“Let me go back to Serenity and think it over,” he suggested. “I’ll get back to you tomorrow, or first thing Monday morning, if you don’t like dealing with work issues on Sunday.”
“The sooner the better,” Butch told him. “Do you mind telling me what’s holding you back from saying yes now?”
“I have some people I need to consider,” Gabe hedged. “I’m working for my cousin right now. He’s got a baby on the way and he’s counting on me.”
Butch studied him and nodded. “I appreciate that you want to be fair to him. That’s another admirable trait.” A gleam lit his eyes. “Something tells me there’s more, a woman, maybe. With a decent man as good-looking as you, there’s always a woman.”
Gabe laughed. “There might be a woman.”
“One you’re running from or one you’re considering staying with?” Butch asked perceptively.
“That is the dilemma,” Gabe admitted.
Butch sighed. “I know I’m going to regret telling you this, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that a man should never walk away from the possibility of love. Jobs come and go, but the right woman? That’s something you should hang on to tight. Given the number of years I’ve been happily married to the same woman, I think I know what I’m talking about. She’d tell you the same thing.”
Gabe felt the knot in his stomach slowly start to ease at Butch’s words. It wasn’t as if the advice was anything new, or anything he hadn’t considered. It just suddenly made sense. Adelia had a hold on his heart. That wouldn’t change if he stayed or if he ran.
“Thank you,” he said holding out his hand. “I don’t think I need to wait after all. I appreciate the offer, but I’m turning it down.”
Butch looked disappointed, but he nodded. “Much as I hate to say it, it sounds as if it’s the right decision. If it turns out not to be, give me a call.”
“I’ll do that,” Gabe promised.
With luck, though, that would be a call he’d never have to make.
* * *
“Can I ask you something personal?” he asked Mitch over coffee on Monday morning. He’d spent the rest of the weekend debating his decision with himself, but not a single one of his many moments of panic had managed to shake his conviction that coming back to Serenity and Adelia was exactly the right choice.
Mitch leveled a look into his eyes. “Maybe first you should tell me about this job offer I hear you’ve had.”
Gabe swallowed hard at the dismay in his cousin’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have mentioned that I intended to check out another opportunity,” he admitted.
“Yes, you should have,” Mitch said, his gaze unrelenting.
“My only excuse is that it came up unexpectedly. I felt I owed it to myself to check it out.”
“And?”
“I’m staying, Mitch, that is, if you’ll still have me.”
Relief washed over Mitch’s face. “That’s good then. We don’t have to say another word about it. I assume you had your reasons for even going down to Beaufort.”
“Of course I did,” Gabe said. “I was running from everything I’ve been feeling about Adelia.”
Mitch smiled. “But you changed your mind and decided to stop running?”
“I did. That brings me back to that personal question I wanted to ask.”
“Sure. Shoot,” Mitch said.
“How did you know Lynn was the right woman for you?”
Mitch laughed. “You mean back when we were fourteen and the only man she cared about was Ed Morrow? We might be able to chalk that up to teen lust.”
“I was thinking about more recently, when you actually got together,” Gabe said.
Mitch was silent for several minutes. “I think maybe it was because we did go down those very different paths. When we started running into each other when I was working at Raylene’s next door, it just seemed natural to be with her. She was going through hell with her divorce from Ed. I wanted to be the person she leaned on. Not that she did. She was determined to get through that tough time on her own. I think I fell even more in love with her because of that.”
“Okay, so there were old feelings, friendship, that leftover lust from when you were fourteen, I assume.”
“Oh yeah, there was that,” Mitch said, glancing toward the back of the bakery as if to catch a glimpse of Lynn. A smile landed on his lips when she passed by the open doorway into the kitchen. He turned back to Gabe. “What is this really about? Are you wondering if what you feel for Adelia is real?”
Gabe nodded. “We haven’t even slept together, if you can believe it. That’s the only sort of relationship with a woman I’ve ever known how to have. Despite that, I feel closer to Adelia than I ever did to those other women. There’s something deeper, even more intense between us.”
He wasn’t sure if he was explaining it right, so he tried again. “Adelia’s at the heart of it, though. I feel as if it’s hard to breathe when she’s not around. It’s like I found this piece of myself I never even knew was missing.” He gave his cousin a bemused look. “She’s in my blood, you know what I mean?”
Again, Mitch glanced toward the kitchen. “Believe me, I know. If you’re asking what I think about what you have with Adelia, it sounds real to me, but you two are the only ones who can really know. How do you feel about having an instant family?”
Gabe smiled. “Well, I’m not entirely over the panic, that’s for sure. But when Tomas follows me around and looks at me as if I know all the answers in the universe, it does something to me. The girls...” He shook his head. “They scare the daylights out of me. I want to make sure they avoid all the mistakes my mother made. I feel so blasted protective, and then I wonder when that happened.”
