Letters to Gabriella

by Patricia Paris

  She went down to the kitchen and heated up a cup of coffee in the microwave and then took it outside to the dock. She sat on the boards and put the coffee down beside her. This was her peaceful place. The sound of the waves wafting through the marsh grass never failed to soothe her.

  Had her father loved her after all? Gab hugged her knees, rocking back and forth. She’d been so shocked when he’d named her his sole beneficiary, but if he had loved her, at least it made some sense that he had wanted her to have whatever he left behind.

  She looked out across the small bay and watched a sailboat glide across the water, her thoughts tacking right along with the boat. If he had loved her, what did that say about everything she grew up believing? What did it say about what might have been, what could have been? Would she discover he’d wanted her after all, when it was too late to do anything about it? It was foolish, but she felt like crying, and she didn’t even know if any of her imaginings were true. She didn’t think she could go back up to the attic and read the letters. At least not right now. She needed a couple of days to process their existence. When she felt ready to read them, she might even discover they didn’t mean much after all. She’d only read part of one line.

  She dashed away a tear. Why was she getting so worked up about it? It was one line of one letter.

  Tell her what…that he loved her?

  GAB PULLED up in front of the large house that evening and wondered if everyone in Glebe Point lived on secluded dirt roads with their closest neighbor a mile or two away.

  As she and Chloe were getting out of the car, Delaney walked out of the house and waved. Ben darted out from behind his mom and came bounding down the front porch steps.

  “Hi, Chloe,” he said, his boyish grin so charming Gab wondered if anyone could ever say no to him. He looked up at Gab and smiled. She did a double take, his big golden eyes triggering something in her. Who did he remind her of? She furrowed her brow, trying to frame an elusive image, but then shook it off and turned to greet his mother.

  “Thanks again for inviting us,” Gab said to Delaney. “Chloe and I have both been looking forward to it.”

  Delaney gave her a hug. “So have I. Come on inside while I finish getting dinner together.”

  Gab followed her into the house and back to the kitchen. It was a gourmet’s dream. “Wow, this kitchen looks like it belongs in a design magazine!”

  “I know,” Delaney agreed. “My husband remodeled it after we got married. He promised to give me a chef’s kitchen, but I never would have dreamed he’d create something like this. He’s a genius when it comes to building and remodeling.”

  “That’s good to know. I’ve got some remodeling I need to do. Maybe I should have him look at my place and give me a bid.”

  “You really should,” Delaney agreed. “I mean if you’re serious. He’s the best builder on the Eastern Shore; everyone says so.”

  “You bragging about me again, darlin’?”

  Gab turned around and almost gasped out loud when she saw the man walking up to Delaney. He wrapped his arms around her expanding waist and gave her a very affectionate kiss, especially considering they had an audience.

  “Blake!” Delaney eased back, sounding a little breathless. “This is the woman I’ve been telling you about.”

  Gab braced herself. What would he say when he discovered his wife’s new friend was the same woman he’d tried to hit on in the drugstore? The lion turned around and faced her.

  “This is Gabriella, and this,” Delaney said to her, “is my husband, Blake.”

  Blake grinned. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said it as if he’d never seen her before. He walked over and put out his hand. “Delaney told me you just recently moved to town.”

  Gab looked at Delaney and then back to Blake. The guy was so cool. She couldn’t believe he was standing there with his hand outstretched, expecting her to play along. How could he? Delaney was the sweetest person she’d met in years, and she was pregnant with this man’s child. What a lecher!

  She swallowed down the sour taste gathering at the back of her throat, a little unsure how to react. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her new friend. Gab took his hand. He gave hers a shake, looking totally unaffected. “So where did you move from?” the lion asked, casual as you please.

  “Connecticut.” Gab avoided any eye contact.

  He walked over to the counter and popped a couple of pieces of cheese into his mouth. “So what brought you all the way to Glebe Point?”

  “Change of scenery.” Not only had he tried to hit on her, but if the other woman in the drugstore was any indication, he made a practice of cheating on his wife. Wasn’t he afraid she’d find out?

