“I don’t think I’ve had delicious food like this for a long time.” Gabe savored each bite.
“Me either. This is wonderful. Gabe I want to thank you for bringing Mrs. O’Toole to us. My taste-buds thank you.” Rory savored each bite.
He grinned. “You’re welcome.”
They didn’t talk much during the meal it was just so delicious.
As soon as they finished eating, Gabe asked her. “Did you get a chance to look through the bags of dried sea plants that arrived yesterday?”
“Yes. They look really good. I already sent an email to Maria to thank her and her family for hand harvesting such high quality sea plants. She replied back and said her and her family were grateful for this work. She said they got the payment we sent. Maria told me her parents were so happy for the income because now her brothers and little sisters would be able to go to school to make something of themselves. I was encouraged by her email.” Rory took a sip of water, looking at Gabe thoughtfully.
“You’ve really helped Maria and her family. You’ve done something wonderful to help others Rory. Not that I’m surprised. You are a very compassionate and thoughtful woman, you always have been.” Gabe reached over and held her hand rubbing his thumb along the top of her hand.
Rory noticed he was doing that a lot more lately. Touching her back, holding her hand or kissing her forehead. Warmth spread from her toes upwards as memories surfaced of the many different ways Gabe treated her with gentleness.
He was only being kind and gentle with her. She had convinced herself he didn’t mean anything more by it. If she started to hope for more and it wasn’t true, she’d crumble.
Forcing a smile she talked about her plans for later in the day. “I’m excited to mix the next batch of the skin care formula today.” Rory had a list as long as her arm of things to do.
“You have an eager waiting list?”
She thought of the long list of names she had on her computer. “Yes. Over a hundred women eagerly waiting their skin care products. I’ll need to bring the boxes with me for the Saturday’s Market so people can get what they ordered.” Rory realized she would need to work fast to get this all done in time.
“We can do that. We’ll need to leave in a couple days so that we’re in Seattle for Friday for the day with my family and the benefit gala. Then it shouldn’t be a problem to stop by to deliver your products on Saturday.” Gabe tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe you’ll need extra help before long.”
“Maybe at some point. I’m okay for right now.” Rory had always been able to handle multi-tasking, but she wondered if this time she had bitten off more than she could chew. “Well, fingers crossed that I will have this all completed in two days.”
“You’ll be able to do get it done, no problem. But before we both get to work, I thought we could walk to the construction site. I wanted to show you around.” Gabe blue eyes held hers as he waited for her answer.
Rory nodded and smiled unable to resist spending time with him. “That would be fun. I’d love that.”
It seemed Gabe was beginning to like spending time with her. Her hope was for it to continue.
“This is where we’ll build the Health Spa. It’ll be like an extension to the large Hotel.” Gabe put his hand on the small of her back as they walked together following the stakes with red flags that were in the ground.
Gabe wanted to show Rory the Resort area that was now under construction. He couldn’t explain this longing he had for Rory see and hopefully appreciate the long-time dream he’d had that was just now beginning to see the light of day.
Around them there were at least a dozen men and women with hard hats on their heads all of who were busy measuring wood and hammering together the framed building of the small hotel.
“Mocha and Latte.” Rory called her dogs and they ran to her quickly.
Loud machinery and hammering along with many voices surrounded them, and the dogs quivered a little at the sound.
“The dogs are a scared. There’s more activity here this month than Walker’s Island has seen in a year. I think it’s throwing them off their game a little.” Rory patted their heads and they seemed to calm a little.
Gabe reached down to pat their heads, knowing her dogs were unsure of him still. “Your so good with them. They seem to shy away from me.”
“They just need time to get used to you, Gabe. Keep petting them and playing with them. They’ll warm up to you.” Rory reassured him. He really wanted to get to know her dogs better. The furry creatures had become her friends over the last few years and Gabe hoped to grow to love them like she did.
He grimaced. “I hope so Rory. I haven’t had a dog since I was in grade school. I might need a little practice.”
“No worries. Dogs are patient. They must be, or why else would they be called a man’s best friend?” She giggled at him.
“You got me there.” Gabe grinned and winked at her.
He loved it when they bantered good-naturedly back and forth. It reminded him of their summers together. It was great that they could return so quickly to the friendship they had back then. Suddenly he felt an uncomfortable twinge. He couldn’t deny that now that he’d been with Rory for a couple of weeks, he was beginning to want a lot more than friendship.
How was he going to deal with that?
Rory sighed. “I’m sorry, I interrupted you with my talk of dogs. Please go on.”
Gabe chuckled. “I don’t mind.” They walked a little further and he began to point out how the Resort and Health Spa would be connected and the benefits for all the people who stayed here.
“I can hear the passion in your voice.” She expelled a happy sigh. “Now that you’ve explained where all these buildings will be built, I can see it in my mind’s eye. It looks great. Gabe I’m so excited for you. This resort and health spa will be amazing.”
“I hope so, but I think the Health Spa will be missing something unless you contribute.”
