by Asrai Devin
“I’m wonderful. All three of my favorite people are here. What more could I want? Oh, let me take your coat. Shanna, honestly, have you forgotten how to host a guest?”
“I know where to hang my coat. I kept it because I have something in my pocket.”
“What’s that?” Rita asked.
“A gift for Shanna. I bought it for her as a late graduation present but I never found the right moment. I found it earlier in the week.” He pulled it out of his pocket and held out the black box to her.
Rita and Bryce made sounds of wonder. Shanna frowned and snatched it from his hand.
“Shanna,” Rita admonished.
“She’s grumpy with me. I was teasing her outside and she didn’t take it well. I should have kept quiet.”
“Shanna’s loved you since she was a girl.”
“Mom!” Shanna protested. She shook her head and popped open the box.
Gabe had been staring at the contents for several days. He’d been visiting with his mom a couple of years ago, and they wandered into a jewelry store. While they browsed, he spotted the set. The box he'd brought tonight had a long chain holding a gold teardrop pendant with a solitary diamond in the middle. He couldn’t recall the karat of the diamond any longer, it didn’t matter. For some reason, he knew he wanted Shanna to have it. But for the next nearly two years, he’d never found an occasion to give it to her. It was too intimate for a graduation present. After that, Trenton was always by her side, glaring at Gabe.
Rita sidled up to her daughter and angled her head so she could see it. “Gabe, it’s lovely.”
Shanna swallowed and met his eyes. “It is,” she said in a whisper. “I don’t know―”
He shook his head and crossed to her. He took the box from her hands and removed the necklace from its trappings. “Let’s see how it looks on you,” he said, his heart in his throat.
“I was going to say that I don’t know what to say.” She turned her back to him. He wrapped it around her, fastening it, then letting it drop.
Shanna adjusted it around her neck and turned back. “You look beautiful.”
She touched it. “I thought it might be heavy, but it’s light. Is it real?”
“Real diamond. I hope it says in the box something about the diamond, I’ve forgotten what they told me. I bought it when I went to visit my mom sometime ago.”
Gabe recalled that they were not the only ones in the room. Rita and Bryce were watching the exchange. Shanna must have recalled as well, because her face flushed and she stepped back. “Thank you so much,” she said, touching it again.
Rita’s voice broke in. “Let me see, darling.” Shanna turned. “Oh, that’s the most lovely thing I’ve seen. Bryce, Dad isn’t much of a jewelry buyer.”
“There’s too many choices and I dunno what you’d like most,” Bryce mumbled.
They laughed and Gabe returned to his spot on the love seat. Rita perched on the chair arm beside her husband, and Shanna was left to choose between sitting beside Gabe and the sofa across the room. She sat beside Gabe, still playing with the pendant.
He smiled at her a moment before turning to her parents. He launched into a discussion with Rita and Bryce, pretending as if everything were normal. As if he wasn’t dying to pull her into his arms and kiss the hell out of her.
* * *
Because of the time difference and family obligations, Shanna had to put off her friend's response to her jealousy inquiry. "Call me," was what Carmen said. Shanna replied she would, as soon as she had a free moment.
That turned out to be Monday evening. Shanna sat on the back porch while she called. She hung her legs off the side and let the neighborhood sounds filter over her. There was the occasional car, but it wasn't constant traffic. There were voices, and laughter and the smell of outdoors and backyard fires.
"What's happening, bitch?" Carmen answered.
"Oh you know, back in Alberta, filling in for my Dad while he's recovering from his heart attack."
"I know, I heard. I also heard that Trenton's replaced you with Kendall Cooper."
"Just for the next week and just at the office.”
"Okay, so explain this whole not-jealous thing again to me."
"Look, strict confidence. You remember me telling you about the older guy I had a crush on for forever, Gabe?"
"Older, hot guy you kissed a few years ago and he said no. Yeah, but only because you showed me his picture and I would not forgot that face. That and you mention him like all the time, unless Trenton is around, because you are still totally hot for him."
"Yeah that one." Fuck, was she that transparent? "He's been making noises that he'd like to be more than friends."
"He knows you are practically engaged to Trenton?"
"That’s the next part. Okay, so I asked Trenton if he ever kissed anyone else while we dated. He told me he kissed and almost got back with his ex, Micaden."
"God, why would he choose her over you?"
"Apparently, both their families expected it. Anyway, I didn't care, I don't care in the least that he kissed someone else, that he almost went back to her. In fact, I may wish he had gotten back with her. Is that like fucked up or really fucked up?"
"It's not a good sign, I'll tell you, babe. I like that you managed to justify that you kissed hot Gabe and not feel guilty about it. Good on you."
"I didn't kiss Gabe."
"Oh, you did so, or you wouldn't be asking Trenton if he's ever kissed someone else."
Shanna considered for a moment maybe she needed therapy. "Yeah, fine. I'll give you that."
"What did you tell Trenton?"
"That it was a friend having a similar problem. It's not like I'm married to Trenton."
Carmen made a strangled sound. “He believed that?”
