by Lois Richer
He stared at the water rushing to shore in big, swelling waves that dashed on the sand in a thousand sparkling droplets. And suddenly he understood Blair’s fascination with this place.
The wind spit water on his face, tossed sand against his pants, flipped his perfect tie into wild abandon. For a moment, just one precious moment, he forgot everything but the wonder of the world God had created.
The sky loomed over the sea in an endless swath of darkening blue satin. The beach. He sank to his knees and let a handful of the minuscule grains sift through his fingers. How many grains did it take to make a beach like this? God knew. Jake said He’d even counted the hairs on his head!
Up and down the beach, the stragglers were packing up baskets and chairs and sleepy kids and heading home. Where was home? Gabe’s gut twisted with longing for the home he’d known such a short but wonderful time.
How could he go back now, a failure, stripped of everything he’d once flaunted? Okay, not everything, but enough so that he wasn’t king of the mountain anymore. He wouldn’t even be a player when his father got through with him.
And yet, compared to Blair and Daniel, compared to Willie’s soft, loving touch and Mac’s sage advice and generous spirit, what did any of that matter? He ached to be there again, to dunk his head in that stupid pool and watch Blair’s face light up with admiration. He wanted to hug Daniel tightly, to keep him close and safe, to protect him from the hurt that chewed at his own heart.
He loved them. The knowledge dawned without warning just as the moon slipped from behind a cloud and moved into the clear sky. Love? Was this love, this fierce need to be wanted, to be needed by the most special people in the world? Was it love that made his throat swell with pride when he remembered Blair carelessly signing those stupid papers just so she could prove she wanted more from him than money?
Was it love when it hurt so bad not to be able to hold her, to breathe her light, spicy perfume, to touch that curling mass of vibrantly alive curls?
Yes. Love.
The wonder of it made him weak. He wasn’t a misfit, an oddball. He hadn’t been tossed on the scrap heap when emotions were handed out. He felt love! He knew that fierce longing to protect the ones who mattered most, and it had a name. Love.
Compared to that, what did the loss of Polytech matter? He wasn’t destitute. They could manage very well. Willie and Mac would be well cared for. Albert would have his supplies. Why was Gabe clinging so tightly to a company that he’d clearly outgrown? Why did he refuse to sell out?
“I want to be a father,” he whispered, staring at the sky with its twinkling lights. “I want to be a husband. I want the chance to prove I’m worth her love. Can You show me how?”
As clearly as a bell, the solution pinged his brain. Let go of the company. Get rid of the deadweight of the past. Move on.
“Yes!” Gabe surged to his feet, snatched up his jacket, shoes and socks and raced across the sand, the wind tearing at his clothes, sucking the very breath from his lungs as he headed home.
He reached the boardwalk, chest searing but heart soaring. In a few quick moves his feet were clad. He hurried toward his expensive car, then stopped. His eyes saw clearly where Gabe had placed his priorities. This wasn’t a car for the father of a six-year-old boy. It was fast, it was expensive, but Blair would hate it.
He climbed inside and mentally ticked off “sell car” as he drove toward the condo he’d never thought of as home. “Sell condo,” he muttered to himself with a happy grin. He parked and took the elevator, his mind clicking through all the things he no longer wanted or needed.
Inside the apartment, Gabe looked around. “Sell ugly art sculptures,” he told himself, wondering why he’d ever purchased the alabaster. He knew why. Someone had told him it would be valuable one day. “I hope that day is now,” Gabe grinned as he inspected the rest of his habitat. “Once I get this junk out of the way, I can go back free and clear.”
It was only as he returned to the living room that he caught sight of the flashing light on an answering machine he’d long since forgotten he owned. He punched the play button and waited as the machine rewound. A long silence stretched across the tape and he almost shut it off.
“Gabe, this is Blair.”
He sucked in his breath, dismay clawing at his brain as he waited for her to blast him.
“I need you. Please come home.”
