THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,70
be close to the Bennett family. When he had to work, Kennedy would stay at our house. It was so much fun, and we showed her what it was like to be a real family.”
He could believe that. In a way Rae’jean and Ryan, Sean and Liz, along with Evan’s big family, had shown him what a real family was about, too. His parents had fallen short in that department. In fact, he never recalled them doing much together. Most of the time, his father demanded his mother act the perfect hostess for his numerous business parties and she loved the role. There hadn’t been too much room for him.
Deep down, Parker knew his parents loved him, but for the longest time, he’d thought the only reason they’d had him was to carry on the Stanhope name. For years, his mother had been adamant that he should settle down with the “right” girl and produce pedigree grandkids. But that was then, thank goodness. Now she just wanted him to settle down and was no longer fixated on who he married. It would not have done her any good anyway. But he was glad she now saw things a lot differently these days.
Of course, she still wanted grandkids. He’d had to remind her more than once that marriage and a family were the last things on his mind right now. His medical goals topped the list.
He couldn’t help chuckling when she’d tell him that, in that aspect, he was just like his father. His old man hadn’t been anxious to start a family, either. He’d been too busy building his family’s technology empire.
“You’re lucky, you know.”
She arched a brow. “Lucky?”
“Yes. I got to know the Bennett family through Rae’jean. Even before meeting you, I knew how close all of you are. I think that’s great.”
She nodded. “What about you? Any cousins?”
He shook his head. “Only my Uncle Grady’s kids. He’s Mom’s only brother and there is a ten-year difference in their ages. When I was growing up, I considered him as an older brother instead of an uncle.”
This was getting a little too intimate for his liking. Changing the subject, he said, “I understand the hospital is accepting volunteers to pass out gifts to the kids in Pediatrics for Christmas, and that you’re in charge of it on our floor.”
She nodded. “I’m collecting funds for that, yes.”
“Then I’d like to donate.”
“Thanks. Ravene and I, and a couple of the other nurses, will go shopping next weekend. This is my second year doing it and it’s something I wish I’d started earlier. Seeing the kids’ happy faces, especially at this time of the year, makes it all worthwhile.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a lot like Rae’jean? She volunteers at her hospital during the holidays, making sure all the kids in Pediatrics have a special Christmas.”
The smile that spread across Sebrina’s lips was joyful as well as seductive, and he felt his body warming to it…like it needed any further heat. Desire had definitely taken hold of his senses most of the evening. And before he went to bed that night, he would have to think seriously about if being ‘just friends’ with Sebrina was a good idea. Because his need for her hadn’t lessened any. If anything, the chemistry between them was stronger than ever.
“I’m told that all the time,” she said, grinning. “Although we look nothing alike, we think alike. Mom says it’s her fault. Rae’jean was away at college and my grandmother was supposed to call and let her know when Mom delivered, but she didn’t. I think Nana was still ashamed that Mom got pregnant her first year in college and had to come back home. But Rae’jean managed to get home the day after I was born. Mom said that the first time Rae’jean held me, she cried all over me and that’s why we think alike.”
“I could picture Rae’jean doing that, she’s a softy. It bothers her deeply whenever she loses a patient.”
Sebrina nodded. “Now when Monica was born, it was a different story. Rae’jean knew better than to count on my grandmother’s call. She arrived days before Mom went into labor, and she was there in the delivery room when Monica arrived.” She let out a small laugh. “I heard Rae’jean fainted.”
Parker laughed. “Seriously? She fainted?”
“Yes, and she was a medical student at the time.” Sebrina was laughing in earnest now.