Her words brought his gaze to hers. He switched off the TV as he looked for signs that she'd had more than a casual evening with Nicholas. "You went somewhere with Nicholas?"
After studying Gabe for a moment, she shook her head. "No. He showed me the office complex and the day-care center that he set up last year. He'd done lots of research on the benefits of having a day-care center on site for its employees. I took a look at some of it, then when he found out that I hadn't actually eaten dinner, he ordered in some Chinese."
"And after dinner?" Gabe prompted.
The golden light he'd seen in her eyes after their last kiss flared again. "What do you want, Gabe? A play-by-play?"
"I want to know if Nicholas made any moves on you."
"Nicholas was a perfect gentleman. We looked over the numbers for a few businesses he wants to buy."
Gabe stood, feeling as if he wanted to pace the room but controlling the urge. "And that took all this time?"
"I'm over twenty-one, single and free to come and go as I please. I don't appreciate being grilled even if you are well-intentioned because you see Nicholas as some kind of threat to me. He's not. In fact, we have a lot in common. He has two tickets for the symphony in Richmond on Saturday evening, and asked me if I'd like to go. I told him I would."
Gabe's heart beat faster as he tried to deny how much he disliked the idea of April and Nicholas going on a date. And that's what it would be. But as she'd said, she was a free agent. There was nothing he could do about it. She probably went to the theater and symphony all the time while she was in Boston. "If Nicholas shows you a good time, I guess you won't be bored while you're here."
"I'm never bored while I'm here, Gabe." She moved away from him toward the doorway. "I'm going to go upstairs and read for a while. I'll see you in the morning."
She was gone before Gabe could tell her good-night.
****
Chapter Four
The children played in Mrs. Norman's preschool as the parents milled about the learning center. April was studying the selection of games the children could choose from, but her mind was on the silent drive over here with Gabe. Ever since she'd told him she was going to the symphony with Nicholas, he'd been too polite and, most of the time, remote. Not with Stephie, of course. He gave her warmth and smiles and plenty of attention.
Now Stephie was showing Gabe a wooden puzzle with large pieces. As always he paid complete attention to her, listening carefully to what she had to say. Would he still be as loving and free if he knew Stephie wasn't his daughter? Just how much would the truth change his relationship with her?
April had never had much of a relationship with her own father, and she missed his presence in her life. When other kids talked about the things they did with their dads on weekends, April had always felt different. Her father had traveled so much of the time, and when he was home on weekends...
He'd gone out—without their mother. Oh, her mother and father had attended charity functions together, dinners for civic causes, parties among a circle of social elite. But most of the time her father went out alone. Only he wasn't alone. But it wasn't until she was in her teens that she realized that.
A friend of hers had told her she'd seen her father in a restaurant in Richmond over the weekend—with a woman. Wanting to give Stanton Remmington the benefit of the doubt, April had assumed it was a business dinner. But then she'd answered the phone late one night, and a woman had asked for her father. When she'd told the caller her father wasn't there, the woman wouldn't give her name or the reason for calling and April had started putting two and two together—whispers behind her mother's back at the Tennis Club, rumors that circulated throughout the high school and got back to her. Her father didn't have business dinners with women on Saturday night. No, he took them to fine restaurants and to the theater. As the years went by, his affairs became more blatant, but her mother never said a word. She'd never talk to April about it, and April hadn't said anything to her.
Not knowing how she'd tumbled into that train of thought, she was roused out of it by two children who ran by her chasing each other. There were parents and children everywhere so she didn't know who they belonged to. As she glanced around, she saw Stephie sitting on the floor with a classmate putting puzzles together. Gabe was talking to Mrs. Norman who'd given a brief presentation when they'd first arrived.
April couldn't keep her gaze from Gabe. He looked casually handsome tonight in a tan sweater with an off-white oxford shirt underneath. His slacks were camel-colored. She'd dressed in a pale-blue sweater and matching light-wool slacks. When he'd first seen her after she'd changed, she'd thought she'd seen male admiration in his eyes. But she couldn't be sure of anything where Gabe was concerned right now.
