“Ma’am, with all due respect, how do you know Rascal allegedly fathered the puppies?”
Anger snapped in her hazel eyes. “It’s fairly obvious, considering Anastasia is a purebred black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The male she was tied with is papered and has the same coloring. All five of the puppies are as golden-white as Rascal.”
Gabe did not need his uptight, recluse of a neighbor to add to his stressful day. This had already gone down as another bad day in the life of Gabe Wesson. His ex-wife, MaryEllen, had upset his kids again by making a FaceTime call with them while he was still at work. She’d wanted to show them how cute their little brother was taking his first steps. All it had done was make Shane angry and Lindsey clingy and insecure. If he didn’t need the nanny so desperately, he would’ve fired her on the spot for allowing the call to go through. Especially when Gabe had made it clear there should be no communication with MaryEllen unless he was present.
He glanced up at his neighbor and thought about her accusations against him. She was clearly laying culpability at his feet. He could offer to reimburse her for the stud fee, but then he’d be on the hook for other expenses. And if she was seeking monetary restitution, she might not stop at the reimbursement. His years practicing as an attorney had made him skeptical of people’s motives. Everyone was always looking for a way to make an easy buck.
“I’m afraid the puppies simply looking like my dog is only circumstantial evidence, Ms. Jensen. Until you have DNA prove that Rascal is the father, then there is nothing more I can do.”
The look in her eyes made him feel like a snake of a lawyer, but he didn’t know this woman from Adam. Actually, no one really knew this woman. She’d moved to Snow Valley in November to housesit for Gabe’s long-time neighbor, Juliet Williams and kept to herself. Granted, Gabe hadn’t made any efforts to befriend her or welcome her to the neighborhood, so he had no idea what her occupation was. For all he knew she was a person who earned money by making erroneous charges against people.
“Fine,” she said tersely. “I’ll talk with the vet to see what needs to be done to have Rascal tested.”
“You do that.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But next time you plan to sling out erroneous accusations, please make sure to call on me at a decent hour.”
Gabe regretted the harsh words the second he said them. He could almost swear the woman flinched as if he’d struck her. The color drained from her face, leaving her naturally olive skin tone a pasty white. Her eyes grew bright with moisture.
Nice, Wesson. You just made a girl cry.
Before he could apologize for being a jerk, she spun around and pulled open the door. Icy air swirled around him and he could feel his damp hair start to freeze. She hesitated, like she might say something else, but then pulled the door closed
“Daddy?” Lindsey said from behind him. “Why were you so mean to that lady?”
Gabe hung his head. He was failing at just about everything these days. “Because…” What excuse could he offer? Turning toward his six-year-old daughter, Gabe crouched down in front of her. “You’re right. Daddy was mean, and now I need to apologize.”
“Did Rascal do something naughty again?”
Yeah, the rascal had done something very naughty. However, it was way too late at night to get into a discussion about the dog’s new role as a father to five puppies with his inquisitive daughter.
Running a hand over his face, he sighed heavily. Why on earth had Gabe agreed to let Shane adopt the dog from Ian Davies? The vet had named the abandoned dog Rascal for a reason. But, Shane had fallen in love with the dog and the counselor thought it would help Shane heal from the hurt his mother’s desertion had caused him.
“Don’t worry about Rascal. The new collar he wears will keep him from getting into anymore trouble.” He scooped Lindsey into his arms as he stood up. “Now it’s bedtime for a certain little princess.”
Lindsey circled her arms around his neck, and he breathed in her strawberry scented hair as she snuggled in close. He loved his children so much and couldn’t understand how their mother could’ve abandoned them.
“Can I come with you when you say sorry to the lady?” Lindsey asked as he carried her up to her bedroom. “I want to see the puppies.”
Stifling a groan, Gabe delayed answering her right away. He knew that both his kids would beg him for a puppy the minute they saw them. He wasn’t even sure he’d be able to resist. And he and his children were all still grieving the loss of the baby boy MaryEllen had denied them all by leaving before the baby was born.
