by Sarah Hegger
“I know that.” India’s voice from the bedroom she shared with Jacob pulled Kelly that way. She had left India in the kitchen with Dot.
The door was ajar, and India sat on the end of the bed with her phone pressed to her ear.
“Yes,” India said to her caller. She dropped her head and picked at the seam of her jeans. “I’m not sure what to believe.”
Kelly was about to leave again, but something about the scene stopped her.
Not talking much, India was clearly listening to whoever was on the other side and nodding. There was a strange defeated air hanging over India’s slumped shoulders and bowed head.
“I know you are,” India said. “But you never mean it.”
Kelly’s hackles came up. Please God, don’t let that be Piers on the phone. But the idea once in her brain refused to go away, so she pushed the bedroom door open.
“Kelly.” India started and paled.
“Hey. I heard you in here.”
“I’m on the phone.” India stood with the phone still pressed to her ear.
Kelly motioned her to continue. “I’ll see you in the kitchen.”
Feeling like a shit, she stopped out of sight from the bedroom and listened.
“I’ve got to go,” India said. There was a long silence. “I will.” And finally. “I do too.”
Kelly hurried to the kitchen before India caught her snooping. She wanted to ask her sister who was on the phone, but there didn’t seem to be a way to do that without invading India’s privacy.
Besides which, it was only a feeling she had to go on. It could have been anyone on the line. There really was no reason to demand an explanation from a grown woman.
Smelling of soap and dressed in sweats and a tight T-shirt, Gabe sauntered into the kitchen. “You beat me to it.”
“I’m not as pretty as you.” Kelly jabbed him in the arm. “I don’t need to spend so much time admiring myself in the mirror.”
Dot snorted a laugh. “Don’t tell him that. Those boys are vain enough as it is.”
“Well, Luke is.” Gabe got a bottle of white wine from the fridge and opened it. He poured his mother a glass and put it beside her.
“Thanks.” Dot glanced up from her stove. “Speaking of Luke, have you heard from him lately.”
“Me?” Gabe held up the wine bottle, offering Kelly a glass. “Nope. Not that Luke contacts me all that often.”
Kelly nodded yes to a glass of wine. “He lives in New York, right?”
“Yup. Singlehandedly moving the wheels of commerce forward one day at a time.” Gabe snorted. “All pretty suits and handmade shoes.”
Dot smacked him with a wooden spoon on the forearm. “Don’t be like that. Luke works very hard.”
“At being a dick,” Gabe said it so softly Dot didn’t catch it.
She still glared at him. “I do not want to hear what you said.”
Gabe grinned at her and poured Kelly’s wine.
“Hi.” India wandered into the kitchen.
Gabe offered her a glass of wine. “Everything okay?”
“Oh, yes.” India flushed. “ Jacob was tired from all the baking, so I put him to bed early.” She shook her head to the glass of wine. “And then I had to call a friend. An old friend. I haven’t spoken to her in a while.”
“That’s nice.” Dot smiled at her. “Can you put a salad together for me?”
“Sure.” India leaped for the fridge.
Behind her back Gabe raised his brow in question.
Kelly shrugged, because she really had no idea what was going on.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to speak to you,” Gabe said to India. “The other day you and Kelly were talking about you working in the coffee shop?”
“Yes?” India fussed with the salad bowl before settling it in the center of the table. She gave Kelly a guilty glance. “It didn’t work out.”
“I know the coffee shop didn’t suit you.” Gabe shrugged. “But if it might work better for you, Cara could do with some administrative support at the veterinary hospital.”
India blinked at him and flushed. “Thank you, I’ll think about it.”
“That could be great.” Kelly liked the idea. India needed to establish herself as separate from Piers. She needed to see there was life after Piers, and that she could and would stand on her own feet. “And Cara is really nice.”
India ducked her head. “I’m not sure what…I don’t think I can make plans yet.”
Kelly bit her tongue. Her hesitation could have something to do with India needing time to heal, but her gut told her it was more than that. The veterinarian office was not the same as working in the coffee shop.
India’s evasiveness had her skin crawling. “You do that,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be permanent.”
“Let’s eat.” Dot brought a cast-iron pot to the table. “This is one of Gabe’s favorites.”
He leaned forward and sniffed. “Tell me that’s what I think it is, Ma.”
“Beef and ale stew.” Dot nodded and grinned. “It’s been slow cooking for most of the day.”
“With dumplings?” Gabe eyed his mother.
Dot rolled her eyes. “Is there any other way to eat beef and ale stew?”
It smelled like heaven, and Kelly put her plate up for a helping.
“I invited Ben and Poppy and the kids for dinner, but they were all up at the cabin today,” Dot said.
“How’s the renovation going?” India seemed over eager to turn the conversation away from her.
And now Kelly was being way too suspicious.
“It’s going really well,” Dot said. “They’re expecting to move in soon.”
“Claire and Finn must be glad about that too,” Gabe said.
“Claire would never say anything.” Dot wrinkled her nose “But she and Finn are a new thing, and the house is all full up.”