“Should I be surprised that he did?”
"Maybe. Here's a question for you to ponder. If you found Trenton with Kendall while you were gone, would you be upset? Or would you view it as justification to do what you wanted and move to Alberta and be with Gabe?"
"I'd be upset. Trenton all but proposed to me Saturday night. We've had four years. He's good and stable."
"Really? You think you'd be upset? It sounds as though you are saying that. I don’t think you feel it."
"Well, I think I'd be upset. It's not as if I can predict how I feel based on a hypothetical situation."
"If I were you, I'd move back to Alberta, become head of a company and marry the guy of my dreams. That's just me."
"He was the guy of my dreams. Now Trenton is."
"Okay. Then marry Trenton. Can I marry Gabe?"
"No."
Carmen laughed. She had a throaty, sexy laugh that made Shanna jealous. "Right. I'll leave you with that then. Have a good evening, Shanna. And don't stay away too long, I wouldn't trust Kendall Cooper. She's a bit of a snake."
"Goodnight Carmen. If you ever need to vent, feel free to call me."
Carmen ended the call.
She swung her legs a few times. The conversation brought up a bunch of things she did not want to think about. Perhaps she and Trenton had hit the point where she felt comfortable; where she didn't need to get jealous because she trusted him so completely.
Why then did the image of Gabe with someone else bother her so much?
She didn't have an answer. Across the fence she could see Mrs. Victor in the backyard. Shanna waved at her neighbor. "Isn't it beautiful out?" she called as she crossed toward the fence.
"We heard you were back in town, Shanna. How is your Dad feeling?"
"He's good. He has to take it easy for a while. You know Dad, not much will keep him out of the office."
"So are you back for good?"
"No, no. A quick visit while I fill in for Dad at work. I have to go back to my boyfriend and job in Toronto on the weekend."
"I'm sure your folks are sorry to see you go. How is your boyfriend? Trent, wasn't it?"
"Trenton. He's good. We are talking about marriage,
starting a family."
"You going to stay in that big city and raise kids? Sounds stuffy. Unhealthy with all those cars and high-rise apartments."
"Maybe we'll buy a house and move to the suburbs."
“What about being close to your parents? They miss you.”
Mrs. Victor did have her with that one. The longer she was away, the more she missed her mom’s comfort and her dad’s wisdom. Trenton’s parents weren’t exactly the warm, cookie-baking, weekend barbecue type. They were too busy with fund-raisers for universities and getting spa treatments.
She cleared her throat. “The city is not so bad.”
"I'd rather raise them somewhere like here. Less cars, less noise, less pollution. And they can head down the street to the park alone and you know your neighbors will be watching. With your family around.”
"I know. There are lots of advantages. But in the city we have the zoo and museums and science centers..."
"Kids don't need more structure, they need less. I saw on the news the other day that in lots of these urban places, kids don't even know where their food comes from; that vegetables are grown in the ground. Will you get enough yard in that city to have a garden like your mom always plants?"
"I'm not really the gardening type. They could garden with her when they visit." God, why was she arguing this with her seventy-year-old neighbor? She didn't need to justify anything to her. "I'll consider your words, Mrs. Victor."
"Fair enough, dear."
"I had better get back inside."
"Goodnight dear."
"Night, ma'am."
Shanna retreated inside. Her mom was standing near the patio doors. "What were you talking with Mrs. Victor about? I haven't seen her flail her arms like that since she argued with your dad over politics during the last election."
Shanna laughed. "She was telling me that Toronto is no place to raise children. Do you think if I married Trenton and raised kids in the city they'd turn out okay?"
"Well, there's nothing like a small town for raising kids. Of course, I’d like you and any grandchildren to be closer.” She patted her daughter’s shoulder. “Lots of kids are raised in the city, in condos and they turn out fine.”
Shanna’s heart clenched. She blinked back unwelcome tears at the thought of raising kids so far from her parents.
When her emotions had cleared, she managed to keep her voice calm. "Mmm. I guess I should go finish my summary for Trenton."
"All right, dear. I'll bring you some tea. You should get to bed early tonight. You've been running on empty the past few days, working the Cabinets during the day and your Toronto job at night."
"Things will slow down a bit this week. Trenton hired someone for the office for the rest of the week, someone who can take over my usual jobs. He wanted to take some stress off me."
"That was nice of him."
Shanna patted her mom's shoulder then went up the stairs to her bedroom. As she sat at her old desk, waiting for the computer to boot, she thought about raising kids in the city versus a smaller town. Score one more point for home, she thought bitterly. She'd never imagined raising children in a big city, without the big backyard for them to play in. So she could either get a bigger backyard and force Trenton to commute into the city, or she'd have no backyard.
Chapter 8
Shanna double clicked an accounting file she'd found in her father's documents labeled personal. She knew she probably shouldn't snoop, but she couldn't help it. The company did well. The early days hadn't been easy, but the company had more than twenty-five years. In fact, they were planning their thirty-year promotions for a couple of years down the road.