“We’ll see, but for now you need to go to sleep.” Gabe tucked Lindsey back into her bed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, Lindsey Lou-Lou.”
She giggled. “That’s not my name, Daddy.”
“I know, sweet pea.” Gabe smoothed her hair with his fingers, marveling it was no longer tangled and snarled by the end of the day. Those months following MaryEllen’s absence had Lindsey looking like a street urchin until Gabe had watched enough YouTube videos to help him with some basic hairstyles for little girls. “Now go to sleep.”
Her eyes were already closed, and within a few minutes Gabe knew she was asleep. If only he could fall asleep so quickly. Careful not to awaken her, he eased up off the bed and exited her bedroom.
Shane’s room was across the hall, and Gabe cracked the door open a little further to check on his son. The ten-year-old was fast asleep with his dog sleeping on the floor next to him. One of Rascal’s eyelids slowly lifted, and he stared at Gabe with a completely innocent look.
“Yeah, I know what you’ve been up to, buddy,” he whispered to the dog. “You should’ve stuck to knocking over the trash.”
Rascal closed his eye and readjusted himself. The canine had a pretty good life. And despite the mischief he’d gotten into with some of the other surrounding houses, Gabe was glad Shane had bonded with the dog. Not only had the kid lost his mother and his baby brother last year, he’d also lost his best friend, Kyden, when he’d moved to Billings with his mother and her new husband.
Exhausted, Gabe backed away and headed back downstairs instead of to his bedroom. His headache was back, and he needed to lock up and turn off the television Lindsey had turned on while Gabe was showering.
After taking some over-the-counter pain reliever, he turned off the television, locked the door and then moved next to the window to get a glimpse of Mrs. William’s house, now occupied by Piper Jensen. A soft light lit up the only part of the house visible from this viewpoint. He wondered if she were still awake and whether or not she’d accept an apology.
A shadow passed in front of her blinds and immediately the wounded look in her eyes flashed in his mind when he’d spoken so harshly to her. Guilt pricked his conscience when he thought about his rude behavior. Despite what he’d said, he would make restitution for Rascal’s misconduct.
Rolling his shoulders back, he stepped away from the window and made his way to his bedroom. He’d always been so even tempered, but MaryEllen’s betrayal had taken its toll on him this past year.
Although he tried not to go there, thoughts about MaryEllen crowded his mind. He still recalled the day she’d told him she was pregnant. It hadn’t even occurred to him that she’d gotten that way by cheating on him. He’d honestly believed he was one of the slim percentages of men where the procedure he’d had done to prevent having any more children had reversed.
The kids were so excited they were getting a baby brother or sister and Gabe was happy about adding another child to their little family, but MaryEllen was furious with him and vowed this was absolutely the last time.
She’d been so hostile that Gabe had gone to the doctor to see about getting the procedure done a second time to appease her. However, the routine tests Dr. Taggart had ordered prior to the simple operation revealed he didn’t need to have the second surgery because it hadn’t been reversed.
MaryEllen came clean that day, revealing she’d been
having an affair with an old flame she’d reconnected with on social media. She moved out the next week, devastating their children. She obviously didn’t want Gabe anymore, but she hadn’t wanted the kids either and had granted Gabe full custody.
Feeling much older than his thirty-four years, Gabe brushed his teeth and climbed into bed. He hated sleeping alone. But since he wasn’t the kind of guy to sleep around and he never planned to marry again, he figured it was time he got used to the sleeping arrangement.
Morning came too soon. The kids were grumpy and didn’t want their usual breakfast of waffles and strawberry milk. They ended up barely getting to school on time, making Gabe late for an important meeting. His law partner was already in the meeting when he’d slipped in. After that, it seemed like Gabe was playing catch-up all day long.
By the time he got home, he had another headache. He really hoped his children were in a better mood than they’d been in this morning.
“Hey, Doreen, how are the kids doing?” Gabe asked when he walked in the door and found his nanny sitting on the couch, glued to her phone.
