walk on.

  She turned to the sound of the door opening and closing again and saw Julian. His jacket was unzipped, showing his wheat colored Henley top. In his hands, he held two pairs of thermal gloves and the red jacket Julian had insisted she get before they made their journey north.

  “My mother is afraid you’re going to catch pneumonia and miss the wedding.”

  She lifted her hands palm side up to catch snowflakes. “It’s snowing.”

  He chuckled. “So you’ve told us.”

  “Isn’t it exciting?”

  “I’m trembling, I’m so excited,” he said deadpan.

  She couldn’t help but laugh at the look on Julian’s face. “I know I probably look ridiculous. But I’ve never seen snow. Not like this anyway. The few times I ever saw snow where I grew up, the snow was gone as soon as the snowflakes hit the ground.”

  “Well, we sure do get snow here in South Dakota.”

  She reached down and took a clump of snow in her hands and balled it. The ice crystals stung her skin.

  “Take these before you freeze to death,” he said.

  “I’m fine.”

  “If you don’t want my mother at that kitchen door yelling at you for being out here unprepared, you’ll just do as you’re told.”

  Georgie glanced back at the house and saw Joan was standing at the window, looking out at the two of them.

  Georgie waved. Joan smiled and waved back. She genuinely liked Julian's mother. Something about her reminded her of her grandmother. Her grandmother had died when Georgie was just a little girl, but she remember her well. The two women had lived such different lives and were so different. But Georgie could already tell that Joan had that big heart her grandmother always had. She never turned anyone away. Her door was always open to someone in need, no matter how little her grandmother had.

  Georgie dragged her boots in the snow again as she walked over to Julian and took the jacket. As she shrugged into it, she saw Joan smile. Then she dropped the curtain she’d lifted up to peer outside back into place. Georgie took the gloves from Julian and slipped her hands inside. The warmth that enveloped her freezing skin was immediate and she was thankful for Joan’s urging Julian to bring her protective clothes.

  Julian took her gloved hands in his bare hands, rubbing them over the fabric. “Better?”

  She sucked in a deep breath of cold, fresh morning air and nodded.

  Julian’s gaze met hers. She saw the smile pulling at his lips but she could tell he was holding back. “So who was that snowball meant for,” he asked.

  “What makes you think it was meant for a person?”

  His eyebrows lifted. “You mean it wasn’t?”

  She opened her mouth and gave him a mock shocked glare. “Are you accusing me of something?”

  “Nothing more than I’d expect from myself.”

  She giggled. “You mean a real snowball fight.”

  He cocked his head to one side and let go of her hands. “Well, now the moment is ruined. You’re expecting it. The best snowball fights happen when you least expect it.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure thing. This yard has seen lots of snowball fights over the years.”

  She glanced around. She could imagine a clan of McKinnons running around in the snow, hurling snowballs at each other and laughing. Her mind wandered further to children piling into the house and stripping off their boots, jackets and gloves, and sitting down at the kitchen table to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate that Joan made special just for them.

  A stab of envy pierced her heart. It wasn’t the hot chocolate or the snowball fight that gripped her. It was everything else that couldn’t be seen or touched that was important. It was felt. Love. Family. Home. She knew nothing about that sort of thing. Not in the way they’d lived it here. She knew a fear that was always there. There’d been an underlying fear deep inside Georgie her whole life. First with her stepfather and his disapproval. And now with Eduardo.

  Julian was still rubbing his hands over her gloves.

  “It’s getting cold,” she said quietly. “I hate the cold.”

  He frowned and squeezed her hand. “Then it’s a good thing I brought your jacket.”

  His blue eyes seemed to glow against the backdrop of the white snow. His dark hair was tussled, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the wind or if he hadn't had a chance to comb it before she’d taken off outside.

  Julian McKinnon was without a doubt the most handsome man she’d ever met. And he…he was nice. How did that happen? How could God have given him the gift of being drop dead gorgeous and being a great guy? She thought back to his manners at the car. It was nothing big. It was all the little things he did. Picking up her suitcase and carrying it for her. Opening her car door. He was a gentleman. Wow, what a novel concept!

  And she had the incredible urge to kiss him. She’d thought about it last night before she’d gone to bed. She’d seen firsthand how incredibly strong he was and she longed to have those strong arms around her, holding her, making her feel safe. She wanted to know what it was like to have his mouth on hers. Would all his emotions be contained? Or did he unleash unbridled passion when he held a woman in his arms.

  “Georgie?” he whispered.

  She sucked in a deep breath and touched his face. “Julian?” Then she parted her mouth and sucked in a deep breath of crisp South Dakota morning air.

  Julian came closer to her and her heart raced. She closed her eyes and waited for her dream to be in Julian’s arms to become a reality.

  Chapter Five

  “The coffee is done brewing!”

  Georgie’s eyes flew open at the sound of Joan’s voice. Julian’s hand was on her arm. He squeezed it gently and chuckled.

  “Her timing is perfect,” he said quietly.