“What?” Rory turned to him, her eyes widening at the thought. “In what way could I possibly add anything that you don’t already have?”
“Your organic skincare products, of course.” Gabe chuckled shaking his head at her. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead, the rumble of laughter still in his chest. “Rory, you seem to be only thinking about offering your skin care products at the local farmer’s markets, am I right?”
“Well, yes. I mean, I started making it to help my aunts. But then folks at the Paradise Lake farmer’s market became interested in the sea plant based formula, so I started to make more. But I never thought it would go further than that.” Rory looked at him her eyes wide. “I guess I’m just surprised that you would add my skin care products to your luxury health spa.
“You my darling wife have created an organic skin care line that people are clamoring for, and it seems you’re the only one who doesn’t know it.” Gabe shook his head still grinning.
Rory was one-of-a-kind. Naively she only thought that people around the small town would be interested in what she had to offer. But he knew better. He’d seen people from one end of the country to the other, and he knew there would be a lot more people who would love the products she formulated.
“Maybe.” Her brow puckered, and she looked doubtful. “But, I have to admit I’m surprised and amazed that you would add my products to your Health Spa that caters to people who insist on luxury and pampering.”
“You have created something that many ladies will consider a luxury and they will feel pampered once they try it.” He spoke from a confidence born of experience.
She shrugged and grinned at him. “Well, if you think it’s a good idea, then I’d be very pleased to add my products.”
“I know this might feel overwhelming.” He tugged her hand and pulled her beside him. “Come a little closer and I’ll explain the planned layout of the place.”
He pointed to the many stakes in the ground inviting her to imagine with him. “In the front will
be the reception area with a nice bright and sunny feel to it. Behind that will be the different areas, like a salt-scrub bar to exfoliate your skin, two steam rooms and two sauna rooms. Also of course lounge chairs both outside and inside where people can sit and read in between steam sessions. And, right next door will be a tea room for people to enjoy after they’ve been through the spa. So what do you think?”
Gabe’s blue eyes crinkled down at her, feeling happiness bubble inside him as he imagined how it would look when it was finished. Rory giggled softly. “I’m thrilled you are so eager for this project to become reality. I believe this will be the best health spa around. You’ve thought of everything. And all the people that come to the Island will realize how well you’ve planned this and will love it.”
“I think so too. As soon as they have the small hotel framed in they are going to begin over here with the Health Spa. I can hardly wait for them to start.” He looked around feeling satisfied with the progress that was being made on this project.
He started walking, enjoying Rory’s closeness beside him.
“You’re like a kid on Christmas morning.” Her violet eyes danced.
“I have to admit, I am. I’ve dreamed about doing something like this, ever since I was in middle school and Grand started bringing me to the Island in the summer.” Gabe looked toward the beach as memories flooded him. “A Hotel and Resort to help people find joy again, was only the beginning. The fuller picture came later. After my Dad passed away, I thought about the idea for the Health Spa and realized this resort wouldn’t be complete without it. People need a way to get rid of stress, find peace, be refreshed and get a new perspective for their lives. If my Dad would’ve had a similar type of support, I’m convinced he would still be alive today. But that was not to be.”
“I’m sorry Gabe. You lost your dad far too young.” Rory eyes held a shine of tears. “I remember the summer that your Dad died, because you didn’t come to the Island. Your great-grandfather told my aunts what happened. I remember saying a prayer for you and hoping you would return the next summer. And you did, but you were still going through so much pain.”
“Those were very difficult years.” Gabe tucked her hand in his as they walked. “You helped me get through them.”
She squeezed his hand. He knew she was trying to offer what comfort she could.
“I helped you? What did I do?” Looking back Rory thought she’d only been a pest. Always asking Gabe questions and following him around like a puppy.
Gabe grinned. “You kept talking to me and asking me questions. You didn’t let me wallow in my own sorrow. Because you were there, I needed to talk and that really helped heal my heartache.”
“I didn’t realize that. I’m glad if I was able to help, even a little.”
They had reached the beach where they used to spend so much time together. Mocha and Latte ran along the water’s edge chasing each other. In this moment Gabe felt a closeness to Rory he hadn’t felt before.
“Thanks for telling me. It helps me understand a little more about your passion behind building the resort and health spa.” Rory looked over at him.
He said, “I’m not the only one who lost a parent, Rory. You lost both of your parents and at such a tender age. I still remember you came to the Island scared and shaking.”
“Yes. I was terrified. I had just lost both my parents and in my child-like mind, I couldn’t understand why they abandoned me.” Rory blinked trying to force the tears to go away. “But then you came along. You helped me to not be so scared anymore.”
Gabe stopped her suddenly.
He looked up at the tree, pointing his finger to the spot they’d carved their names. “When I first saw you, you were six years old and so scared you were shaking. Do you remember what I told you?”
Rory smiled, the memory as fresh now as it was back then. “You told me that this tree was a special. It had roots that went down the deepest of all the trees on the Island. You said if we both carved our names together into the tree, the Island would remember us and we would build deep roots here and be safe. I believed you.”