A glow flared inside. It flickered, wavered for an instant and then roared to life.
She needed him. Him! Nobody had ever needed Gabriel Sloan. He knew right enough that he needed her—he needed her more than life. But organized, self-contained, independent Blair needed him?
Gabe dialed the castle, frowning as the phone rang on and on. No one home. That settled it. He strode into the bedroom. He grabbed a small overnight bag from the closet and tossed in the few clothes he thought he’d need, along with a picture album he’d made all those years ago. Pictures of Blair, the Blair he thought he knew. It was the only thing he wanted from this place. They’d laugh over it years from now. He’d say, “Remember this?” and she’d blush and giggle in that infectious way that drew everyone in on the joke with her.
Gabe shut off the bedroom light, cast one look around the apartment and headed for the door. He didn’t care why she needed him. The fact that she did was enough. He intended to be there for her. Always.
A hard, demanding knock on the door erupted a second before he yanked the door open. “Yes?”
Gabe blinked. His father stood in the hallway, his hand still raised.
“Hello, Gabriel.”
To his amazement, Gabe felt no flare of anger, no rush of hate, no urge to rant or rave. All he felt was pity. This man knew nothing of what a family should be. For that, Gabe felt only sorrow.
“Hello, Father. I’m sorry, I don’t have time to talk. I’ve got to get home. My wife needs me.”
“But the company…the deal?” His father trailed him to the elevator in stunned amazement. “What about that?”
Gabe stepped into the elevator, then motioned his father inside. He punched the floor for the garage, then turned to face his father.
“If the company means so much to you, you can have it. Rich is handling everything from here on in. I built Polytech to prove something.”
“To me. I know.”
Daniel Sloan nodded. He had that smug, facetious grin that had often made Gabe’s fists itch. Now he felt only sadness.
“No, for me. So that I would have something in my life. Something to give me purpose and direction.” He stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened, then faced his father as the full import of his decision penetrated. “I don’t need the company anymore. I have a gorgeous wife and a life that’s more important than anything I ever had here. I’m going back to it, and I’m staying there. You’re welcome to take whatever you want. I don’t care anymore.”
His father grabbed his arm as he unlocked the car. “How can you do this? How can you dump it now, when you’ve worked for so long? You can’t be that much of a…”
“A what? A wimp? A sissy?” Gabe smiled, free at last of the old stigma. “Maybe I am.” He tossed his case in the back, then turned to face his father. What he saw was a tired old man who had never figured out what really mattered.
“I have a son, did you know that? He’s your grandson. His name is Daniel, too. He’s six and he needs me to be with him, to teach him, to raise him with respect and love. You tell me, is Polytech more important than that?”
Daniel Sloan, Sr., stared. “I have a grandson?” he whispered, his face pasty white.
Gabe nodded. “And a daughter-in-law who would make your head spin. As well as some wonderful in-laws who care more about the person than his money or his things. You’d enjoy them. They really live life. They taught me what’s important.”
He climbed into the car and started the engine. But he couldn’t drive away. Not yet. Forgiveness had been offered, regrets tossed away, hatred expunged. But
one thing remained.
Love one another.
Gabe rolled down the window. “We live in Colorado, Dad. Not too far away. Ask Rich. He’ll tell you how to get there. You’re welcome anytime.”
His father shook his head but said nothing. He stood, a solitary figure, lost and alone as he puzzled it out. “Your company, this life you wanted so badly—you’ll just let it go without a fight?” he whispered.
Gabe nodded. “In a minute,” he agreed. “It’s worth nothing compared to loving them. Goodbye, Dad.”
Then he headed home.
Chapter Fifteen
Blair glanced at her watch wearily. Seven hours. Surely there must be some news by now. She squeezed her eyes closed and whispered one last prayer as small pudgy fingers curled into hers.
“Daddy will come,” Daniel whispered. “He’s on his way.”
“How do you know that, sweetheart?” Blair couldn’t stand to think of the disappointment she’d see contorting those trusting features if her son was wrong.
