Right now, he couldn’t wait to be with his family again. He needed time to simply be himself away from the crowds.
“That was a great interview last week, Gabe.” His brother Jack came to stand beside him at the helm of his yacht.
Gabe grinned as he steered his yacht Lady Eliza, along Puget Sound waterway. “Yeah. But, I must admit many of Winny O’s questions were unexpected and somewhat unnerving.”
“Like when she started asking about the requirements of Grand’s inheritance or if you’d ever been in love?”
“Exactly.” Gabe shook his head in silence for a moment remembering how uncomfortable he’d been sharing his personal life with Winny O’s international audience.
“That’s understandable.” Jack spoke as he looked across the wide waterway, before turning his gaze back at Gabe.
Gabe peered over at his brother, and grimaced at the calculated look in his eyes. “What?”
Jack stood there for a moment longer before he spoke. “Just wondering if you’ve decided to agree to Grand’s terms so you can get your inheritance?”
Steering the yacht forward, Gabe sighed as he saw Walker’s Island in the distance. A wave of longing rose up on the inside to own the one piece of land that had given him a sense of belonging and been a huge part of his childhood. Was the price of marriage worth it?
“To my way of thinking, Grand made the price a little too high for his great-grandsons to receive their inheritance.” Gabe expelled a breath frustrated that marriage was being forced on him.
“Yeah, I understand how you feel.” Jack’s half smile played around the corners of his mouth. “I was annoyed too when I first realized in order to get my hands on that silver mine, I would need to marry.”
“What made you decide it was worth the price?”
“I was desperate to own the mine and to discover the treasures inside it. Grand convinced me those treasures were there when I was just a boy. Turns out, he was right.”
Gabe nodded, thinking of how only a few months ago Jack and his team of miners had discovered a deep strain of silver and a little later had found a strain of gold.
“But the biggest treasure was marrying Bella.” Jack smiled the same sappy smile he’d had on his face since he married his wife a year ago.
“Well not all of us can be lucky enough to have a marriage turn out as well as yours.” Gabe was happy for his older brother, but at the same time the fact that he had to marry made him feel trapped. If he were honest, it was fear of getting too close and being vulnerable to a woman again that had him real worried.
“We definitely didn’t begin by thinking our marriage would work. If you remember, Bella and I agreed to a marriage-of-convenience right from the start. The only reason we agreed was because we both benefited. Our marriage certainly hasn’t been without it’s difficult moments, but we fell in love and we’re very blessed to have each other. Who’s to say you won’t find a woman who’ll be the right person for you too?” Jack persisted in his usual way, trying to dig out the problems and fix them.
“I just don’t know, Jack. I’ve become very wary of women, just from my experiences in the past. Especially those who have tried to get close to me in order to get what they want.” Gabe tried to shake off the terrible memories.
“I understand. I have vivid memories of what that’s like from my first marriage.” Jack hesitated. His brother’s brow puckered and Gabe could only imagine the unpleasant memories that surfaced. He remembered Elin and the abrupt way she’d rejected Jack after he arrived home with a scar. She hadn’t even cared about the fact that her husband had received the scar because he’d heroically saved a teenager from being kidnapped by a human trafficking gang. A short time later, Jack’s wife and unborn son had died suddenly in a car accident.
“I know you do, man. Sorry you had to go through all that.” Gabe was amazed that even though his brother went through so many difficulties he’d kept his fighting spirit.
Jack hesitated for a moment before continuing, “But, regardless of my own doubts that I would find a woman I could trust, I found someone to marry who is amazing and who I love with all my heart. I think you owe it to yourself to see if there is someone out there for you. Great Grandfather believed that finding a wife was a good thing, and that included each of his great-grandsons. I’ve come to believe he was on to something.”
Jack bumped Gabe’s shoulder in a familiar camaraderie like when they were kids.
Gabe expelled a deep sigh realizing that it was time for him to make a decision. “Maybe you’re right. Like you and Adam, maybe I’ll find a woman who will agree to a marriage-of-convenience. I might take a page from your book and see what happens.”
“Now you’re talkin’.” Jack clapped him on the back. “You never know, Gabe. Maybe love is waiting for you just around the corner.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. But, we’ll see what happens.” Gabe still had serious doubts that there was an unattached female anywhere whom he would trust enough to marry. But, he was willing to do a marriage-of-convenience. That way if they had no emotional ties, after one year they could part ways with no hard feelings.
Gabe was suddenly pulled out of his reverie by the loud belly laughter behind them. Jack hurried back to the salon where his nine month old son Walker was having fun with his cousin Daniel.
Seeing mom sitting on the floor of the salon, and his family gathered nearby stirred a new warmth inside him. His brothers wives Elle and Bella were enjoying a cup of tea, laughing and talking together. His younger brothers Luke and Zach were playing chess. Granddad dozed while Grandmom was busy crocheting another set of baby socks.
He couldn’t deny the longing that rose up inside him to have a family someday.
Gabe looked at the horizon and saw Walker’s Island in the distance. He had convinced his brothers and their wives, his grandparents and his mom to join him to visit the Island and take a look at Grand’s old Hunting Lodge. He needed to get a feel for the place and see what needed to be fixed up. His plan was to live there again for a little while, taking a break from his fast paced schedule.