Suddenly a woman joined his conversation with Mrs. Norman. She was pretty, blond and wore a red sweater-dress that hung a few inches above her knees. April's intuition went on alert as she watched the woman whose gaze trained on Gabe's face more than Mrs. Norman's. She also moved a little closer to him.
Wanting to get a better look at the woman's expression, April moved toward the table with the punch bowl and cookies and dipped herself a cup of punch. The two children who had run by her before ran by again. But April was more concerned with the smile Gabe was giving the woman and his apparent interest in her, especially when Mrs. Norman moved away to talk with another parent. The woman in the red dress kept speaking to Gabe as if they were old friends. Maybe they were. Maybe they were more than friends. After all, it wasn't as if Gabe told her about the details of his life or confided in her his innermost thoughts.
She wished he would.
Deciding to find out who the woman was instead of guessing, April took a step forward just as the two children who had been chasing each other made a complete circle around the room, ran into her, then the table holding the punch and cookies. It was like a comedy of errors. Not only did April spill the cup in her hand as she tried to catch the little boy who had rammed into her, but on its way to the floor, the punch bowl splashed red punch all over her light-blue slacks. The room had gone silent at the crash. The two children froze, and all eyes were on April.
She could make a fuss, but the damage was already done. From the look on the two little boys' faces, she expected that they knew they'd be facing consequences in a few minutes. Touching them both gently on the shoulder so they'd know she wasn't going to scream at them, she said, "Go the bathroom and get me a bunch of paper towels. Fast. But don't run."
After a few blinks at her, they took off at more than a walk but less than a run. She shook her head.
A moment later, Gabe was at her side. "Are you all right?"
She couldn't help but roll her eyes and smile. "More all right than those kids are going to be when their parents' are through with them, I bet."
Gabe had taken out a clean white handkerchief. Pulling a folding chair from the side of the room, he dragged it over. "Take your shoes off."
She'd worn black leather flat shoes with a strap over the instep. The hem of her slacks, her hose and her shoes were all splattered with the red punch, and she could feel already, it was getting sticky.
Mrs. Norman came running over with towels. "I don't know how much these are going to help, but at least they'll sop it up. I'm so sorry this happened. I couldn't get to those two in time."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. It was an accident. But if we don't mop up the floor, you're going to have lots of sticky feet trampling across the room for the next week."
There was amusement in her tone, and Mrs. Norman stopped trying to wipe up the mess and looked at April. "Thank you for taking this so calmly. Your clothes are probably ruined."
April had learned long ago that some things are more important than clothes. The children who had run into her were doing their best to mop up some of the spill, too. Farther away from April, their parents were standing over them with stern expressions.
She said, "I didn't want to call any more attent
ion to them in front of everybody. After all, it was an accident. When adults have accidents, we take it as a matter of course. But children... They're just doing what they do naturally."
Returning with her shoes, Gabe handed them to her. Then he knelt down and swiped at her foot with a wet cloth. "This isn't going to fix the problem," he said, "but it might help you be a little more comfortable driving home."
Gabe's ministrations were adept, quick and gentle. She could smell his cologne, and when his fingers brushed over the arch of her foot once, twice and then around her ankle, she could feel the heat from his touch all the way to her face.
As he started on her other foot, Stephie came over and sidled up beside her. "You're a mess."
April laughed. From the mouth of babes. After she gave Stephie a quick hug, she tapped Gabe on the shoulder. When his gaze met hers, she wanted to...to what? Tell him the truth about his daughter? Tell him she was falling in love with him all over again? Tell him she was as afraid now as she had been five years ago?
Instead, she took a deep breath and held out her hand. "I can do that, Gabe."
He studied her silently, then handed her the towel and held his hand out to Stephie. "C'mon, Pumpkin. Let's see if we can find a janitor's closet and something that'll help get this cleaned up."
