Page 146 of Drive
Jacques shifted his gaze back to Rainey. “Well, it’s really more of a surprise for youandHoli.”
A pretty crease formed between her brows, but her smile didn’t waver. “Oh? Something for thehouse?”
“Hmm,” he hedged, steering her around the security checkpoint so they’d be facing Ray and his parents when they emerged. “…notexactly.”
Ray, Gloria, and Cliff stepped into view, but Rainey was looking up at Jacques with a curiousgaze.
“What do you mean?” sheasked.
Jacques nodded in Ray’s direction. “Look,baby.”
Rainey faced forward, and she jumped and shrieked at the same moment. “Oh, my God!” Her hands shot to her mouth. She spoke through her now trembling fingers. “Oh, my God, you’rehere.”
Her eyes bounced from Ray to Gloria and Cliff standing behind him. Then looked up at Jacques. “Wha— How? How did you dothis?”
Grinning, Jacques nodded to her little brother. “He reached out while I was inL.A.”
Rainey looked back at the boy, her eyes already welling. She took a step closer to him and lowered her shakinghands.
“You did?” she asked, her voice barely above awhisper.
Clearly uncomfortable with so much attention, Ray ducked his chin and nodded, but a shy smile tugged at the corners of hismouth.
Gloria stepped closer and put a hand on her son’s shoulder. “And Dylan called me. Both to make amends and to ask for our help,” she said. Then a funny, almost humble expression passed over her glamorous features. “Maybe we could start over. Hi, I’m Gloria.” She extended her hand, and Rainey clasped it in both ofhers.
“Hi, Gloria. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Rainey,” Rainey gushed, struggling to keep the emotion in her voice incheck.
“This is my husband Cliff.” Cliff gave a friendly nod, and then Gloria nudged Ray forward. “And this is your brother,Ray.”
Rainey released Gloria’s hand and stepped up to Ray. She extended her hand and dropped it just as quickly. “Ray, can I give you ahug?”
The ten-year-old gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Sure,” he said, making all four adults laugh and dispelling some of the nervous energy they surely allfelt.
Rainey caught him in hug, and Jacques sighed in relief when he watched the boy tighten his arms aroundher.
“Thanks for the PEZ,” he said, untangling himself from herarms.
“Y-you’re welcome,” Rainey stammered, clearlyovercome.
“Guess what?” Rayasked.
Rainey quickly brushed tears from her eyes. “What?”
Ray’s face betrayed a look of bewilderment at her unchecked emotion, but he gave a visible shake of his head as though chalking it up to the unknowable. “I got a dog — a Lab — for my birthday. I named her Nobel Prize because one day I hope to win a Nobel Prize in science — either in chemistry or physics, I don’t know yet,” he digressed. “But I call her Belle forshort.”
Rainey gave a startled laugh at Ray’s speech, but at least her eyes had dried. It was then that Jacques noticed Kate, Kara, and Des slipping quietly passed other bystanders and heading for the escalators. Wordlessly, Kate caught his eye and held up his Gibson at the same time holding a finger of her free hand over her mouth before waving himoff.
Jacques smiled at her and the rest of his bandmates, understanding perfectly that they weren’t about to intrude on this long overdue familyreunion.
Later, Jacques would have to tease her mercilessly about being the most big-hearted person heknew.
“I want to hear all about Belle,” Rainey said,glowing.
She was actually radiant, and Jacques wanted to touch a part of that glow. So, he stepped closer and slipped his hand aroundhers.
Rainey glanced up at him with love and questions in her eyes. “Are we going to the house so they can meet Holi? Are they staying with us?” Then she turned back to the Lopez-Craines. “How long can youstay?”
It was Cliff who answered. “We’re staying until Sunday, and we’ve got a room at the Hilton Garden Inn, which…” He gave Jacques a questioning look. “…is not far,correct?”
