Reforming Gabe

by Alicia Hunter Pace

  “You look like you’ve got a big old pink yeti tied to your back,” he’d told her as she walked away.

  She turned and gave him a saucy smile. “Keep your friends close and your yetis closer.”

  “Which one am I?” he’d asked.

  “One who’s about to be gone.” She laughed and winked. “Happy trails, Gabe.”

  “Don’t I get a happy-trails-and-goodbye kiss?” He’d held his hand out to her from where he lay, still naked, on the bed.

  “I’ve kissed you goodbye twice already and ended up staying another hour each time. So no.”

  And she was gone.

  Damn, it had been good. Never in the history of his sex life—and that particular history had been in play from the time he was fourteen without much of a slowdown—had it been this good. That was scary. What if he never found this again? And the odd thing was, though Neyland pretended like she’d been around the block a few times, he could tell she’d barely touched a toe out of her front yard. It had taken a couple of rounds for him to notice—that’s how connected and in sync they’d been.

  His cock stirred at the thought.

  Yep. Time to get out of town, and the sooner the better. He went into his walk-in closet and considered what—or if—to pack. Going to his condo in San Antonio was out of the question, but if he went to one of Jackson’s houses, he’d be set for clothes. That might be the easiest thing. Maybe he could go to the Highlands, North Carolina house and fish. There wasn’t much else he liked to do there, but he didn’t have anybody to do anything with anyway. Or he could go to Costa Rica, but he didn’t want to zipline alone. Besides, Costa Rica would entail packing and booking a flight.

  A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He pulled on a pair of shorts and reached for a shirt, but thought better of it. Maybe it was Neyland, and she’d made clear she didn’t mind the sight of him shirtless.

  He had a little fantasy going in his head when he opened the door—and found Jackson there.

  “You’re supposed to be in Hawaii,” Gabe said. “Has Emory already kicked your ass to the curb?”

  Jackson looked puzzled. “We’re leaving today. You knew that.”

  Gabe shook his head. “I’m confused or delusional. I saw that limo head out of here for the airport last night.”

  “That was Dirk, Gwen, and the kids. After all the press descended, we decided they’d take my plane to Disney last night, and everyone would think it was Emory and me. The plane’s on its way back now¸ and we’ll leave this afternoon. I thought I told you.”

  “No.” Though maybe he had. “But I don’t guess it matters, unless you’re willing to let me go with y’all.” He was only half kidding. He liked Hawaii.

  “No. But I have a favor—” Jackson stepped in the door and froze. “Holy crap!” There was an audible crunch under Jackson’s feet. “What went on in here?” His eyes landed on the empty red cereal box on the floor. “Is that Cap’n Crunch I’m stepping on?”

  Gabe looked around the living room. Yeah. Cap’n Crunch and grape jelly had been a better idea than flour and pancake syrup, especially since there had been some of the former but none of the latter in his suite kitchenette. All the couch cushions were on the floor, there was a broken lamp, and there might be jelly on the wall.

  “Well, you see … ”

  Jackson put his hand up. “Never mind, Gabriel. I do not want to know.”

  “Probably for the best.” Indeed. See, Jackson. I had my way with one of your wife’s best friends eight ways to Sunday. Of course, she had her way with me too. Oh? That doesn’t make it better? My bad. “So you need a favor?”

  Jackson nodded. “Where are you headed today?”

  “I don’t know yet. Maybe Costa Rica. Maybe Hawaii.”

  “You are not going to Hawaii with us. Live with it. So you have no firm plans? No commitments?”

  “No. I’m making it up as I go.”

  “I need you to stay here.”

  Gabe opened his mouth to say no, like he always did when Jackson asked him for something. But the thing was, Jackson never asked for anything except things that he knew weren’t going to get a yes. Please don’t dive the Great Barrier Reef. Please don’t jump out of a plane. Please don’t rappel down a mountain.

  But what Jackson was asking now was a real favor, and it didn’t matter why. There was only one answer Gabe could give.

  “All right. But why?” It might not matter why, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to know.

  “Sammy’s sister down in Birmingham broke her arm this morning. She’s got a toddler, and her husband’s at Army Reserve camp. Sammy needs to go help her. Dirk’s security guys will be here, of course. They know what to do. But I need someone here to see after things in case something goes wrong and do the things Emory usually does. Do payroll. Pay the cleaning and lawn services. I’m sure there’s other stuff I don’t know about.”

  At least he didn’t have to figure out a place to go. Also, though Jackson had paid to have the original part of Beauford Bend restored and the family wing modernized, he always insisted that the plantation still belonged to the four of them equally. So Gabe had an obligation not only to his brother but also to his home.