April almost breathed a sigh of relief as he moved away.
A short time later after April had tried to clean her slacks in the bathroom and Mrs. Norman had apologized again, they drove back to Gabe's. April kissed and hugged Stephie good-night, then showered. When April finished in the bathroom, Stephie's night light was on, so she knew Gabe had gone downstairs. With her stained clothes over her arm, she headed downstairs, too, and straight to the laundry room. But Gabe was in the kitchen, sitting at the table with a glass of milk and a package of chocolate cookies.
"I guess you didn't get any punch and cookies at the open house," April said with some amusement.
He grinned. "Nope. By the way, I forgot to tell you. While you were in the bathroom cleaning up, the parents' of the twins said you should buy yourself a new outfit, and they'll be glad to pay for it.
"They don't have to do that."
"They felt responsible."
"I know, but I'm going to see if I can get the stains out, then send them to the cleaners."
Gabe tilted his head, and she could see that he was wondering why a woman who could buy as many new clothes as she wanted, would worry about removing a stain. "This is one of my favorite outfits, Gabe. Mother gave it to me two Christmases ago. So if I can save it, I want to do that." Then she took her clothes to the laundry room.
After she cleaned them up the best she could and went back to the kitchen, Gabe motioned to the second glass of milk he'd poured and the bag of chocolate sandwich cookies. "Join me?"
With a smile she sat beside him. "You know I can't resist these any more than you can."
He dipped one into his milk. "Yes, but you like to take them apart. I don't."
He was right about that. Twisting a cookie apart, she stole a quick glance at him. "Mrs. Norman's school looks as if it has a lot to offer." Not knowing how to lead into her question any other way, she asked bluntly, "Who was the woman talking to you just before the punch bowl fiasco?"
Plucking a cookie from the pack, he gave her a curious look. "That was Debra Evans. Her daughter was putting puzzles together with Stephie. She's a single mother. And very considerate. After Vanessa died, she brought me a casserole about once a week."
Considerate or moving in on a handsome, eligible man? But April couldn't voice those thoughts. "She's very pretty."
After dipping another cookie in milk, Gabe ate it. "Yes, she is."
April wanted to tell him to be careful, to realize that the woman probably wanted more than just to feed him. But then she remembered his warning about Nicholas and how she'd reacted. April realized she was jealous of this woman she didn't even know. Instead of just being protective, had Gabe been jealous of Nicholas, too? If so, did that mean he had feelings for her?
It was a ray of hope and gave her something to hold on to. She dipped half of the cookie she had divided, then popped it into her mouth. Maybe after she went to the symphony with Nicholas Saturday night, she'd find out if Gabe was jealous. And if he was...
Then maybe they did have something to build on.
****
Guarding Nicholas zealously, Gabe matched his opponent's movements step-by-step and feint-by-feint. Nicholas wasn't getting away with anything today, not if Gabe could help it. Their friendly game of basketball had become something more than a competition for points. As Nicholas moved to the side, Gabe blocked him. As his friend pivoted and dribbled, Gabe was right there.
Finally, trying to stare Gabe down, Nicholas asked, "What's gotten into you today?"
"We play for points, and we play to win. Don't we?" Gabe asked as his gaze didn't leave Nicholas for a second.
"A beer isn't worth the effort you're putting into this today," Nicholas answered.
Low man out always bought the winner beer at the local watering hole, where after the game Gabe and Nicholas caught up on what had happened since their last game or else just watched their favorite teams battle it out on the big-screen TV.
Gabe kept remembering the fact that Nicholas and April were going out tonight. "Want me to ease up?" He backed off a little, but still watched Nicholas carefully.
"Not on your life," his friend goaded with a smile as he tried to push past him.
But Gabe was ready for him, and when Nicholas tried to make a long shot, Gabe caught the ball in one hand, dribbled fast to the basket and scooped it in easily.