  “Gabriella might have some upcoming remodeling she’d like to talk to you about,” Delaney volunteered.

  “Is that right?” Blake flashed Gab a smile.

  “It’s nothing definite.” No way would she let this guy across her threshold. “I’m not sure what I want to do yet, or when I want to get started.”

  “Well,” Blake offered, “when you think you’re ready to make some changes, I’d be happy to take a look.”

  Gab nodded. “Thanks,” she mumbled.

  Delaney touched the man’s arm. “Blake, would you set the table out on the patio? It’s such a nice night I thought we’d eat outside.”

  “Sure thing, darlin’.” The guy was all agreeable and conciliatory. He turned back to Gab. “Would you like a glass of wine before dinner?”

  “White if you have it.” She studied the floor.

  “I’ll have a glass of white, too,” Delaney piped in.

  “Nice try, Delaney. I’ll pour you a glass of lemonade.” He walked past his wife and gave her a tap on the behind.

  “The doctor said a glass once in a while wouldn’t hurt anything,” Delaney protested.

  “Ain’t the doc’s little girl you got cookin’ in the oven,” Blake retorted.

  Delaney looked over at Gab. “Damn stubborn man.”

  “Quit your swearing, sugar. I don’t want my daughter to grow up to be a potty mouth.”

  “She can’t hear me, Blake.” Delaney smirked and gave him an eye roll.

  He opened the refrigerator and then turned around with a bottle of wine in one hand and a pitcher of pink lemonade in the other. “Now you don’t know that. She might be able to hear you and she might not.”

  Delaney slung a hand on her hip and arched a brow. Blake chuckled.

  Gab was in awe of how the man could stand there joking with his wife in front of her after what he’d done. She rejected the possibility that he didn’t recognize her. Yet he played the loving husband to the hilt, even making her wonder if she’d just imagined he’d been coming on to her. But she hadn’t, and it blew her mind he could act so cool about it all.

  Blake and Delaney did most of the talking during dinner. The kids added enough of a distraction that Gab was able to avoid talking directly to Blake for most of the meal, but when she couldn’t, it was impossible to inject any warmth toward him.

  After dinner the kids played in the yard with Ben’s dog, Hunter. Thankfully, Blake excused himself, saying Gab and Delaney might want some girl time. Gab was relieved she wouldn’t have to fake civility toward the man a moment longer.

  As they were getting ready to leave, Delaney hugged Chloe and then turned to Gab. “We’re having a big barbecue for the Fourth of July. I’d love it if you and Chloe came, and you’ll get to meet a lot of nice people.”

  Gab hesitated. She’d had a difficult enough time getting through this evening without giving Blake away. She really liked Delaney and didn’t want to deceive her, but how could she honestly maintain a friendship with the woman when she knew her husband was cheating on her?

  “I don’t know.” Gab tried to think of a graceful way to decline.

  “Can we, Mom?” Chloe chirped from beside her. “Can we, please?”

  Gab looked down at Chloe and Ben. Two cherub faces looked
back at her with pleading eyes. She sighed.

  “I guess we can make it,” she relented, already afraid it was a mistake.

  “Great!” Delaney was all smiles. “It’ll be fun, and there are going to be a lot of kids, so Chloe will have a good time.”

  Gab nodded. “Thanks again for dinner.”

  “Anytime.” Delaney reached out and patted Gab’s arm.

  Blake came out of the house and jogged down the front steps. He slipped his arm around Delaney’s waist. “It was nice to meet you, Gabriella.” He reached out and tweaked Chloe’s nose. “You too, squirt.”

  Gabriella cleared her throat and glanced at him. His perusal had returned to her, and he seemed to study her through thoughtful eyes, as if trying to figure something out. He was probably wondering if she was going to blow his game. She looked away.

  “You too,” she managed with rote enthusiasm. Needing a distraction, she reached down and ruffled Ben’s hair. “Nice to see you again, Ben.”

