Vivian Arend - Turn It On

“Home invasion. I was protecting myself. You’re fucking lucky you’re family or I would protect myself even more. Knowing Maxine, she’s going to be tender-hearted enough to want you standing when the cops get here.” He slammed a final fist into Mill’s gut and watched with grim satisfaction as the man collapsed to the floor. “I’ll be sure to hold you up while they cuff you.”

Maxine laughed as Ryan led her up the wide steps at the front of the house. “Are you planning on telling me the surprise now?”

A gentle kiss brushed her cheek, and she turned her head to try and catch hold of his lips. He evaded her with a chuckle. “Patience. You’ll see soon enough.”

She clung to Ryan’s arm as he entered the security codes to unlock the front door. She was so thankful to be able to be coming home and know the house was finally safe.

It had shocked her immensely to learn Maximilian was the cause of all her troubles. When the news spread like wildfire, the whole clan had gone quiet, almost like they were in mourning. There was anger at her cousin, but also guilt within the family as a whole for not recognizing the danger as it had developed. Her auntie and uncle were hardest hit—they’d apologized for Maximilian’s action a dozen times before Ryan had whisked them out of the hospital room, insisting they join him for a coffee. When they returned an hour later, they’d kissed Maxine and said nothing more about their son’s choices, instead helping plan Christmas activities.

“You never did tell me what you did to Maximilian’s parents.” She stroked her fingers down his arm and wondered at the rightness of having him with her. She still remembered the revelation she’d had before the accident. Hopefully she could share the news with him soon.

“I reminded them we make our own decisions in life. Maximilian decided he needed money to be important, and it messed up everything he had going for him. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you Turners, in your family, it’s not the money it’s the relationships that are important. He lost sight of that, and now you’re all suffering. But it was his mistake, not theirs.”

“The family is still upset. It was a huge surprise to us all.”

Ryan sighed. “It was, and it’ll take time to get over it, but that’s the one thing I think your family has going for it. Every new memory you make as a clan will help wash away a little of the hurt. And hopefully others have learned from Maximilian’s mistake.”

He led her into the house and helped her take off the poncho she wore in lieu of a jacket. Nothing else she owned fit over the bulky cast on her right arm. She took a deep breath through her nose. Spicy ginger, sweet cinnamon and the scent of pine lingered in the air.

“It smells wonderful in here, Ryan. What have you done?” She tried to peer around him, but he blocked her view of the living area with his broad shoulders.

“Hmm, you’ll see. Are you ready?”

He bowed with a flourish, then stepped away. Maxine glanced around the room in amazement, her heart pounding. “Oh my word, how did you get this done so fast? How did you know where everything goes?”

The house was a wonderland. Garland and tinsel and antique silver ornaments sparkled in the afternoon sunlight that blazed in the windows. Life-sized Santa and Mrs. Claus snowmen held court in the middle of the living room next to the largest pine tree Maxine had ever seen. Trinkets and glass globes, bright red bows and hand-stitched pillows decorated the rooms. The family nativity scene with the manger as big as a dollhouse sat in its place of honor next to the grand staircase.

A sensation of wonder filled her, lifted her spirit and swept into all the corners of her heart that still held any fear or regret concerning the past months. “Ryan, it’s gorgeous.” She turned and tugged his hand until she nestled against him. She kissed him, trying to put her thanks into the touch. Let him know how much his gift meant. They parted slowly, staring at each other. He was everything she needed.

“How did you do it?” she asked again.

He chuckled. “We had an infestation of Maxes. It started innocently enough. I simply asked Junior if he’d be willing to come and help me put up the outside lights so you’d have the pleasure of seeing the house lit up when you got released from the hospital. The next thing I know I’ve got the family phonebook in my hand, and Junior’s telling me who to call to put in charge of what and…presto! Decorated house.” He led her toward the fireplace and the comfortable leather recliner placed near it for her to relax in. “Your aunties all think I can’t cook and there are now a million casseroles in the freezer. And the Christmas baking is done, unless you think we need more than twelve dozen cookies and squares for private consumption.”

