Not Planning on You (Danvers #2)(17)
“My mother believed that we should never be dependent on someone else to take care of us. Nick and I learned to cook at an early age. My parents, although financially secure, didn’t believe in having others take care of them. Nick and I planned, shopped for, and prepared dinner once a week for the family. Everything had to be made from scratch, and sandwiches were not allowed. My mother loved to cook, and I find I enjoy it as well. It’s a great stress reliever. Of course with my busy schedule, I don’t have time to cook every evening, but when I do, I much prefer it to dining out.”
Despite herself, Suzy was impressed. Gray was nothing like she’d imagined. She always pictured him as an uptight, rich guy, with an uptight, rich family. As she enjoyed the rest of her meal, she said, “Tell me more about your parents, what was it like growing up?”
A warm feeling spread through Gray at Suzy’s interest in his life. She’d always been so careful to maintain a distance between them. He knew she was trying to protect herself from being hurt again, and he’d tried to give her the time that she needed. She’d knocked him on his ass the first time they’d met and time had done nothing to change that.
“My parents are wonderful. Nothing like you’d expect. You will love my mother. You never know what’s going to come out of her mouth. She’s outspoken, funny, and always finds a positive in something or someone. She’s very affectionate, but doesn’t mind busting our balls…Um giving us a piece of her mind when she feels we deserve it. She reminds me a lot of you actually, well, minus the leopard skin. My father is her opposite. He’s quiet and dotes on my mother like some poor sap. She in turn treats him like a king. Don’t get me wrong, my father can be ruthless in business and is very shrewd, but where my mother is concerned, he’s putty in her hands. Even after all of these years, you would swear they’re newlyweds.”
Suzy smiled at the love she could hear so plainly in Gray’s voice, and waited for him to continue. “My mother’s favorite quest of the moment is to see her boys, as she still calls us, settled down and happy. She feels that there may be hope for me, but has her work cut out for her with Nick. He’s the baby of the family, and even though he has a hard time keeping his pants zipped, she can’t stay mad at him. Nick’s charm makes him a favorite with all the ladies, even our mother.” Affection was apparent in his voice; there wasn’t a hint of jealously that Suzy could detect.
“It sounds like you have a wonderful family, Gray. You’re very lucky.” With a smile, she continued, “I don’t think anyone could ever accuse our parents of doting on each other or us. Displays of affection make them uncomfortable.” She paused to gather her thoughts and said, “They aren’t bad people. Work is their life, and I accepted that long ago. Like most kids, I rebelled as often as I could, but it doesn’t change anything. I think at one point, they seriously considered trying to get a grant to study me I so confused them. But after many years, we all adapted to each other and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Gray didn’t think it was as simple as Suzy made it out to be, but she clearly didn’t want to talk about her parents anymore, and he respected her wishes. “If you’re all done, I’ll clean up and find your football game on the television.”
Suzy let out a groan and said, “If you don’t help me to the bathroom Gray, I’m going to christen this couch for you in style. “
He grabbed her tray and set it back on the table. “I’m sorry, it’s been a while.”
“Maybe I could try to walk this time if you help me up?”
With a leer, Gray said, “I don’t think so. Give a guy a break. This is the only thrill I’m getting right now.”
Suzy couldn’t help herself—she laughed and then clutched her ribs as the pain pierced her. Ok, note to self, no fun of any kind until I’m well. She waved Gray off as concern filled his eyes. “It’s ok. Just try not to be so amusing. Now please carry me to the bathroom before I embarrass myself right here.”
Gray gently picked her up and Suzy finally got a glimpse of more of the house. Gray carried her down a long hallway with the same color scheme as the living area they had just left. The hallway appeared to only have one set of double doors at the end. Suzy was intrigued. Surely, the bathroom didn’t take up one entire end of the house. As they approached the doors, Suzy could see that the room was plainly a bedroom, and obviously, the master.
“Wow, now this is impressive.” The room was huge and contained a full seating area with a leather couch, matching chair and ottoman and built-in bookcases. A king-size bed dominated the center of the room, with a wall of windows to the right. The room was painted a taupe color with white trim and a tray ceiling. A wrought iron chandelier was suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room with what appeared to be matching bedside lamps. The room was cozy, yet elegant. You would feel comfortable kicking off your shoes and cuddling up on one of the couches with a good book, but still be proud to show this room off. A fireplace of similar design to the one in the living room stood on the wall at the foot of the bed. Another huge, flat-panel television dominated the space above the mantel. You gotta love people that know how to enjoy television.
Gray had paused to let her look around for a few moments, and continued on to the master bath. “You do know that I’m going to have to um…help you here, right?”