“Oh, hey, Mr. Wesson.” She put her phone down and stood up. “They’re doing great. Shane’s homework is all done and Lindsey wanted to wait and read with you.”
“Thank you.” He loosened his tie, expecting the kids to greet him like they usually did. “It’s awfully quiet. Where are they?”
She grinned. “Lindsey was begging me to take her next door to see the new puppies so I walked them over there a few minutes ago. Ms. Jensen is super nice and when the kids didn’t want to leave, she said they could stay there until you got home.”
Gabe stared at his nanny in disbelief. “You left my kids with a woman I don’t know?”
The girl’s face went ashen. “B-b-b-but Lindsey said Ms. Jensen came over last night to tell you about the puppies. She said you were planning on going over there when you got home from work.”
Head throbbing, Gabe clenched his back teeth together so he didn’t yell at the girl. It wasn’t her fault, not really. He watched her eyes fill with tears. Awesome. He’d made two girls cry in less than twenty-four hours.
“Do you want me to go get them?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“It’s okay, Doreen. I was just surprised. I met Ms. Jensen for the first time when she came over last night and introduced herself. But Lindsey was right. I do need to talk to her again.” He just hadn’t planned on talking to her until his kids were asleep. Even though his daughter was getting a horse for her birthday in April, she would beg him for a puppy. “You can go on home and I’ll run over and get them.”
The girl sniffed. “I’m really sorry, Mr. Wesson. Next time should I text you if something like this comes up again?”
He forced his mouth into a smile. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Sniffing again, Doreen blinked away the moisture and turned to get her coat and backpack. Gabe walked her to the door and confirmed she’d pick the kids up tomorrow. He half expected her to quit on him, but she just nodded her head yes and waved goodbye.
Doreen, who was barely out of high school, was the best he could do. He’d preferred his last nanny, who was more like a grandmother to the kids and always prepared the most delicious meals. Sadly, she’d been diagnosed with heart palpitations and had to get a pacemaker. The doctor had advised her to take it easy, so she’d quit the first of December.
Gabe trudged back to the hall closet to get his dress coat. He buttoned it up as he stepped inside the frigid garage. He was too tired to walk the short distance and his truck would still be warm from the drive home. Plus, he would probably end up taking his kids into town to grab a cheeseburger.
Pulling out of his driveway, he glanced to the west and noted the position of the setting sun. It would soon disappear into the horizon, taking with it what little warmth it provided. While winter in Snow Valley was breathtakingly beautiful, Gabe wasn’t sure he liked this much snow. He doubted they’d see the grass until late April.
Parking in Ms. Jensen’s driveway, he drew in a deep breath and mentally prepared for the meeting. He wasn’t sure what her reception would be to him, but at least she’d been kind to his children.
Leaving the engine idling, he climbed out and almost slipped on a patch of ice. Treading more carefully, he finally made it to the porch. After ringing the doorbell, he pulled the collar of his coat together as he waited for her to answer the front door. Several seconds passed by, and he wondered if she was delaying on purpose. He pushed the doorbell again and then knocked loudly. A moment later, Ms. Jensen opened the door.
“Sorry that took so long. I had to get the cookies out of the oven.” She stepped back and motioned for Gabe to enter.
He was greeted by warm air scented with vanilla and chocolate. His empty stomach growled, and he wondered if homemade cookies could count as dinner tonight. Gabe hated cooking, but unless he hired another nanny like Mrs. Clark who not only watched his children, but also was a fantastic cook, he was stuck doing the job himself. Doreen made a mean grilled cheese sandwich, but that was the extent of her culinary gifts.
He could hear his kids laughing, and it warmed Gabe’s heart even more. “I’m sorry the kids got dumped on you like that.”
“I don’t mind. Your children are very sweet.”
While she smiled when she said this, her eyes narrowed a fraction, and Gabe got the message she hadn’t expected that because of his rude behavior. “Unlike their father?” he said dryly.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Not out loud.”