Maxine sat back in the chair gingerly, happy to relax and admire the many things in the room. But of all the sights bringing her pleasure, the man kneeling at her feet was the most important. “You made one of those new memories you talked about happen, didn’t you? Everyone here decorating instead of sitting at home worrying about what they could have done differently. Thank you so much. It must have been a bit of zoo.” She stroked his cheek. “I know there’s a lot of them, but they all mean well.”

“—and they’re your family and you love them. I know. They love you too.” Ryan stopped and cleared his throat. “Maxine, I’m not sure you remember, but the first day you were in the hospital…” He paused then shuffled until he knelt directly in front of her. Taking her good hand in his, he kissed her fingers then held on tight. “I love you. I knew before you got hurt. I think I knew it the first night we went out and you told me about wanting to sleep on the porch. You’ve touched me, deep inside. You’ve changed me and made me realize what I’ve been missing in my life.”

Her throat closed tight with tears as she listened to Ryan, watched his dark eyes stare at her with such concentration and seriousness. His usual control wavered and he reached into his pocket with shaky hands. He pulled out a small grey box and opened it, displaying a very familiar delicate silver ring. “I’ve been missing family. I’ve been missing love. I had tea with your Gramma earlier today, to tell her I planned on asking you to marry me, and she insisted I have this. To give to you.”

Tears filled her eyes and she bit her lip to keep them from flooding out.

“She said she’d worn this ring for almost sixty years. It’s a little worn and scratched, but the marks on the band were all caused by love. By keeping a home and raising children and loving her husband. By living life to the fullest. She said if that’s what we planned on doing, she thought she should pass the ring on, so it could continue to enjoy what family is all about.”

He smiled at her, waiting, and she took a deep breath. Her heart filled to the top and overflowed. “So, are you going to ask me?” she teased quietly.

“You’re so impatient, just like when we make love. Give me a minute, we’ve got plenty of time.”

Maxine laughed and hit his shoulder.

He swallowed hard and stared into her eyes. “Maxine Adele Turner, will you marry me?”

She threw himself at him. Her plaster cast stuck out to the side but she still managed to get a grip on him, draping her good arm around and pulling in tight to drop kisses on his face. Her injuries responded with a twinge but the delight pouring through her far outweighed the pain. He stood and lifted her until they reached lip to lip, the long broomstick skirt she wore riding up to let her legs wrap around his torso. Mouths met and his intoxicating flavor rolled over her tongue, his hands caressing and supporting her and igniting her desire.

They pulled apart breathlessly and Maxine smiled at him sweetly. “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, and you can’t back out later, the official answer is yes. Now let me know which one of my family told you my middle name, so I can go kill them.”

Ryan laughed. “Oh no, I like your brother too much to let you hurt him. I need to warn you, Gramma will be joining us for breakfast tomorrow, along with your parents. Junior, Natasha and the baby are coming as well. Afterward I’d like to go visit Carl.”

“An engagement celebration?” she asked. “What if I’d said no?”

“I had all night to convince you. I figured you’d say yes eventually, if only to get me to leave you in peace.”

He moved to return her to the recliner but she clung tighter. “Take me to the kitchen, please.”

Confusion slid across his face but he obeyed and carried her through the living room. He opened the door to the kitchen with his hip. “Where now, sweetheart? You want to inspect the pantry, or have a snack?”

Maxine grinned. “You’re getting warmer. Put me down on the island.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A flurry of kisses landed on her lips and neck as he lowered her. Maxine was reminded of their first kiss, pleasure at how far they’d come in the past months filling her soul. She’d taught Ryan about the importance of family. He had taught her about embracing her passion for life, in and out of the bedroom. She reached under his shirt and slipped her uninjured hand up the solid muscles of his torso, dragging her fingertips over the firm ridges of his abdomen while she kissed along his jawline hungrily.

“Hmmm, sweetheart. I like what you’re doing, but you’ve got a cast and—”

“I don’t want you to make love to my elbow, Ryan.” She rubbed her palm briefly over the erection swelling behind his jeans. Then she caught his hand in hers and dropped it on her thigh, inching up the fabric of her skirt until his fingers touched bare skin.