  “So long as I don’t have to run a tea party or a baby shower.”

  Jackson laughed. “No. Gwen and Dirk will be back in two weeks—probably Sammy, too. But there won’t be any events until we’re home a few days later. You can leave when Gwen and Dirk get back if you want, though I wouldn’t mind if you stuck around a while. It would be nice to pass a little more time with you.”

  Gabe wouldn’t mind that either, but the longer he stayed, the harder it would be to avoid Neyland. And he had to avoid Neyland.

  “Can Emory show me what needs doing?”

  “Sure, in a little while. She’s not up yet. You want breakfast? Sammy said he’d fix us something downstairs before he leaves.” Jackson let his eyes drift over the room again. “Since you’re all out of Cap’n Crunch and … what is that? Jelly?”

  “You said you didn’t want to know. And I could eat. Let me get a shirt and I’ll see you down there.”

  Jackson nodded and moved toward the door. “I appreciate this, Gabe.”

  “Ain’t nothing but a thing. And I can take y’all to the airport when you’re ready.”

  “Good deal.” Jackson looked at the jelly-stained wall. “You might want to think about tipping the cleaning service a little extra this week.”

  “I’ll do it.” No matter what this mess cost him, it had been worth it.

  Now all he had to do was figure out how to stay away from Neyland MacKenzie for two weeks.

  Chapter Seven

  “Wasn’t my Noel the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen last night at the wedding?” Nickolai’s Russian accent was as charming as the words he spoke.

  Neyland looked up from her worktable where she was making what had to be her ninety-third twisted silver wire bracelet. Not exciting, but nice enough. And it would sell. She had some catching up to do. Usually, she worked on Sunday afternoons, but between the wedding and, well, other activities, she’d slept most of yesterday away.

  Nickolai smiled over his coffee mug from where he sat at the end of her worktable. She couldn’t help but smile at him. There was no doubt he was attractive—if you preferred dark-headed men over blonds—blonds with curls, angelic blue eyes, and a mouth that could—. Well. Good thing he was gone. She’d been a little uneasy yesterday, wondering if he’d left yet, and she’d felt nothing but relief when she’d wakened this morning—because he was certainly gone by now. Neyland now understood why so many women had allowed themselves to get on the Gabe Beauford train, and if given the opportunity, she wasn’t sure she’d have the willpower to avoid becoming one of them. He was pure animal magnetism, and he could play her body like a concert pianist could play “Heart and Soul.”

  But he wasn’t and never would be the kind of man who would light up like Nickolai did when he talked
about Noel.

  She returned Nickolai’s smile.

  “Noel was lovely,” Neyland agreed. Though Noel was adorably cute with her pixie face and wide smile, not many would have called her beautiful. But Nickolai thought so and that’s all that mattered.

  “I loved her dress. So pretty.” Nickolai took a sip of his coffee and hastily added, “You looked pretty in that same dress, as well, Neyland.”

  “Thank you, Nickolai.” Gabe certainly hadn’t liked the dress. At one point, he’d threatened to rip the skirt off and throw it out the window. That would have made for some talk.

  “I wanted to go to into Nashville with Noel, but she wouldn’t let me.” He sighed. “She bosses me around.” His tone told how much satisfaction he took in that. Nickolai had grown up first in an orphanage and, later, a Russian hockey school. He basked in Noel’s care for him.

  “She wants you to rest, Nickolai. You lost a lot of blood.”

  “Da. But I could rest sitting in the car.”

  “I think she hoped you’d be getting bed rest. Not sitting here with me.”

  He smiled. “But you will not tell?”

  “I will not tell,” she parroted back. “Where was Noel going?”

  “To pick up my paycheck, get my mail, and pay some bills for me.”

  “I’d have thought the Nashville Sound would have the ability for direct deposit.”

  He nodded. “They do. Sure. But I like to see my check. It was a condition of my contract,” he said proudly. “The Sound was not so happy about it, but my agent, Jean Luc, said they must. So they do. And I do not like this paying what I owe online. I write my own checks and deliver them when I can. Some I have to mail.”

  “So are you going to see this paycheck?” Neyland asked.

  “Nyet. Not exactly. Noel will take it to the bank. But she will see it. Is the same thing.”

  Something about that hit Neyland to the core and turned her stomach upside down. Her hands stilled on her work.

  “What’s that like? To feel like you and another person are the same?”

  Nickolai shrugged and sipped his coffee. “Is … settling. But surprising. And sneaky. You do not see it coming.”

  “I suppose it’s scary, too.” Neyland went back to her work. “To feel that connected and then to fear losing it.”