“I phoned him. He gave me his special number, and I phoned it. Collect. Albert helped me.” Daniel glanced proudly at the man by his side before scrounging in his pocket for the business card. Gabe had scribbled his cell phone number on the back.
“Honey, I tried that number a whole bunch of times. Daddy wasn’t there.” She tried to soften the blow.
“He was when I phoned. And he said not to worry. He was coming home.” Daniel’s insistent voice rang loud in the chapel.
“Daddy is home.”
The low, rumbling tones caught Blair by surprise. She whirled to find herself wrapped in Gabe’s strong arms, squeezed against his chest the way she’d only ever dreamed of.
“See! I told you he’d come.” Daniel hopped from one foot to the other as he watched them. “I told you.”
“You sure did, son. And I’m very proud of you.” Gabe reached down and ruffled his son’s hair. “Did you and Albert have breakfast yet?”
Daniel shook his head.
Gabe reached into his pocket, then held out a ten-dollar bill. “Well, why don’t you treat Albert to a big, hearty breakfast. Then maybe we’ll be able to go and see your grandfather. Okay?”
Daniel grinned the widest smile he’d ever managed. “Okay,” he agreed. Then his brow furrowed. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to stay right here and talk to your mom. I’ve missed her something fierce.”
Daniel glanced from his mother to his father, then rolled his eyes. “Prob’ly kissing again,” he muttered to Albert.
“Probably.” Albert took his hand and led him to the door. Then he stopped, just for a moment, and winked at Blair. “If your mom doesn’t mind, why should you?” They disappeared through the doors.
Blair turned to Gabe, anger and frustration vying with tiredness and sheer exhaustion as she glared at him.
“Where have you been, Gabriel? I’ve been trying to reach you for ages!”
He shrugged, his eyes bright as he slid his arms around her waist and refused to let her go. “I’ve been correcting a few mistakes,” he murmured. “Some old, some new.”
“But you took so long!”
He tipped his head and laughed, then glanced around the chapel and winced. “Sorry,” he whispered. “But if you’d told me exactly where you needed me, it would have been easier.”
“Where did you think I’d be?” She stared at him, wondering if he was all right. His eyes were too bright, and he was holding her so tenderly. Not that she minded!
“Denver.” He grinned at her uplifted brow. “Daniel,” he explained. “He said Willie had broken her lip and needed an operation and that the plane took her to Denver. I naturally figured you’d gone along. By the way, she’s fine, the operation on her hip went well and she’s resting very comfortably. I got her some flowers from all of us.”
“You saw her?” Blair closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“She told me to give you something.” Gabe stood silent, his head tilted as he studied her.
“She did? What?” Blair couldn’t imagine. Truth to tell, she didn’t want to. She was too tired, too glad to see Gabe to even begin puzzling it all out.
“This.” He bent and kissed her.
“Oh,” she whispered when he finally drew away.
“And one other thing. Her love.” He lifted her fingers, tipped her hand and kissed the palm. Then he squeezed her fingers closed around it. His eyes riveted her in their intensity. “Is it all right if I give you my love, too, Blair? Forever. Always.”
Blair’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t help it. Shock held her immobilized. But not for long. “You love me?” she gasped.
He nodded. “I love you more than I ever knew anyone could love another person. I didn’t know anything about love. I was certain I couldn’t ever feel that. Today I did. I was standing on the beach and all I could think about was being at home with you. Having all of you near, supporting me, caring for me. And suddenly I understood what love is.”
He gripped her shoulders, his stare intense. “I never felt it before, Blair. I should have, but I didn’t. I pretended I did, but that’s all it was. Pretense. But this time I’m not lying. I know what love is. Will you believe me? Will you trust me with your love?”
“I already did.” The tears started then, big fat ones that rolled down her cheeks. “I’ve always loved you.”