Focusing he steered his large Yacht closer to Walker’s Island.
As the pier drew near, he slowed down the engine until he could swing up next to the dock. He was thankful that years ago, Grand had built a sturdy and long pier so that large boats could set down anchor near the island.
After they stopped, he walked with his family down the dock towards the sandy beach.
He could see the chimney top of Grand’s Hunting Lodge straight ahead behind rows of tall trees that circled Walker’s Island.
His family started walking along the path that led to Walker Stevenson’s place.
All of a sudden loud barks were heard followed by splashing sounds.
Gabe turned back to glance at the beach. He saw two dogs running along the water’s edge chasing each other. A young woman stood in the water with her hands on her hips. Her long blond ponytail flowed in the wind and her bubbling laughter caught his attention.
For a moment he stood mesmerized, staring at the beautiful woman in front of him.
Rory Shepard.
Memories flooded him about the last time he’d seen her. She’d been sixteen and he’d been on the Island enjoying two weeks that summer with Grand. At the time, he’d been so busy with college and starting his business, that he hadn’t taken the time to really appreciate those around him. Gabe regretted it later, as that had been the last summer he enjoyed time on the Island with Grand before he passed away.
They had a picnic on the beach with Grand, Rory and her three aunts. Later on they all went sailing. Gabe had taught Rory how to sail and he’d been able to get close to her. She was beautiful, even back then. But she was naive and too trusting of others, including him. He’d been attracted to her back then and for that reason he’d sent her a note that he couldn’t make it for their last time sailing together.
He had left the Island with Grand the next day.
Regret coiled like a snake in his stomach at how shabbily he’d treated her. Since he felt like he couldn’t admit his attraction to her, he’d just left. Now, looking back he saw the way he left suddenly as the cowards way out that it was.
Gabe had always thought of Rory as a little sister. They weren’t related, but all those summers on the Island when
he’d taught her snorkeling, to fishing and sailing made him feel like an older brother.
That had changed when he saw that summer when she was sixteen and that she had blossomed into a beautiful woman. He’d felt himself drawn to her in a way he’d never felt before or since.
That new attraction had scared him. He’d left Walker’s Island for fear that if he stayed, he would give into his desires.
Back then he thought more about how he could protect himself rather than what others needed.
Rory had always been someone who thought of others before herself.
Her selfless giving was what had always captivated him. Not only that, but her beautiful face and form.
That summer she’d told him that someday she wanted a family of her own to love. He couldn’t believe how naive she was about love, or was it that he was cynical?
The corners of his lips turned up as he remembered and without conscious thought, Gabe began walking towards her.
Rory was standing in a small inlet of water surrounded by trees. She was pulling up green plants from under the water and tossing them into a bucket at her side.
Gabe walked until he stood behind her. He had to admit he enjoyed the view. He grinned. “You still love searching for plants and sea critters, I see.”
Rory looked up startled at the sound of his voice and fell backwards into the water.
He hurried over and reached out his hands to pull her up. Guilt flooded his senses at being the one responsible for startling her and causing her to fall in the water.
Her eyes widened as she stared at him, unmoving. Then, hesitantly she reached up with one hand while her other hand clutched long green seaweeds to her chest. As Gabe pulled her out of the water, he tugged a little too hard and Rory fell against his chest.
“Sorry.” Gabe held her wet, shivering body close to his. He looked down into the same beautiful violet blue eyes that he remembered from years ago.
“Gabe. You came back.” Rory breathed out his name as she clung to him. Long, dark eyelashes encircled her violet eyes, like sparkling diamonds in the morning sun.
Holding her so close was doing crazy things to his heart. The urge to lower his head and touch his lips to hers was almost overpowering. The loud barking of both dogs surprised him.
Rory quickly stepped back and out of his arms.
A sudden sense of loss filled him.
“Latte and Mocha, hush.” She patted the tops of their heads when they obeyed her command.
Rory tossed the dripping seaweed into the bucket beside her and wiped her hands on the drying cloth tucked into the waistband of her shorts.
Peering up at him she asked, “Are you back to stay?”
Rory’s face seemed to cloud with a mixture anger and fear. Gabe resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her. He hesitated. “For a few weeks anyway. Grand decided Walker’s Island was to be part of my inheritance, so I thought I’d fix up the Hunting Lodge.”
“Sorry to hear about your great grandfather’s passing. I adored that man. He will be missed.”
“He always thought well of you and your three aunts.”
“I’m glad. We thought the world of him too.” Rory’s eyes had turned a little misty as they talked about Grand and she looked away. Warmth flooded him. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman of his acquaintance had been moved to tears from the passing of someone she loved. Her simple and honest emotions were refreshing.
Rory crossed her arms over her chest a furrow forming between her eyebrows. “Years ago you left the island without saying a proper goodbye. You still owe me a morning on your sailboat.”
Heat crawled up his neck to his cheeks as he remembered. “Sorry about not saying goodbye, Rory. You have every right to be angry.” He grimaced and knew he had to try to make it up to her. “Can I take you sailing at the usual time on Friday?”
