It didnt take very long and, in the meantime, the cards had come out, along with a chessboard, and Evies best friendand Alexseis ex-fiancéehad shown up.
Maybe rolled her eyes, but only when no one could see her face except Rachel. Rada and Maybe had achieved a truce and were fine being civil with one another but Rachel knew her sister still thought the other woman was an asshole.
Vic grabbed her by the waist to waylay her, drawing her close. It makes my mother happy to teach you things, he murmured in her ear.
It makes me happy to learn things and eat what she cooks. She tried to get a little space, knowing they were being watched. Really, I like your family.
Thats good. Since theyre part of the package.
It was a pretty spectacular package, all teasing aside.
Come play cards, his father called out from the dining room.
Arent you tired? she asked Vic quietly.
In a good way. If you want to go home, no one will be offended. But Id like it if you stayed. They would too.
A warm wave flowed over her. She knew the look on her face was goofy but it couldnt be helped. She was happy.
Im a night owl. Youre the one who gets up at four every day.
Shed be worth a tired day. Not tomorrow though. I get to sleep in. He wasnt going to beg, but certainly a cajole would be fine.
Especially when it made her features soften and get a little more tender. He was a sucker for her soft side. Wanted to coax it out. And when she was kind to his family, laughing and playing with them, it was like nothing hed ever experienced.
All right. But dont expect me to take it easy on you tomorrow on our hike.
Id never expect anything less. Now go lose some money to my father and Ill get you some tea and me some vodka.
CHAPTER SIX
HE KEPT AN eye on herand her assas she climbed the trail ahead of him. Her hair pulled into two short little pigtails, sleek gear clinging to her figure. A strong, fit figure.
Out here she tended to move with measured confidence. He found it sexy that she knew what she was doing. Her strength and skill made it possible to enjoy the hike the way he did when he was out with his buddies in his hiking crew.
She didnt need taking care of. Didnt want it certainly. Out here she was in her element as much as he was. Another sexy thing.
It was cold but mostly clear, though he got the feeling shed have been okay in the rain too. And when they got to the top of the trail where theyd be turning to head back, she pulled out a thermos. Want some coffee?
He sat on a log and patted the space next to him. I do. I propose to trade cookies in exchange.
Youre handy to have around, Orlov.
He pulled the cookies out while she poured them both a cup of coffee.
Did you make these? She indicated the cookie she nibbled on.
Fresh yesterday morning. I set some by for this hike. I know your secret.
She turned, a question on her face.
You have a sweet tooth. Just know Ill happily seduce you with whatever tools I have in my arsenal.
Laughing, she stole another cookie from the bag on his lap.
Have you loved baking since forever? I imagine growing up in the family business its easier that way. Were they bakers back in Russia?
My mother was a nursery school teacher. My dad worked in a factory. They came here in the early 80s and they started the bakery on little more than a hope and a prayer and a Russian community here in Seattle hungry for a taste of home. We grew up in the bakery, but I didnt always want to run the business.
Life sometimes just happened to you. Shed know that better than most.
So, what happened, if you dont mind saying? she asked.
At one time I had planned to be a cop.
One of her brows went up. And yet you make the best bread Ive ever eaten in my life. You have a lot of talents, Vic.
He laughed. Thats how I know Seth. Ive been volunteer search and rescue for the county. My team and I were helping some King County Sheriffs officers find a kid whod run away from a campsite. There was some Seattle PD crossover and he was there to help when we brought the boy back. Cristian came by with Alexsei and they met.
Aw, I love that story. What changed it? I mean from sheriff wannabe to baker? Family expectations?
He took a deep breath. You know we had an older brother who died. Danil. We dont often talk about the how. Anyway, he was supposed to take over for our parents. So I worked there part-time but mainly stepped out of his way. But he was troubled. Sick. Addicted. As he began to fray, it got more and more obvious Id have to step in full-time.
The pain of the memories rolled through him. Held back a little by the distance of time.
She took his hand. You dont have to say it if you dont want to.
It wasnt his shame. But it sure was his pain.
He robbed a store. For drug money. And got caught. He went to jail. Which was good in that he got clean. But then he was released and he wasnt clean. Not really.
She put her head on his shoulder.
He overdosed before trial. My parents...they fell apart. They were ashamed and felt guilty and responsible. My aunt did all she could. People worked overtime to shoulder the load, but it was necessary for me to commit to running the bakery full-time. Danil was supposed to do it. It was supposed to be his place. But Im doing it.
Im sorry. What a tragic situation.
He sighed. When we were kids he was my protector. Always the life of the party. I guess that should have been a clue. He just didnt know when to stop. And it killed him and nearly destroyed the family.
But in the end, it had given Vic a future hed never imagined. And hed been part of keeping the family together. Hed learned a lot about himself. About what family truly meant.
Your parents arent the only ones with survivors guilt. A statement.
Vic looked at her carefully. It was cold enough that their breath misted around their faces. The scent of the coffee mixed with the pungent evergreens still lush even in winter.
That sounds like you might know a thing or two about it, he said.
It wasnt that she never spoke of her experience. He knew the basics. But it never went very deep. He never pressed and she never offered. Until then.
I know what it means to understand one thing and occasionally feel another. I know what it feels like to second-guess every choice. And what it feels like to know some of those choices were bad ones. Did you go to therapy at all?
The whole family did a few sessions. Evie had a lot of trouble in school for a while. It happened during her senior year of high school. My parents are very skeptical of therapy in general, but they did agree to attend a few sessions. I wish theyd done more, but they were so reluctant and after a while it turned into a fight every time. And you know, Id had enough fighting with them. I just wanted them to be happy and be able to get past his death.
Rachel nodded. I understand.
He got the feeling she really did. And something inside him that had been knotted loosened just a little.