He cradled her head against his chest. “I know how hard it was for you, Blair. I know it took a lot of trust to tell me that you needed me. If I’d let you down, if I’d…”
She laid a finger across his lips, her smile tremulous. “God knew,” she whispered. “Isn’t that enough?”
Then with a boldness born of knowing she was the most precious thing in his world, she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled against him. “I’m everlastingly glad you’re here,” she told him tiredly. “Now we can face Mac’s problem together.”
He kissed her forehead, delighted to let her rest against him. “Mac’s going to be fine,” he murmured. “I stopped in there before I came here. He told me where you’d be. He said he knew I’d be back. That I couldn’t resist a challenge.” Gabe grinned, holding her so he could look into her eyes. “He was right. I couldn’t resist the challenge of loving you. Thank God.”
They stood for a long time, content to hold each other until someone came into the chapel. Then they wandered outside and sat on a cold, hard cement bench and watched the sun rise.
“What about the company, Gabe? What happened?”
“I left it all with Rich,” he told her softly. “By the time my father’s finished, I don’t think there will be much left of Polytech. But that doesn’t matter.” He felt immense relief, and nothing more.
Blair poked him in the ribs. “Why doesn’t it matter?” she demanded. “What’s changed?”
“I have,” he told her simply. “I don’t care about Polytech. My life is with you and Daniel and the others. I have enough to start something else, if I want to. We’ll manage.”
“And your father?”
Gabe knew she was worried about that. A little wiggle of joy threaded its way from his heart to his mouth. “I let go of that, too,” he told her. “If my father thinks Polytech will make him happy, he can have it. I’ve forgiven him for the past. I wish him the best. I even invited him out here, if he wanted to come.” He frowned. “Was that okay?”
Blair squeezed his hand hard. “That was very okay,” she said.
He brushed the gorgeous curls off her face and studied her. “I love you,” he murmured, filled with the amazement of those words.
“I know.” She grinned in sheer delight. “Isn’t it wonderful? I can hardly wait until we’re all at home again.”
Gabe held her against his heart, his eyes on the peach-tinted horizon. Home. What a wonderful word.
Four months later, in a little restaurant in town, Blair twined her arms around Gabe’s neck, her body moving slowly to t
he music as she danced with him. Gabe couldn’t be happier. Polytech had been saved at the last minute and sold to another contender in a secret move arranged by Rich. Gabe was free to live in their castle, free of his obsession. He had everything right here.
Her closed eyes granted him the freedom to study her beautiful face, and he did. When her finger moved to trace his ear, he smiled just the tiniest bit.
“Gabe?”
“Hmm?”
“I need to talk to you about something.”
He grinned. He knew what was coming. “Chemistry?” he guessed, kissing the curve of her jaw in a light caress. “Like what puts those little flashes of light into your hair or makes your eyes shine so?”
She blinked her eyes open, their chocolate depths studying him. “No,” she said finally, easing away just a fraction. “Actually it’s a different science. Biology.”
Gabe squinted at her. “Biology?” Would he ever get the hang of this woman’s mind? “Uh, okay. Go ahead.”
“It’s quite a normal event, actually. Happens to a lot of humans.” She was teasing him, her face coy. “You’ll see the final product in about seven and a half months.”
Gabe jerked to a halt, his mind doing a double take as he digested her words. His eyes searched hers, saw her nod, watched her thousand-watt smile reach her eyes. “A baby?” he whispered. “You’re going to have a baby?”
“Actually we are. Both of us. You’ll be the daddy, I’ll be the mommy, and Daniel will be the brother. Those are terms for the biological connection between family members.” She chuckled at his glare.
“I know that,” he told her grumpily. He pulled her close and kissed her so thoroughly they didn’t hear when one song ended and another began. Finally he reached down, his left hand enfolding hers. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
Gabe thought she looked a little confused but very, very happy. Good. That was the way he intended to keep her.
“We’re going home. For once in my life I want to be able to surprise your family. I can hardly wait to see their faces when we tell them this,” Gabe said as they drove home.