She played with the pendant on the necklace Gabe had given her on the weekend. It was beautiful, she had to admit. Gabe knew how to shop. This morning he'd left a coffee and a to-do list on her desk, and she hadn't seen him yet. It was nearly noon now. His absence had only made her think more about him.
She sat up straight and grabbed the mouse. She found the total amount in their bank accounts with a few clicks. That didn't even include the property values or other investments.
Holy shit.
She counted digits, seven digits that began with a five.
What? A checking account, savings, investments, properties with money owing. Why didn't she know they owned property? Several properties. Two listed Gabriel Brande as co owner.
Her parents were worth millions.
She closed the file and shoved away from the desk. A knock on the door startled her, and before she could say anything, the door opened. There was the man himself standing in the doorway.
He rushed to her side, putting his papers on the desk. "Are you okay?"
She closed her hanging mouth. "Yeah,.I found out my parents are really rich."
"Is that a problem?"
"It's strange. I thought Dad did well... I mean, he did pay for my entire college education including room and board with no loans. But they own property. They have investments all over the place. I haven't added it all up."
"Bryce never told you any of this?"
"No. Not a word about anything. What do you own with them?"
"The apartments and the land."
"What land?"
"Outside of town. Your dad bought this piece of land. He told me he was putting me as owner, although he didn't ask for any money to go with it. He started developing it for this dream house he always wanted to build."
Shanna frowned. "Why did he never tell me about any of this?"
"The blueprints are around here, probably in the closet. You want me to look?"
"Sure." Why would her father keep this all secret from her? It was really none of her business, but it was still weird.
"This one is marked 'house blueprints' so it must be the right one." Gabe came out of the closet holding a round cardboard tube. "We can go look at them in the conference room. There's more room to spread out there."
She followed him dazedly to the conference room. She had three days left of work here, then she would fly back to her life in Toronto. It was strange to think about. She'd only started to understand how her dad's company worked, and she was leaving already.
"How's your Dad doing at home?"
"Driving Mom crazy. He tried to sneak into my car this morning, but Mom caught him. Not sure why he thought I'd be a willing accomplice."
"Because you love working here as much as he does."
She was starting to understand that part as well. She looked forward to mornings and to work, to spending the day with Gabe. When was the last time she felt excited about work?
She thought her lack of enthusiasm for her job in Toronto was the need for a vacation. That’s what everyone else said. They worked insane hours so they could have crazy vacations. Everyone always talked about needing a vacation.
“Do you ever feel like you want to get away from here? Like a vacation?”
“Hmm. There are places in the world I’d like to visit. But lacking someone to share it with, not really.” He looked at her with those damn soul-searching eyes.
Shanna looked away. “You never need to get away from the office?”
“I get away evenings and weekends.”
“All I can think about when I’m at work is going on vacation.”
He didn’t reply as they walked the last hallway to the conference room. He pulled open the door. "Ladies first."
She knew she should make a smart ass comment, but ignored it. He popped the end off the tube and unrolled the paper on the table. Shanna grabbed a corner.
"He must have had this drawn up when you were a kid. I dunno why he didn't build it then. About three years ago he came in saying the perfect piece of land for the house came for sale, and he bought it. But he let it sit until about six months ago."
"Why?"
"I have no idea. I asked him, but all he told me was it was the right time."
"Okay, did you think about taking him into see a doctor and check for dementia? Did he go fucki
ng crazy?"
"No, wait. One night we were sitting up here drinking, I think we were waiting on a late delivery. He'd had a few. This was before we bought the land, you were in the middle of your degree. He'd hoped to build the house as a wedding present for you."
"That really doesn't make any sense that he'd start work on in the last few months. I've told him repeatedly and I know he has trouble listening, but I am not moving back."
"Bryce doesn't really listen unless it's his own idea, then nothing on heaven or Earth will stop him."
"I know." And she understood his line of thinking. Her father had decided that she wasn't going to marry Trenton, that he could manipulate her, or make her see reason, or whatever twisted thinking happened in his head, and she would come back and marry Gabe. Which explained Gabe's name being on the property deed. She was surprised her name wasn't on it as well. Hell, for all she knew, it was on it, she hadn't seen the reference yet.
"I never asked to be made owner. And when he insisted, I tried to pay for half. In case you are worried about me trying to steal your parents' money."
"You'd never do something like that, Gabriel."
He moved to stand behind her and put his arm around her shoulders. "I like when you say my name."
"We have always considered you part of the family. I wouldn't be upset if they left you half of everything."
"It's all yours, Shanna. You are their pride and joy."
"I always wished they could have had more children."
"They did as well, I know, but it wasn't meant to be. He was never sorry you were his only, though. Look around his office. It's covered in photographs of you. He never missed a thing you did. When you graduated, he wanted to get a billboard done."
She looked at the blueprints in front of her. Two stories, a basement. She tried to count the bedrooms, but got lost in the lines. "Will you take me to where he wanted the house built?"
"Will you go out for supper with me?" he countered in a soft voice. She shivered.
She touched the papers. "Tomorrow?"