“We’ll get them on the way out. Oh, you left your coat here. It’s in the hall closet. Carrie, get the stuff you brought back for your grandparents.”

Carrie ran upstairs and Raven turned to him. “I didn’t leave my coat here.” She gave him a raised brow. “Maybe one of your other girlfriends did.”

“I know. I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable. I bought you one.”

“You did what? I don’t need a coat. I have a parka thing I got when I agreed to go snowboarding a few years back.”

“Yes, you do. Your parka thing is too heavy and not pretty for events like this. Plus that sweater you have on is lovely, but not warm enough.”

“It’s not fur, is it? Because I don’t wear fur.”

He fought a smile, turning to pull the coat from the closet. He was charming. Far too charming for her peace of mind because she had trouble saying no to the man. This was nothing she’d encountered before. She loved saying no. It was a favorite. But not with this guy.

“Not fur. Cashmere.”

It was a simple but beautiful black coat, and when she put it on, she nearly moaned. He’d clearly thought about what she’d like and what would look good on her. Another reason she was helpless against him. He gave presents, yes, but he put effort into everything he surprised her with. The material was soft and very warm, the hem had movement—she thought they called it a swing coat. Daisy would know that sort of thing.

“Thank you. It’s gorgeous.”

“Any time. I don’t like to see you shiver.”

“I usually go south or west in the late fall and winter. I hate the heat, but I really love to be somewhere balmy and sunny when it’s cold here.”

“We’ll go to Maui soon.”

“Dude. You spoil me. The coat is plenty.”

He kissed her temple. “It’s my job to spoil you. Anyway, you like to travel and I like the idea of you in a bikini. That’s a win/win for me. Now, come on. Time to have dinner at the Warner household.”

She sucked in a breath and staved off the panic. “If you say so.”

She had an idea the Warner house would be pretty swank. But what greeted her when they got to the end of the drive was of course swank, but also understated and elegant. Sort of a Cape Cod, maybe? She didn’t really know what the real name for it was, but this seemed to be a more historic part of Seattle so several in this style had dotted their way here, though other big, clearly newer modern homes had been erected in the place of the older house that came with the lot.

The front of the house had a smallish yard, but it was well manicured with big trees dotting the area.

Other cars were already there. Plenty of BMWs and Mercedes. She saw the truck though, but pressed her lips together hard to keep from commenting.

“Uncle Toby is here already.” Carrie, who insisted on riding in the back rather than Raven, who’d wanted to. She’d said Raven was her dad’s girlfriend and could ride in the front. Jonah had sealed it when he put an arm around Raven’s waist and opened the door for his daughter to slide into the back. Raven had given him a look but he smiled and kissed her nose.

Carrie had chattered on as they’d made their way the short distance to the neighborhood where Jonah’s parents lived. Raven had asked many questions and Carrie had answered with the openness only kids who were as happy and well loved as this one had. She appeared to be thrilled with the program, with the choice of college she’d made, with Italy and the other parts of Europe she’d seen. She was well spoken, intelligent and gracious.

Jonah had done a good job with her.

“Toby is an architect. His is the truck. He’s got a really nice car too, but he drives this one here to agitate my grandmother.” Carrie shook her head, grinning as they headed for the front door.

“I think I’m going to like Toby,” she muttered, and Jonah barked a laugh.

“You will. Everyone does.”

Jonah carried flowers for his mother and grandmother, Carrie helped Raven, holding the apple cranberry tart, and Raven had the plate with the cherry things. She was so nervous she was afraid she’d break the plate she held on so tightly to. So she concentrated on not squeezing so tight and that seemed to make things a tiny bit better.

An older man who was so clearly Jonah’s father answered, his gaze going straight to Carrie. “Hello, sweetheart.”

“Grandfather.” Carrie went to him, giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

“Glad you’re here. Come in, come in.” He looked to Jonah and then Raven. “You’re Raven.” He kept an arm around Carrie, but held a free hand to Raven. “I’m John Warner, Jonah’s father. Welcome.”

He was much less frosty than his wife, Raven gave him that. She smiled and shook his hand.

Jonah steered her into the house. The outside may have been understated, but the inside was punctuated by the wall of glass overlooking Lake Washington. Views to the Eastside were clear, even on a cloudy day. There was a dock with a boat and the back lawn sloped down to the water with little clusters of tables and chairs.

“Wow.”

John smiled at her again. “We looked at houses for six months. Liesl is very particular, and to top it off, she was pregnant with Jonah so the hormones and the nesting thing only accentuated that. Must have seen three dozen homes. But when we walked in and stood here, looking out at that view, she simply turned to me and said, ‘This is the one, John.’ And that was it. We’ve lived here ever since. Raised five boys and it’s still standing, so that’s a testament to the architecture of the late twenties when it was originally built.”

“For heaven’s sake! Don’t just leave them standing in the hallway. They still have coats on and are holding things.”

“This is my mother, Beth. Mom, this is Jonah’s lady friend, Raven.” John indicated Raven, and the older woman, who was maybe five feet tall, gave her an imperious look from head to toe.

“I see where Jonah gets it,” Raven said.

Whoops, starting early on the offensive stuff. Go me.

Raven held her hand out, hoping to get past the statement. Beth took it and shook.

“Gets what?”

Jonah didn’t say a single thing, the jerk.

Oh well, in for a penny. She could have said good looks, but he didn’t much resemble his grandmother at all.

“The imperious-look thing. He does it too.”

John tried not to laugh, and barely succeeded. His eyes lit with amusement and Carrie didn’t bother hiding it; she laughed full out.

“He really does.”

Beth narrowed her eyes long enough that Raven started to apologize, and then longer so she didn’t because what the hell, it wasn’t that offensive after all.

Instead Beth nodded. “He does. I got it from my mother. It’s a good tool when you’re a bigshot like he is. Me? It keeps everyone on their toes because they’re scared of me. What is it you’ve got in your hands?”

“Walnut cherry bars. Oh, and an apple cranberry tart.”

“Bring them through to the kitchen. John, get the flowers. Jonah, for goodness’ sake, get their coats.”

The kitchen was nice, but it was also clear actual cooking happened there. Smelled good too.

Liesl came out and smiled at the sight of her granddaughter. “Hello, darling.”

Carrie hugged her. “Hey, Grandmother.”

Still smiling, Liesl looked to Raven. “Hello, Raven. I’m pleased you were able to come today.”

It was a genuine statement. Liesl was cool, like pale blue, and white carpets. But she clearly loved her family, and that made her all right in Raven’s book.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“Oh, you brought dessert.” She cast an eye at the food, but must have found it acceptable. “We have pies and things, but thank you.”

Also, she had very few filters. Raven knew it was sort of rude, but she suffered the same problem, and so on some levels she wasn’t bothered, though she knew it was sort of a slap. But it was pretty halfhearted, so she must have liked Raven well enough or there’d have been more said.