“Did you feel safer?”
“I did, but I think it was because you were there that made me feel safe. Somewhere in my little girls heart, I knew I could trust you.” Rory reached up and traced a finger along each of their names. “And you proved that again when you promised you would marry me if I was still scared when I grew up.”
“And here we are.” Gabe focused his gaze on Rory, thinking how lucky he was.
“Yes, here we are years later.”
“And we still have another fear to tackle — or at least the person who is causing it.” He tucked her blond hair behind her ears, worry for Rory’s safety niggling at him. Someone hurting his wife, was one of his worst fears.
“But we will.” She lowered her hand from the tree and looked at him. “Besides that’s not the only kind of fears we have in life. Sometimes the biggest fear in of all is about us being willing to take a risk and let ourselves get close to someone else.”
Without thinking, Gabe took a step closer to her. “Rory you’re the best thing that’s every happened to me.” He leaned his head down his forehead touching hers. “Maybe we should take that risk right now.” He looked at Rory and seeing a shine in her violet eyes, he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Leaning down he pressed his lips against her sweet fullness, loving the feel of her in his arms.
Molding his lips to hers, he pressed in deeper. He couldn’t get enough of her sweetness.
Something tapped his arm and he tried to shove it away. Just as quickly, something pressed against him again. He pulled back from Rory and saw Mocha and Latte standing on their hind legs pressing their large paws against his arm.
Rory giggled. “They want to play with you.”
Gabe shook his head with a grin. “They want to play right now?” He looked at Rory and grabbed her hand. “I was enjoying the best kiss ever and I’m interrupted by dogs who want to play. Next time, we’re going to go somewhere where there will be no interruptions.”
Rory kissed his cheek quickly before turning to Latte and Mocha who waited patiently. “But for now we can play with the dogs.” Rory chased them along the beach and threw a stick to Latte and Mocha.
Gabe stared after Rory the corners of his mouth upturned. There would never be a dull moment with Rory as his wife, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
Chapter Twelve
Rory sat beside Eliza Stevenson in the steam room of Seattle’s Beauty Spa, her head against the wood. On her other side were Elle and Bella and Catherine Stevenson.
She was trying desperately to relax, but the tense morning she’d had with Gabe was making it impossible.
They had been so close last night as they walked on the beach, but he had already started to pull away from her this morning. She had been entered the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. He had said a quick good morning and then went to his office to do some work. Then, when it had been time to go, he’d told her his driver would take her to the Health Spa. He had given her what seemed like a forced smile, and sent her on her way.
Rory sighed. Maybe all she needed to do was talk to him. Then everything between them would be good again.
It had felt so good that they were growing closer. She didn’t want to lose what they had. Someone patted her knee interrupting her reverie.
“I’m sorry, what’s that?”
“I said this is perfect. I feel like my pores are getting the cleaning they’ve deserved for a long time.” Eliza patted Rory’s knee. “What about you my dear? How are you feeling with all this heat and steam?”
Rory grimaced and leaned over, “This is my first time trying this. But, I think I could get used to this. My skin feels so soft and moist.”
Eliza chuckled gently. “Well, we’ll need to do this again then. What do you think Bella and Elle?”
“I’m definitely coming back. This is perfect and so nice to have Jack
at home taking care of our son.” Bella sighed contentedly.
“I could get used to this too. With baby number two on the way, I could get used to having some time away relaxing like this.” Elle looked over at Rory. “You might feel the same way Rory, once you have your first baby.”
Heat flew up to her cheeks at Elle’s words. “You might be right.” She was already hot from the steam, so she hoped they wouldn’t see that Elle’s words flustered her. Gabe and her were in a marriage-of-convenience, but Elle didn’t know that.
If she would’ve been asked yesterday, she would have said if Gabe’s kisses were any indication there was hope that their fake marriage would become a real marriage after all. She had even dreamed of his kisses last night and had woke up feeling happy that Gabe was opening up to her.
Then this morning there was a chill in the air as far as Gabe was concerned, that it seemed all the closeness they’d been building toward, melted.
“It’s too early for that. They’re just married. Let them get used to each other first before you bring babies into the picture.” Catherine spoke from her place on the side of the steam room. “But that being said, you know Granddad and I and your mom are more than happy to include as many grand babies in the Stevenson family as you want to give us.”
“I’ll remember that.” Rory was sure her cheeks were flaming red by now. All their talk of babies and was only making her more flustered.
She was relieved when a quiet timer went off signaling it was time to leave the steam room.
They each took a light shower and then applied cold towels to their bodies and met in the lounge room. Here they were going to have facials and manicures and pedicures.
Rory was once more seated beside Gabe’s mom. Each of them had a female therapist who gave them a facial treatment. The cleansing cream felt wonderful on Rory’s skin. After that treatment was done, they each put cold slices of cucumber on their eyes and rested with their heads back on the lounge chairs.
The Billionaire's Marriage Promise Page 14