“I’ll drive up to the cabin tomorrow and see what he needs me to do,” Gabe said. “I’m not the handiest guy, but I can carry wood and bricks around, and I take instruction.”
Dot nodded. “Ben would appreciate that. He doesn’t always ask for help when he needs it.”
“That’s an understatement.” Gabe snorted.
Kelly sent him a hard look, because that sounded like someone else she knew.
Ducking his head, he had the grace to blush.
After dinner, she and Gabe cleared the table and dealt with the dishes.
India disappeared to check on Jacob, and Dot muttered something about Netflix and The Great British Baking Show as she disappeared into her room.
“Everything okay with India?’ Gabe glanced up from racking dinner plates in the dishwasher.
Kelly didn’t have to be evasive with him. “I’m not sure. She was on a call earlier, when I came out the shower. I can’t tell you why, but I get the feeling Piers was on the other side.”
“No way.” Gabe stood and bristled. “Why would she even speak to him?”
“I can’t say for sure that it was him.” Kelly shrugged, but the worry persisted. “But why would she look so guilty if it was anyone else?”
Gabe cocked his head. “Could she be seeing someone?”
“India?” The idea had never occurred to her.
“Look, it’s unlikely with what she’s been through.” Gabe dried his hands on a tea towel. “But maybe she needs the affirmation or finds the attention distracting.”
She chewed the idea over. “I don’t think so, but it’s not impossible. She’s always been beautiful, and men are drawn to her.”
“Hmm.” Gabe leaned his hips against the counter and folded his arms.
That did wonderful things for his biceps and shoulders. The atmosphere in the kitchen did one of those shifts that happened all the time when Gabe was around.
> She shook her head at him. “You’re looking at me that way again.” That way that robbed her of breath.
“I can’t help myself.” His gaze settled on her mouth for a moment before roaming south, all the way to her toes.
A tangible look that left heat on the parts it touched. “I don’t think you’re really trying to help yourself.”
“You’re right.” The heat in his eyes intensified. “But I prefer India’s older sister to India. I think she’s the beautiful one.”
“Gabe.” What the hell was she supposed to do when he said stuff like that? “We shouldn’t—”
“I think we should.” He uncurled from the counter.
“Knock, knock!” Vince opened the kitchen door and poked his head around. “I saw you from outside. We were driving past.”
Kelly struggled to get her disordered senses from clamoring, but it was like being dunked in frigid water. She put a few steps between her and Gabe.
“Vince.” Gabe nodded.
Vince nodded. “Gabe.”
“Hi.” Kelly squeaked.
Vince glanced from her to Gabe and back again. “Everything okay?”
Not even close. “Perfect.” Her voice sounded too loud. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.” Vince gave her a boyish grin. He opened the door wider and Hannah and Daniel slunk into the kitchen. “The kids and I were going out for ice cream, and we wanted you to join us.”
Hannah crossed her arms and gave Kelly a glare that left her in no doubt as to who was issuing the invitation. “Um, I’m good thanks. We just finished dinner.”
“Who’s here?” India walked into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw Vince and his kids and gave them a sweet smile. “Hi. This is a lovely surprise.”
“India.” Vince smiled back. “How are you?”
“Good.” India flushed. Then she looked at the kids and lit up from within. “It’s so nice to see you guys again.”
If she hadn’t been standing right there, Kelly would never have believed it.
Daniel stammered and blushed and looked at India like a goddess had walked into the kitchen.
Even more amazing was the instant defrost from Hannah, who blushed and giggled.
“I had so much fun with you the other day.” India drew them deeper under her spell. “I’ve told your father I want Jacob to grow up to be like you two.”
Vince beamed.
Hannah and Daniel adored.
Gabe smirked and Kelly wanted to puke.
“Would you like to come for ice cream with us?” Daniel blinked at India.
Vince nodded. “You’re welcome to come. Kelly has turned us down.”
“Oh, well—”
“Go right ahead.” If they liked India, Kelly felt no compunction tossing her sister to the lions. Besides—and it was a totally weak justification—India needed to get out of the house. “I can stay and watch Jacob. I’m tired anyway from my hike today.”
Vince looked taken aback. “You went hiking? You hate hiking.”
“Not all the time.” Gabe smirked.
“Right.” Vince looked confused. “Are you sure you won’t come for ice cream?” He remembered his manners. “Of course, you’re welcome to join us too, Gabe.”
“I’m sure.” Kelly flapped a hand at them. “Take India with you and don’t let her come back until you make her laugh.”
It took a few more minutes to get everyone out of the kitchen, minutes in which India effortlessly enslaved Vince’s kids to the point where Hannah volunteered her babysitting services.
Dot joined them in the kitchen to tell India she’d leave the door open for her. She stood beside Kelly and watched Vince open the door for India.
India looked up and smiled at Vince.
Vince smiled back at her.
Ducking her head, India climbed into the car.
“Well now,” Dot said. “Isn’t that interesting?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gabe woke feeling different the next day. His conversation with Kelly at the falls had shaken something loose that had been stuck in him for too long. He had been like a dog walking around with a thorn embedded in its paw.