Nicholas shook his head. "I'll buy the beers. There's no getting through or around you today."
Knowing he should feel a great deal of satisfaction, yet not experiencing any exhilaration, Gabe tossed the ball to Nicholas. "Giving up already?"
"When have you ever known me to give up?"
Too true, Gabe thought. "Strategic retreat?" he suggested.
Nicholas walked over to the bench and picked up his towel and slung it around his neck. "Not exactly. But I thought after a beer, you might want to see my new house. I'm having some work done before I move in, but I have the key."
"So you're really going through with it?"
"Closed on it yesterday," Nicholas said as he sat and pulled on his sweat pants. "The house has been empty for so long they were glad to wrap up the deal quickly. Let's get those beers," he suggested. "Then you can tell me how good it will feel to be a land owner."
Gabe wondered if Nicholas was really ready to settle down. And if he was, who would he settle with?
****
Listening for the doorbell, April attached gold hoop earrings to her ears. Her black dress could easily be made casual or dressy. Tonight she was dressing it up by slipping into black pumps. She'd thought about canceling tonight. She knew Gabe would be relieved. But why would he be relieved? She wanted him to put it into words. But she knew he wouldn't. And even if he did...
Would she reveal what she knew about Stephie?
She'd thought by staying here, her decision would become clearer. But instead, it seemed to be getting more complicated. Maybe going out with Nicholas tonight would help her put everything into a better perspective. She couldn't be impulsive. She couldn't do anything until she was sure of her course. Because once Gabe knew the truth, all of their lives could be changed forever.
When the doorbell rang, April tossed her coat over her arm and picked up her purse. But she was only half way down the stairs when Gabe reached the door ahead of her and let Nicholas inside. Gabe had returned home about an hour before and told her Nicholas had showed him through his new house. But that was about all he'd said. Now his expression was neutral.
Nicholas was dressed in a charcoal suit with a white shirt and black and gray tie. He was a handsome man. Yet as her gaze went to Gabe in his T-shirt and jeans, she wished she was going out with him tonight.
As she reached the bottom step, Nicholas said, "You look terrific."
"So do you," she returned with a smile. It was easy talking to Nicholas. Easy joking with him. He was like the big brother she always wished she'd had.
"Where are you taking her?" Gabe asked.
"A new Italian restaurant. Do you like Italian, April?"
"Sounds good to me," she said as she came to stand beside him. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Nicholas took her coat from her and held it so she could slip into it.
Gabe just glowered.
As she tucked her purse under her arm and belted her coat, she said to him. "I have my key. So don't feel you have to wait up."
"But you are planning on coming home tonight?"
She felt heat rise quickly to her cheeks, whether from embarrassment or frustration with him, she wasn't sure. "I plan to be home around midnight, but if my plans change, I'll let you know."
Nicholas cleared his throat. "I'll take good care of her, Gabe. You don't have to worry."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Gabe mumbled.
Opening the door, Nicholas let April precede him outside. Then he closed it behind them.
Once they were in the low-slung car with its leather scents surrounding them, Nicholas looked at her. "I think you and I need to have a talk. But I'd rather do it over a glass of wine than while I'm trying to concentrate on the road. How about some music? Mozart or easy listening?"
"Easy listening," she answered, suspecting exactly what Nicholas wanted to talk about.
At the restaurant with its fine linens, lit tapers secluded in hurricane lamps and quiet atmosphere, Nicholas waited until they ordered before he folded his arms on the table. "Okay, now tell me what's going on with you and Gabe."
She wasn't about to evade Nicholas' question. Gabe was his best friend. But she wasn't sure how to answer, either. "I wish I knew," she murmured.
His brows arched. "He treated me like the enemy on the basketball court today. We both have a keen sense of competition, but there's been a change in his attitude lately, and I'm pretty sure it has to do with you. Did you agree to come tonight because you knew it would make Gabe jealous?"
April's Promise (Forever Love Series) Page 5