“It’s called being a dad,” Mitch said, regarding him sympathetically. “And girls are definitely different. I raised two sons. I totally get Lynn’s boy, Jeremy, but Lexie? She’s a whole different ball game. She’s smart and sassy and tough, but I’m terrified every time she mentions going on a date. So far Lynn’s insisted that she only do the group thing, but that won’t last much longer. Then I might consider locking her in her room. I have a selection of deadbolts in my truck, just in case.”
“I can understand that,” Gabe said. “I just know that’s how I’m going to be when Selena discovers boys.” He gave Mitch a surprised look. “But I want that in my life.”
“Okay, here’s what I see, Gabe. The same instincts that got you into trouble as a kid, being loyal and looking out for your mom the only way you knew how, those instincts have made you into a good man. You’ll do whatever it takes to keep anyone from hurting the people you love. And my gut tells me you’ve learned that brawling isn’t the answer.”
“Will it shake that belief to know that I still wouldn’t mind catching Ernesto Hernandez in some dark alley and punching his lights out?” Gabe asked, not entirely in jest.
“Not a bit, because you haven’t done it.”
“So you think I wouldn’t make a mess of the whole happily-ever-after thing?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” Mitch said. “It only matters what you believe, how willing you are to dedicate yourself to being a good husband and father. You weren’t just running from the past all these years. You were running from too much responsibility, too soon. Only you can decide if you’re ready to take on the whole passel of responsibility that comes with marrying Adelia.”
Gabe sighed. “After what happened the other day, when I told Adelia I was probably leaving, mine may not be the vote that counts. She may not believe I’m ready, no matter what I say now.”
Mitch stood up then and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “But you came to your senses in the nick of time. I have faith in your powers of persuasion. If Adelia’s the woman you really, truly want, there’s not a doubt in my mind that you ca
n win her over. It may take more patience than you’d like, but I’ve seen the way the woman looks at you. Play your cards right and you’ll have everything you ever dreamed of.”
After Mitch had gone, Gabe sipped his cup of coffee and thought about what his cousin had said. He walked over to the counter and called out to Lynn. She came out of the back, wiping her flour-covered hands on a towel.
“I have an idea,” he said. “Think you can help me out?”
“Does this have something to do with what you and my husband were discussing?”
“You overheard?”
“I just heard you mention something about Adelia,” Lynn said. “It got my hopes up, especially since you’re still here in town, instead of down in Beaufort. Thank you for that, by the way. I know Mitch is relieved. He’s counting on you.”
“I know that. It’s one of the reasons I turned down the job.”
“And the other is Adelia?”
He smiled. “The other is Adelia,” he confirmed. “Now, here’s what I’m thinking,” he said, watching her face as he described his idea. A smile spread as she listened, so he concluded that just maybe he’d gotten it right.
“It’s perfect,” she said. “When do you want to do this?”
Now that his mind was made up, he knew waiting would kill him. “How long will it take you?”
Lynn laughed. “So you’re going for broke today?”
Gabe faltered. “Do you think that’s a mistake? Do I need to lay some groundwork? Mitch said something about patience, but it’s not my strong suit.”
“Personally, though I’ve had to practice it a time or two, I think patience can be highly overrated. Come back at closing.”
“Perfect,” he said. “That’ll give me just enough time.”
Now that he’d made up his mind to reach for the future he’d never let himself imagine, he wanted to get on with it. The end of the day would give him just enough time to check on things at the work site, then get back to the inn to shower and change into something a whole lot more presentable than his work clothes. A man couldn’t very well ask the most important question of his life while covered in dust and wearing denim.
* * *
Adelia had just hung the closed sign on the door of the boutique and was about to turn the lock when she saw Gabe approaching wearing that perfectly tailored suit again and carrying a huge pastry box. He beckoned for her to open the door.
“What on earth?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Is it somebody’s birthday? Where are you going all dressed up and carrying a cake?”
“Lock the door,” he told her, his gaze never leaving her face.
“Gabe?” she whispered questioningly, even as she did as he’d requested. “What’s going on?”
He set the box on the counter, then suddenly, charmingly looked as if he wasn’t quite sure what to do with his hands. He nodded toward the box.
“Red velvet cake,” he began. “Lynn says it’s your favorite.”
“It is.”
“The kids like it, too?”
“Sure.”
He swallowed hard. “You and I, we haven’t known each other all that long.”
“True.”
“But I feel as if it’s been forever.” He hesitated. “Do you know what I mean?”
She drew in a deep breath, suddenly terrified about the direction in which he was heading, yet thrilled just the same. “I do,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Your divorce is still new,” he said. “So maybe you’re not where I am yet.” He regarded her questioningly.
“Where are you, Gabe? I thought you were taking off.”
“I changed my mind,” he said, shocking her.
“Why?”
She waited while he seemed to be struggling with the answer.
“Because I’m in love with you,” he finally blurted, as if he needed to get the words out in a rush. “I sure didn’t expect it, but that’s what makes life interesting, right? The surprises. You were a total surprise, Adelia. The best kind. And those complications we talked about? This is the best kind of those, too.”