  He grinned and ducked his head.

  “Come on, Chloe.” Gab turned and walked down the sidewalk to her car. As they drove away a couple of minutes later, she waved out the window and wondered how she was going to deal with Blake Morrison.

  You were supposed to bring a date,” Blake chided Justin when he arrived for the barbecue solo.

  “What,” Justin joked, “and miss the feeding frenzy?” He hefted the keg out of his trunk. “Where do you want this bad boy?”

  “On the pavers under the apple tree.” Blake stepped aside to let his brother past. “It’s the only place close to the house that’ll be in the shade all day. There’s a cooler full of ice there, too.”

  “Got it.” Justin rolled the barrel out to the backyard and hefted it into the large wooden barrel his brother had put on the cement pavers, then poured ice all around it to keep it cold. He pulled the tap from his pocket and attached it to the keg.

  Ted, one of Blake’s foremen, sauntered over and dispensed the first cup. “Let the party begin.” He raised his brew in a toast.

  “Justin!”

  Justin looked around and saw Delaney waving him over to the patio.

  “Justin,” she called again, after he got waylaid by Gwen on the way.

  “Gotta go see what my sister-in-law wants, sugar. I’ll catch you later.” He eased out of the woman’s hold.

  “Blake told me you came without a date,” Delaney said when he bent down to kiss her cheek.

  “Greetings to you, too, sweetheart.”

  “I’m sorry.” She gave him a return peck. “Of course I’m delighted to see you. Now answer my question. Did you come alone?”

  “Yes, my dear, sorry to say I disobeyed your wishes and came stag. Truth is, I asked several women but, alas, they all shot me down.”

  “Fat chance of that.” She beamed up at him, looking suspiciously pleased he’d come sans a date. “It’s okay, I forgive you. Besides, I was only joking.”

  “Not according to Blake.”

  She gave him a teasing punch in the arm. “What does he know?”

  Justin narrowed a glance at her. “What are you up to, Delaney?”

  Her eyes widened, immediately setting off his internal alarms. “Wha—? Nothing,” she sputtered, her arms going akimbo. “Why do you think I’m up to something?”

  He looked around the yard. “Is Mary here?”

  “Mary? Of course she is. Why?”

  “If you two are planning some hair-brained matchmaking scheme, just count me out of it.”

  Delaney put her hands on her hips. “Did Blake put that idea in your head?”

  “I don’t need Blake to point out the obvious.” Justin raised a brow. “C’mon, love, I know you’ve got something up your sleeve. Now, just point out which one of your friends you’re trying to fix me up with so I can avoid the noose.”

  “You’re as impossible as that brother of yours.” She turned around and stomped off, leaving him standing alone on the patio.

  Bingo! It was bad enough when he just had Mary to worry about. Now it appeared Delaney had joined ranks with their neighbor to double-team him. He’d planned to spend a relaxing afternoon with family and friends; instead, he might have to spend it guarding his bachelorhood.

  A few minutes later, Justin gathered all the kids together and organized a game of softball on the far side of the lawn. Most of them couldn’t hit or throw for spit, but they had a lot of fun trying. Between the softball game and catching up with some of his buddies, he did a pretty good job of avoiding Delaney and Mary the first hour and a half of the party.

  When the food was ready, Justin loaded up a plate with corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, and a pork sandwich, then sat down to eat at one of the picnic tables that had been covered in newspaper and had a mound of steamed blue crabs piled high in the center of it for the taking. Blake joined him a few minutes later, and the two ate in companionable silence.

  “Damn good pulled pork.” Justin finished off his sandwich and then plucked a large crab from the table and snapped off the claws.

  “Yup.” Blake said around a mouthful of food.

  “Delaney make it?”

  “Yup.”

  “Damn good cook.”

  Blake just smiled.

  “Justin!”

  Justin glanced up from his plate and saw Delaney hurrying toward them looking like a woman on a mission.

  Blake cleared his throat. “Just so you know, I didn’t have anything to do with this.”