Speaking to Kelly had gotten rid of the thorn. His paw might still be sore, but the source of the pain had gone. She was one hell of a girl. Other than the insane sexual chemistry, he really liked her.
Tucking his hands behind his head, he chuckled at the memory of her playing pool with Cara. Both women trash-talked better than Mark mouthing off to an opposing team.
Kelly had suggested he talk to Ben, and despite his initial resistance it made a lot of sense to him. He rolled out of bed and headed for the shower.
He bumped into India in the hallway. As per usual, she averted her gaze from his bare chest, but he had put on boxers, so he smiled. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She tried to duck past him.
Some devil in him had asking, “How was going for ice cream?”
“Fine.” And she smiled. “Vince has the nicest children. I’m not sure what happened with Kelly and them.”
He was glad India was having a good time, but Ma wasn’t the only one finding the current dynamics interesting.
In the bathroom, he locked the door and turned on the shower. The pipes creaked the same way they had since his childhood. He had tried to talk to Ma about moving somewhere smaller, but there was where she wanted to be. She held high hopes for filling the house with grandchildren one day.
Ben’s four were a good start, but instead of appeasing her, they had made the grandma light in Ma’s eyes even more feral. Not for one second did the lack of blood connection occur to her. Those kids were now hers, and Gabe suspected they had been Ma’s grands since the moment Ben had brought them after trying to arrest Poppy.
The story still made him chuckle. He checked the shower temperature and stepped inside.
Poppy, so the story went, had been transporting all four kids right across the country from Philly to San Diego. She’d hit Twin Elks burning up with fever, with a carload of sick and bored kids. Ben had pulled her over for shooting a light. Poppy had passed out, and Ben had been left to deal with the diarrhea, vomit and panic. Of course, he had roped Ma in. Gabe would have done the same.
Ben had found his happy ending, and he deserved it.
Which brought Gabe’s thoughts full circle. He didn’t begrudge anyone their happily ever after, but he wasn’t going to stand aside and let Kelly get hurt. If Vince was Kelly’s one, Gabe wouldn’t stand in their way. Sure, he thought Kelly could do a whole lot better. Vince was a helluva nice guy, and Gabe had nothing against him. It beat him how any man faced with Kelly and India could be giving India the sort of glances that he should have been giving Kelly.
Ma was in the kitchen when he got there. He kissed her cheek. “Morning.”
“Morning, sweetie.” She gave him the same smile he’d been getting since his earliest memory. Ma had a way of making you feel like the most important being in her orbit.
He was such a Momma’s boy. Then again, he had a great mother, so who gave a shit.
“Have you had breakfast?” He poured himself a cup of coffee.
Ma brought him the creamer and set it down beside him. “Not yet. I thought I’d make us some eggs.”
“How about you take a load off and I make us some eggs?”
“Oh.” Ma looked taken aback, and then her eyes twinkled. “That would be lovely, Gabriel.”
He took a pan and a bowl out and got cracking eggs. “I wanted to ask you something.” Ma was the most perceptive person he knew. He poured her a cup of coffee, doctored it like she liked and set it in front of her. “Vince and India?”
“Ah.” Ma sipped her coffee and sighed. “That’s perfect. The coffee.” She blinked at him. “Not the Vince and In
dia situation.”
“But you do think there is a situation?” He whisked the eggs and seasoned them. Ma had taught her boys well.
Ma grimaced. “I think India is in too vulnerable a position for there to be any sort of situation with anyone.” She held up her hand. “However, I definitely think Vince is interested.”
“Dammit!” Gabe slammed the pan on the stove and added oil. “He can’t do that to Kelly again. Last time it was Chelsea, and now it’s India.”
“Whoa there, kiddo.” Ma glared at him. “That’s my pan you’re manhandling, and I’m not sure Kelly will care any more this time than she did last.”
Gabe turned and stared at her. Ma didn’t look cracked in the head. “He broke her heart. She’s never gotten over him.”
“Really?” Ma sipped her coffee. “It seems like she broke his heart more than he broke hers. She walked away first. It was only after she left he couldn’t keep it in his pants when Chelsea provided her shoulder for him to cry on.”
Eggs hissed as he dropped them in the heated pan. Kelly had walked away first, that much was true. “I don’t get what you’re saying.”
“Here’s what I think,” Ma said. “For a couple so in love, they managed to toss it all away really fast. You know Kelly, better than most of us.” Ma smirked. “Do you think if she really cared about something she would walk away so easily?”
“That’s not how Kelly sees it.”
“Right.” Ma nodded. “And the more interesting question is why.”
Gabe had no answer for that, also no response, because he wasn’t exactly sure what Ma was getting at. Some truth about what Ma had said hovered outside his perception as they ate breakfast together.
Ma trotted off with Peg soon after, and he drove out to see Ben.
When he pulled up to the cabin a little way out of town, Ben was already there, hard at work.
“Hey!” The house looked ready to him. “You’ve made more progress.”
Ben climbed down a ladder where he’d been drilling holes for light fittings. “Yeah, one final push and we’re done.”
“That’s why I thought you might need a hand.” He opened his arms wide. “In the interest of complete honesty, I need instruction and strict supervision.”