The corner of her mouth twitched, and she didn’t deny it. Gabe fought back a smile of his own. He might as well get this over with.
“Ms. Jensen, I want to apologize for being so rude to you last night. I know it doesn’t excuse my behavior, but I’d had a very trying day yesterday, not to mention a killer headache.”
Hazel eyes encased by thick, dark lashes studied him, a hint of a smile playing on her full lips. He hadn’t really noticed last night, but his neighbor was pretty. Gabe felt a tiny prick of awareness he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He ignored it and got down to business.
“Anyway, I’d like to make restitution for the puppies.”
Her eyes widened and she moistened her lips, leaving them pink and glossy. Gabe’s awareness spiked again, making him wish he’d sent Doreen to get the kids after all.
“Thank you, Mr. Wesson, but I’ve thought about what you said last night, and I agree we need to make sure Rascal is the father.”
“Daddy!” Lindsey cried out. “Come see the puppies. They are so, so cute.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Gabe mumbled under his breath.
One of Ms. Jensen’s eyebrows lifted up. “You don’t like puppies?”
Gabe sighed deeply. “Even I’m not big enough of a jerk to not like puppies, Ms. Jensen.”
“Please call me Piper.” She grinned. “And I’m glad to hear that since your children have decided they want one.”
He gave her a pointed look. “Exactly.”
She laughed softly, and Gabe felt his defenses slide a little. “So do I get to meet Rascal’s posterity?”
“Don’t you mean his alleged posterity?”
“Ouch.” He shook his head. “I guess I deserved that.”
The smirk on her face indicated she agreed with him. “I take it you’re an attorney?”
“Yes. And usually I’m a pretty nice guy.” He cringed when he thought about how rude he’d been. “I really am sorry.”
“Apology accepted, Mr. Wesson.”
“It’s Gabe.” He held out his hand. “Can we start over?”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed her features as she glanced down at his hand. “Of course,” she finally said, placing her palm against his.
The warmth of her skin made his pulse kick up a notch. Disturbed, he released his grip and took a step backward. “Thank you.” He nodded in the direction of where his children sat huddled around a b
oxed in area. “I guess I better get over there before they get any more attached.”
He didn’t wait for a response and quickly walked away. Feeling attracted to his neighbor was one thing. Acting on that attraction was out of the question. Gabe had vowed he would never marry again, which meant he didn’t date.
“Aren’t they so cute!” Lindsey said, reaching up and taking his hand. “We can’t touch them yet because Miss Piper said they’re too little right now.”
Gabe hoped by the time the puppies were ready to be adopted, his daughter would be so enamored with her new horse that she’d forget all about the puppies. He glanced down and the golden little bodies snuggled in next to their mother. He didn’t need Ian Davies to perform a test. It was quite obvious Rascal was the father.
“Hey, Dad,” Shane said. “They look like Rascal, huh?”
“They do, son.” He glanced at Piper. “I don’t think Ian needs to come by.”
“All right.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “But I won’t hold you accountable. I know better than to let Anastasia out of my sight when it’s her, um, time.”
“What’s her time mean?” Lindsey asked, wrinkling her little nose. His daughter was far too precocious and inquisitive for her age. She hadn’t let up about MaryEllen taking their baby brother away until Gabe explained that he wasn’t Baby Wesley’s father. Thankfully, Lindsey hadn’t asked for clarification. But she would one day, and Gabe didn’t look forward to that.
Piper got down on her knees next to Lindsey. “It just means that Anastasia was ready to be a mother.”
Gabe held his breath, hoping that answer would satisfy his daughter for now. She became distracted when one of the smaller puppies started whimpering as it was pushed out of the way by its bigger sibling.
Lindsey started to reach out, but Piper gently stopped her. “Remember we can’t touch them yet, sweetie.”
“I forgot.” Lindsey glanced up at Piper. “How old do they have to be again?”
“Three weeks,” Shane answered. “She already told you that.”
Destiny Came Knocking: A Snow Valley Romance Page 2