  “You call that perfect?”

  “Grace and Liam are going to be here any minute. Oh, my, it’s cold out here this morning. You two get in here before you both get sick!”

  Georgie drew in a deep breath of air and then followed Julian into the house. She dropped her boots in the mudroom and hung her jacket up on the same coat hook she’d hung it on last night, making sure to put her gloves in the pocket so she’d have them ready when she went out again. The smell of coffee and cinnamon tickled her nose and drew her into the kitchen where she found Joan pulling a muffin tin out of a hot oven.

  When Joan heard them come into the kitchen, she placed the muffin tin on the top of the ceramic top stove and spun around. “I thought you’d lost your mind,” she said, looking at Georgie.

  “Who me?” she asked.

  “Who goes outside this time of the year in South Dakota without a jacket?” Joan chuckled. “When I saw you running around out there in your pajamas, I thought I’d die.”

  Heat crept up Georgie’s cheeks. “Sweats. And it’s my first time seeing snow.”

  “We sure ge
t a lot of it so you’re going to get your fill this week. Here, have an apple muffin while they are warm and some coffee.” Joan turned to Julian. “Liam doesn’t have school today so he’s spending the day here. Gracie will be here any minute.”

  “I should get upstairs and get dressed,” Georgie said, starting for the stairway.

  “Nonsense. You haven’t even had breakfast yet,” Joan said as she took the muffins out of the muffin tin and arranged them on a plate. “Have a seat at the table. Julian, pour Georgiana a cup of coffee so she can warm herself.”

  “It’s Georgie,” Georgie said, hoping she wasn’t insulting Joan by correcting her. “My birth name is Georgie.”

  “Really?” Joan said with a smile. “That’s a little unusual, isn’t it?”

  “Mom,” Julian said.

  “I’m just asking,” Joan said, swatting her son with the pot holder. To Georgie she asked, “Are you named after someone in your family?”

  Georgie’s lips lifted to a smile as she sat in a chair at the table. “A song. My mother loved the song.”

  She glanced at Julian who cast her an amused grin.

  “Don’t say it,” she warned.

  He put a cup of coffee down in front of her and then lifted his hands, saying, “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Well, I like the name,” Joan said. “It has a story to it. Your named after a song. Something you can one day tell your children.”

  Joan put the plate of muffins on the table and then went to the refrigerator and opened the door. She glanced at Julian and whispered. “Did you offer her cream for her coffee?”

  He shrunk a notch. “I figured you would. You always do.”

  Joan shook her head and lifted a carton of half-and-half to show Georgie.

  “Please,” Georgie said.

  Joan dropped the half-and-half in front of her and Georgie put a few drops in her coffee. She was glad to have something to do rather than look at the curious glances Joan gave Julian. Who knows what he’d told his family about her being there? He said they were a couple. Did they think they were serious? Having sex?

  She groaned quietly as she picked up her coffee and took a sip.

  “Is it too bitter?” Joan asked.

  Georgie held the mug in her hands and glanced over at Julian and Joan. They’d heard her groan.

  “No, it’s wonderful. I…” What could she say? “I’m not sure how fancy the wedding is going to be and I was…I was just thinking that I might not have brought a dress that is appropriate for the occasion.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Joan said. “You’re a very pretty girl. I’m sure whatever you brought to wear will be beautiful.”

  Joan lifted her head at the sound of the front door opening.

  “We’re in the kitchen!” she called out.

  Feet pounding on the floor grew louder until a young boy appeared in the hallway.

  “Walk!” a female voice called out.

  “I’m here!” the boy said, launching into Joan’s open arms.

  “Give your old gramma a big hug, Liam.”

  Joan kissed him on the head and rocked him as she hugged him tight. Georgie couldn’t help but smile at the affection between the two of them. She’d been so interested in this bond between grandmother and grandson that she hadn’t noticed the woman standing in the doorway. Her dark blond hair was pulled back neatly and secured in a barrette. Her herringbone wool coat was unbuttoned, revealing a silky white blouse and a black skirt.

  “Ah, when did you get the new coat? I like it,” Joan said.

  The woman’s smile was wide. “Strick got it for me.”

  “Strick? Is that the new man?” Julian asked, grabbing a muffin from the plate and peeling the foil wrapper away and then taking a bite.

  “Yes. You’ll meet him later tonight when I get back from the office. He’s coming to dinner.” She turned to Georgie. “I’m Grace, my inconsiderate brother’s older sister.”

  “Inconsiderate?” Julian hooked his sister with the arm that didn’t have the half eaten muffin. “You haven’t seen me in nine months and that’s what I get from you?”

  She kissed him on the cheek. “You made me introduce myself to your girlfriend.”

  Julian glanced at Georgie and winked. “Because I know you can’t help yourself. You beat me to it.”

  Grace made a face and glanced at Georgie. “You really want to put up with this guy?”

  Georgie shrugged and said, “He didn’t exactly give me a choice.”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. Don’t let him get away with that.”

