Winter Wayhaught

Chapter 18

Wynonna had organised a small dinner party. Nothing fancy, a chance for Nicole to meet her colourful friends. Waverly was looking forward to spending an evening with her sister. Always entertaining, Wynonna could hold an audience for hours, especially after a few glasses of wine.

Most of the guests were there by the time they arrived. Nicole was nervous, not wanting to give a bad impression in front of strangers, resigning herself to the fact her social awkwardness would rear its ugly head at some stage during the evening. Doc was busy in the kitchen preparing the first course, preferring to take on the task of cooking rather than leave it to Wynonna. The one and only time he had let her take charge in the kitchen they had had to order a takeaway, Wynonna too engrossed in conversation and wine to remember to put the main course in the oven.

Nicole stood behind Waverly in the lounge, a glass of sparkling water in her hand having nominated herself the driver for the evening. Waverly wanted to get a cab, Nicole knowing she was better sober when dealing with new people. Alice had been given permission to come down and say hello. On no account was she to beg Nicole to read her a story.

Wynonna scowled when she saw a book in her hand. "What did mummy say? Nicole will read you a story at the book club on Saturday."

"But, I like this one."

"I don't mind reading a story."

"So much for parenting. One story, OK. One story. Auntie Nicole is here for mummy tonight."

Alice took Nicole's hand, Nicole managing to spill her drink down her leg in the process, eliciting laughter from those who saw. Waverly went to the kitchen to find paper towels, wiping Nicole's damp thigh while she read, her ability to focus on the words diminishing with each stroke. Story over, Alice hugged Nicole, sticking her tongue out at the guests who had laughed at her favourite person in the world.

"Alice! That's rude. Bed now, or mummy will be cross."

Waverly opened her arms. "Don't I get a hug?"

"If you read me."

"So like her mother," Wynonna said. "If you go to bed, she might come and read to you."

The child headed for the stairs, looking back at Nicole, a look that said she was completely and utterly in love with her. Nicole blew her a kiss.

Waverly handed Nicole her drink. "Kind of jealous she loves you more."

"Everyone loves the gold power ranger."

"Glad Doc's in charge of cooking. Not Wynonna's super power. Or cleaning, or budgeting, or parenting. She can mix a wicked martini."

Doc called from the kitchen to say the first course was about to be served. Guests took their places, Wynonna making sure glasses were topped up. A woman sitting next to Nicole introduced herself.

"Mercedes, Wynonna's oldest friend. You're Nicole right?"

Nicole held out her hand. "Nicole Haught. Bookstore in town."

"Love that place."

"There's a café in the basement."

"Must pop in while I'm here. Wynonna's putting me up for a few days."

"What do you do?"

"Run my own property company. I must say you're extremely good looking."

"I'm with Alice. Waverly. I'm with Waverly. Just Waverly. Not Alice. We're dating."

"Relax. Merely an observation, not an overture. Unless..."

Nicole felt a hand on her thigh, her body reacting the only way it knew how. She managed to knock over a full glass of water on the table, her chair landing on its back on the floor. Waverly began mopping the spillage with her napkin, Doc retrieving more paper towels from the kitchen.