She shivered and rubbed her wet arms, taking a long time to answer him. “I suppose. I’m not so sure just one sailing trip will make up for it. But it’s a start.”
Gabe laughed realizing that he probably did owe her more than one day sailing. “We’ll plan for a few trips then how does that sound?”
“Much better.” Rory shivered and rubbed her arms.
“You’re freezing. Here, let me help.” Gabe quickly pulled off his hoodie and slipped it around her shivering body. “If your aunts are home tomorrow, I was planning to stop by. Grand had something he wanted me to give them.”
Rory smiled. “Oh, I’ve no doubt my three aunts will be happy to see you. Why don’t you stop by for lunch at noon?” She picked up her pail of seaweed, holding it in front of her, placing distance between them.
“I’ll do that.”
“Good.” She pulled the hoodie tighter around herself before turning to look at him. “I must get home. My aunts will be wondering what kept me so long. See you tomorrow. ” Rory nodded and hurried away, her dogs following her every step.
Gabe watched her slender figure as she hurried along the trail, her dogs at her side. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. But, there was something else. Something had changed. It was like a cloud of fear hung over her.
He didn’t know what had happened in the almost five years since he’d last seen Rory, but he was determined to find out.
As he began walking back to Grand’s Hunting Lodge Gabe found himself looking forward to see Rory again. He stopped suddenly, vivid memories of the naive little girl pestering him with questions and showing him her latest find on the beach.
He shook his head from side to side. A voice in his head spoke up. Gabe, she’s not that little girl anymore. Now Rory has become a beautiful woman. Admit it, you are still attracted to her.
Awareness filled his thoughts. He would need to be careful not to act on his attraction to Rory, especially since it seemed they were going to in one another’s company at least a little bit in the next couple weeks.
Chapter Two
Hurrying along the winding dirt trail that led back home, Rory thought of Gabe. She shivered, but this time it wasn’t from the cold. This time she trembled as she remembered being held in Gabe Stevenson’s arms.
When he’d pulled her up out of the water and held her close, she’d all but melted. Her heart beat accelerated and warm tingles ran the length of her body at his touch.
As she stared into his vivid blue eyes, she’d glimpsed his look of surprise and something more. His gaze began to lower to her lips before he suddenly stopped himself and stepped away.
For years she had dreamed of Gabe’s kisses, but knew he looked on her more as a little sister than as a woman he could date.
Well, maybe it was better this way.
She didn’t need the added worry of something happening to another person she’d come to love.
Hurrying up the steps to the backdoor of their cottage, she walked inside.
“Rory there you are. We were all set to come looking for you.” Aunt Florrie’s slender form bustled back and forth between the stove and the mixer. Her aunt was a whirlwind who loved to be either in the kitchen cooking or outside gardening.
“Aunt Florrie I was just getting more seaweed. It’s a sunny day for it.” Rorie kissed her on the cheek and breathed deeply of the chicken and vegetable soup. “Dinner smells so good.”
“It’ll be finished soon. I’ll turn the pot down to simmer so we can set the seaweed in the pans to dry in the backyard.”
“Thanks. I’ll go find Aunt Merrie and see if she has time to help.” Rory grabbed one of the sliced carrots and popped it into her mouth. She had just turned around to head for the stairs, when Aun
t Fawn stood in front of her leaning heavily on her cane. Aunt Fawn was the oldest of her three aunts. They had just celebrated Aunt Fawn’s sixtieth birthday. This past year she’d suffered more health problems with her rheumatism flaring up at different times. Rory didn’t like to ask her aunt for help for fear it would make things worse. Yet, because of her aunt’s ailments she was constantly worried about everyone else’s health. “Oh my dear, you’re all wet. You should go change so you don’t catch your death.”
Rorie leaned close and kissed Aunt Fawn’s soft cheek feeling. “I’ll do that, Auntie. Be back soon.”
She hurried up the stairs to her bedroom and slipped out of her wet clothes and into her practical work sweatshirt and jeans. She couldn’t get her mind off of Gabe Stevenson. No big surprise there. After all these years, he never left her thoughts for long.
Walking over to her writing desk she glanced at the index cards and notebooks filed with story ideas. She turned to the bookshelf and ran a finger along the row of romance books she’d written, evidence of Gabe’s influence on her life. Her attraction to Gabe had given her a way to express her longing for love through writing, even though she couldn’t have the man himself.
She sighed.
Now, Gabe was back on the Island to stay for a few weeks. How would she be able to be near Gabe without revealing her attraction to him?
You’ll simply need to guard your heart and not let Gabe get too close. You can do this. The voice in her head sounded very confident. Hopefully she’d be able to keep her distance from him.
Yet how could she keep her distance and at the same time ask for his help? She really needed his help to figure out who was behind all the strange incidents that had been happening on the Island.
Biting her lip, she thought of her three aunts. She really needed to protect them. They refused to leave Walker’s Island because they loved it here. It was their home and they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
After all, they had only moved here because of Rory. They had been trying to protect their niece.
The Billionaire's Marriage Promise Page 2