  “It’s not even sixty seconds and you’re already at each other. Save it for later,” Joan said.

  “I need to get to work anyway,” Grace said. She hugged Liam and the kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you tonight. Listen to Grandma. Don’t listen to anything Uncle Julian says,” she whispered loudly.

  “Hey!” Julian said.

  “Don’t worry, Uncle Julian. Mom says that about all the uncles.”

  Georgie chuckled as another stab of envy pierced her heart. This house and the people in it were so unlike what she’d known growing up. And she hadn’t even met the entire McKinnon family yet. Suddenly the simple dinner that was planned for tonight seemed terrifying. She was going to stick out like a sore thumb.

  “I’ll stop by Aunt Kate’s on the way home from the office and pick up some pastries from the diner,” Grace said.

  “Don’t bother,” Joan said. “Kate and Don are coming and I think Wade and Skylar. Ethan has a shift at the police station, but he might stop by with Maddie at some point. Sam and Summer are still in Colorado but they're coming back in a few days so they won’t be here tonight yet.”

  “What about Logan and Poppy?” Julian asked.

  “I’m not sure. The baby had a cold and Poppy doesn’t want her to be sick for the wedding.”

  Georgie listened to them rattle on about family members that would be at dinner tonight wondering how she was going to be able to keep them all straight.

  Julian leaned towards her. “Don’t worry, they won’t eat you alive.”

  The warmth of his body enveloped her even though they weren’t touching. He’d showered already and the scent of soap tickled her nose and filled her head.

  “Are you sure about that?” she whispered.

  As he flashed her a quick grin, that fight or flight feeling she’d had so many times during her life filled her. How the hell was she going to keep up this charade with Julian for a whole week?

  * * *

  It was always good to catch up with his family. Sitting down around the dining room table and sharing stories of their childhood was something Julian had missed these last nine months since he’d been home. Some of his cousins had decided to come for dinner after hearing Julian had finally come home. His cousin Wade, who had been missing for five years and presumed dead, knew how important a McKinnon homecoming was to the family. He made sure to come by with his new wife, Skylar, and their six-year-old son, Alex.

  Julian had known Skylar for years because she worked with his aunt Kate at the diner in the center of Rudolph. She’d been a fixture at many McKinnon family outings long before any of them knew that she and Wade had been lovers in Samoa before Wade disappeared. To see the two of them now, you’d never know they’d ever been apart. Skylar sat at the table talking to Grace about how her morning sickness had finally passed but she was already uncomfortable sleeping.

  Grace and Skylar traded pregnancy stories. His older brother Ian and cousin Wade traded military stories. Julian glanced at Georgie, who was sitting at the table taking it all in.

  His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling the cell phone out, he glanced at the caller ID. He let the phone ring as he made his way through the kitchen, to the mudroom where he hoped he wouldn’t be disturbed.

  By the time he’d gotten there, the call had ended, so Julian called Kelly back. Kelly answered on the first ring.

  “You mad
e it to South Dakota,” he said.

  “Yeah, thank you for giving me leeway on this.”

  “You can thank Georgie. If she’d put up a fuss, we would have had to make other arrangements. Is she fitting in okay with your family?”

  “Like she belongs.” The words had been automatic, but it was something that had been on Julian’s mind for the past twenty-four hours.

  “Really? Well, that’s a plus. Nothing has come through on her phone.”

  “As far as I know she hasn’t had any contact with her cousin or Sanchez.”

  Kelly’s sigh was heavy and distorted the line. “We have a situation.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning things are more complicated than we’d originally thought.”

  “How so?”

  “My oldest son, Dylan, has discovered that Cash was married. There are ties to Colombia with this woman’s family. It may be the reason he went to Colombia in the first place. We’re still gathering information about the woman.”

  “Well, that’s good news, isn’t it? If Dylan can find out why Cash went to Colombia without the DEA’s knowledge, we might get closer to finding him.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping. We need to know if she heard Eduardo talk about a man named Manuel Turgis. We have people looking into his connections to Eduardo Sanchez, but we don’t want to raise any red flags in the organization down there. If they knew we were doing an investigation it could put my son’s life at further risk.”

  “Understood. Georgie did tell me she heard Eduardo talk about sending Cash to a private facility. He wanted Cash alive to find out what he knew and who else knew.”

  “She didn’t hear a location?”

  “No. Eduardo called him The American.”

  “Well, as hard as it is, it’s good to hear they want him alive. Hopefully they’ll keep him alive until we find him. One final thing. Has she mentioned the Aztec Corporation?”

  “Not that I recall.”

  “Okay. Keep me informed if anything changes. Enjoy your time with your family.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Julian hung up the phone and replayed the conversations he’d had with Georgie in his mind. When everyone turned in later, he’d sit down at the computer and see if he could find out anything about the Aztec Corporation. If Georgie knew a little bit about it, perhaps it would jog her memory. The day she’d been at Eduardo Sanchez’s compound had clearly been traumatic for her.