  “Oh, hell!” Justin groaned and downed a slug of beer.

  Delaney was slightly winded when she reached their table. She brought a hand to her chest and blew out a breath. She smiled down at him.

  “Justin,” she said, her cheeks flushed from the afternoon heat and her dash across the lawn.

  “Delaney,” he responded, already feeling an invisible noose dropping around his neck.

  She took his hand. “Come up to the house. There’s someone I want you to meet.” She walked away, glancing over her shoulder and crooking a finger at him, clearly expecting him to follow.

  “Just humor her,” Blake advised when Delaney was out of earshot. “But only if you want to enjoy the rest of the day with any measure of peace.”

  Justin slumped his shoulders and stood up, resigned.

  Blake stood up as well. “Think I’ll come along for moral support.”

  Justin frowned. “Great! You know who I’m going to my doom to meet?”

  “Yup.”

  “It’s not one of my old girlfriends, is it?”

  “Nope.”

  “You’re not being real helpful here, bro.” Justin pushed his fingers through his hair. “I’m gonna hate this, aren’t I?”

  Blake said nothing.

  “Give me a hint, Blake.”

  “Look, I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about. You know how charming I am, right?”

  “What the hell’s that got to do with it?”

  “Just that for some reason, I get the feeling the woman doesn’t like me. So it stands to reason, she probably won’t like you either.” Blake shrugged. “I mean, what’s not to like?”

  Justin shook his head. “I don’t know who’s acting screwier today, you or your wife.”

  GABRIELLA POURED a glass of lemonade for Chloe and took it to the table where her daughter had joined Ben and some of the other children after the two of them arrived a few minutes earlier.

  “Here you go, honey.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Chloe took the drink and turned her attention back to the other kids.

  The party was already in full swing. Gab had purposely come late, hoping Blake would be busy with his guests, and she could avoid him in the crowd. Everyone had just started eating when she and Chloe got there.

  “Gabriella!” Gab heard Delaney call her name and turned. She spotted her friend coming across the lawn and waved.

  “I want you to meet someone.” Delaney rushed to Gab’s side.

  Gab smiled then glan
ced a few feet beyond Delaney to see Blake headed straight for them. She looked away immediately, turning back to Delaney, not even wanting to acknowledge the man. She wished for Delaney’s sake she could like him…that they could all be friends. It just wasn’t possible.

  “Ho!” Delaney patted her stomach. “The heat must be getting to me.”

  “Maybe you should sit down and relax for a few minutes,” Gab suggested, noticing how flushed her friend’s cheeks were.

  Delaney nodded. “I will, but first I want to introduce you to Justin.” She put a hand on Gab’s arm and turned her back around to face Blake and another man.

  Gab closed her eyes a second, willing forth some civility, then opened them and looked at Blake. He was staring at her as if he couldn’t believe she was there. She looked at the other man. She looked back—and back and forth again. Her mouth dropped open and she just gaped, speechless.

  “I don’t believe this!” Blake, or the man who looked exactly like him, said with a broad grin.

  Gab found her voice. “You’re…you’re…”

  “Identical twins,” Delaney finished for her. She reached out and pulled one of the men forward. “This is Blake’s brother, Justin.” Delaney beamed.

  Everything suddenly fell into place, and when it did, Gab was mortified. She looked at Blake. “I’m so sorry. I owe you a very big apology.”

  Blake frowned. “You do?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid I do.”

  Justin frowned at Blake. “For what?”

  Gab caught her bottom lip between her teeth and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, three people were looking at her with matching expressions of confusion.

  “Oh man, this is awkward.” She dragged in a breath and addressed Blake again. “You see, I thought you were him.” She hitched her head toward Justin. “When I came for dinner a couple of weeks ago and I—”

  “You came here for dinner a couple of weeks ago?” Justin looked incredulous. “I’ve been looking all over the county for you and you were here? Right under my nose?”

  “Yes.” Gab glanced at him then back to Blake. “I thought you were…when we ran into each other at the drugstore the day before…”