Relief washed over her. She gave him an encouraging smile. He seemed to need reassurance and suddenly she felt calmer and more composed than she had at any time since she’d left her cheating ex-husband.
“You came as a surprise to me, too,” she said. “Definitely the best kind.”
He looked as if he hadn’t really expected her to admit to the same feelings. She laughed. “You look surprised.”
“It’s just that I’m not used to getting what I want. I want you, Adelia. I don’t mean just in my bed or just for a night. I mean forever. I want to marry you, to be with you and your kids. Who knows, maybe it’s not too late for us to have one of our own. Will you marry me? I don’t think I’m a bad bet, not anymore. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re happy. That goes for the kids, too. I won’t try to be their dad. They have one. But I think I’m ready to be a good influence on them.” He held her gaze and waited, then prodded, “So, what do you think?”
Adelia reached behind her and felt for the stool that was always right behind the counter. She sat down hard at the unexpected question. She hadn’t dared to let herself even imagine that marriage was where he was heading.
“You want to marry me?” she repeated to be sure.
Hearing the words, even though she’d been anticipating some sort of dramatic declaration for a few minutes now, stunned her. It was a giant leap from what she’d been thinking. She’d expected maybe a request that they spend more time together, see how it went. Apparently once Gabe made a decision, he was all in. She realized that was something she’d come to appreciate about him. He put what he was thinking, what he wanted, right out there. There were no guessing games about where she stood with him. Even when he’d been thinking of leaving, a move he knew would hurt her, he’d put his cards on the table and told her the truth.
“I do want to marry you,” he stated quietly. “More than anything, but I can wait if you need more time. Or if the kids need to adjust to the idea.”
“The kids will go a little crazy,” she said, then grinned. “But definitely in a good way.”
“What about you?”
Her expression sobered. “I need to be clear about a couple of things.”
“Okay.”
“No more talk about leaving town, getting a fresh start someplace new? Are you really sure you want to stay here in Serenity, crazy gossip and all?”
“Leaving was the plan,” he said. “I’m apparently a lot more adaptable than I’d realized. This is the fresh start I want, Adelia. Right here, with you and your kids, with all those Sweet Magnolia women meddling and their husbands trying to beat my butt in basketball.”
“And the red velvet cake? Where does that fit in?”
He grinned, looking more relaxed now that he clearly assumed the conversation was going to go his way. “Answer me first,” he countered. “I’m not sure how I feel about being less important to you than a cake.”
“Trust me, this cake doesn’t hold a candle to you and your proposal,” she said. “I just wondered.”
“You’re stalling,” he accused. Then his expression faltered. “Is it because I’m rushing you? I meant it when I said I’d wait till you caught up with me.”
She drew in a deep breath, steadied herself, then walked around the counter until she was standing right in front of this man who’d come to mean the world to her, this man she trusted in ways she’d never expected to trust again. She put her hand on his clean-shaven cheek and smiled.
“You’re all dressed up and you even shaved,” she whispered as if she’d just noticed.
“It’s not the kind of question a man asks when he’s covered in drywall dust,” he said. “And you’re s
till stalling.”
“Just drawing out the moment,” she said. “I want to savor it.”
“So the answer is...”
“Yes,” she said, moving into his arms. Then she was surrounded by all that heat and strength and his lips were on hers in a kiss that stole her breath away.
When she could speak again, she repeated her answer with even more emphasis, “Yes, Gabe Franklin, I will marry you.” Then she nudged him in the ribs. “Now tell me about that cake.”
He laughed and lifted the lid on the box. “I thought maybe we’d have something to celebrate tonight,” he explained. “At least I hoped we would.”
In flowing script across the top of the decadent red velvet cake, it said, “Your mom said yes!”
Adelia laughed. “Awfully sure of yourself, weren’t you?”
“Darlin’, until I met you, I hadn’t been sure of anything for a very long time. This, it was just a matter of time. If you hadn’t said yes tonight, that cake would have gone in the freezer until you were ready.”
“But it’s so much better when it’s fresh out of the oven,” she said. “Let’s take it home and celebrate.”
As she said it, she smiled. With Gabe by her side, the house she’d chosen for her future really was going to be a home. And they were going to be a family, the kind she’d always dreamed of, the kind Gabe had never had.
Of course, it might be a little crowded for a while now. She probably ought to mention that to make sure the presence of her sister and her kids wouldn’t give Gabe cold feet.
“I should probably fill you in about something before we take this cake home,” she said.
“Is it something that might be a deal breaker?” he asked worriedly.
“I hope not.”
“Then tell me.”
“My sister’s staying with me.”
Gabe’s eyes widened. “Carolina finally left her husband?”
Adelia nodded. “I’m still hoping to convince her to file charges against Ricky, but she’s not there yet.”
“At least she got away from him. How are her kids?”
“They’re at my mom’s for another day or two, but they could be moving in, too. Carolina needs to be someplace she can feel safe and figure out what comes next. The good news is that Cruz women are never down-and-out for long. I have faith that she’s going to find her way, just like I did.”
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