  Nickolai shook his head. “I do not fear. Noel will not leave me. We had a—what do you call it? Rough spot? It won’t happen again.” He exuded confidence.

  “Any idea when you’re going to able to play again?”

  He nodded. “Two weeks, I think. But the doctor said I could travel with my team to Boston next week to watch. But I won’t wear the uniform.” He frowned.

  “That doesn’t make you happy?”

  “Da. It does. I want to support my teammates. But I want to play, too. Is hard to watch. And Noel will not go. She is reserving her time for when I play.” His eyes wandered to the bracelet Neyland was working on. “That’s nice. You make good jewelry.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled at him gratefully. “You play good hockey.”

  He laughed. “I do! You must take care not to get cut. Or you will not be making jewelry for a while.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  He stood up and walked over to get a better look. “Maybe you could make something special for my Noel?”

  Neyland’s heart began to pound. This could be it! Nickolai and Noel were headed for the altar as sure as the sun was going to come up. They acted married already, clearly felt married. Despite the ninety-six million dollar contract Nickolai had signed with the Sound and his product endorsements, he was frugal. According to Noel, he had never shaken the fear of getting a career-ending injury and being left broke with no way to earn a living. But Neyland suspected he would be generous when it came to an engagement ring for Noel. And Neyland wouldn’t have one bit of guilt over pushing him toward a high-end ring. He could afford it and Noel deserved it.

  “I can certainly do that. I’ll give you a good deal.” And she would. But if she could talk him into what was taking shape in her mind, he could have a good deal and she could have a fantastic profit.

  “Nyet.” He shook his head. “I get paid what I am worth to play hockey. You work hard and are talented. You must get paid what you are worth. I am fair. I insist you charge what you would charge anyone.”

  Better and better! “All right. What did you have in mind?”

  “Something special—that she can wear close to her heart, that makes her think of me when I’m gone from her.”

  So not a ring. Neyland fought the disappointment. Not a ring—yet. Still, a necklace could bring in some nice income.

  “I am thinking something delicate. A chain. With little things that dangle. What do you call them?”

  “Charms?” The dollar amount plummeted with every word he spoke.

  “Yes.” He nodded enthusiastically. “I like this metal you’re working in now. Is bright and happy.”

  She could have lied and told him it was platinum.

  “Silver. Wouldn’t you like something sparkly incorporated?” she asked hopefully.

  “No. Just the silver. Noel does not need sparkle to enhance her. A chain of silver long enough to reach her heart. And charms like a hockey stick, a hockey puck, and the letter N.”

  Well, that was that. It would bring in no more than two of the pieces that the tourists bought. She reached for an order form. It had been a long time since she’d needed one of those.

  “Thirty inch silver chain,” Neyland said as she wrote. “Hockey stick. Hockey puck. N for Noel.”

  “N for Nickolai,” he corrected.

  “Of course.”

  “I know. Make it a Russian N. Looks like an English H.”

  Despite her disappointment, Neyland smiled. “So it can also stand for hockey.”

  “No. For Nickolai.”

  “Okay.” Then inspiration hit. “How about adding a small heart-shaped locket? She could put your picture inside.” The locket would cost as much as the three simple charms combined.

  Nickolai nodded enthusiastically. “I like how you think, Neyland.”

  She made out an invoice, itemizing each element.

  He read it over thoroughly, nodding as he went.

  “Can you have it done before I leave for Boston next Friday?”

  “Yes, I think I can manage that.” Though there was no question. It wasn’t like she had any other custom orders.

  “Good.” He reached for his wallet, counted out the exact amount, and laid it on the table.

  “You don’t have to pay me until it’s done,” Neyland said.

  “Is no matter. I know you will deliver.”

  So even the ever-frugal Nickolai Glazov considered an amount that would almost pay Neyland’s rent to be pocket change.

  “All right. Thank you.” Neyland stepped out of the workroom to put the money in the register just as the front door opened—and Gabe Beauford stepped inside.

  The floor turned to jelly. The world spun. The universe shifted and punched her in the gut.

  That tiny angel that lived inside of him must have fought the big bad devil who also dwelled there, because it made its way out in the form of a smile.

  “You’re supposed to be gone,” were the only words Neyland could find. Perhaps if she reminded him, he would disappear.

  No such luck.

  “Supposed to changes. Turns out, I’m supposed to be at Beauford Bend.”

  For how long? She didn’t dare ask.

  “What can I do for you?” she said instead.

  Bad choice of words. He closed his eyes, tilted his head down, and let out a soft puff of laughter.

  He’d better not be here to try to buy her a piece of her own jewelry for a kiss-off gift. She would beat him black and blue with Annabelle if he even hinted at it. There had been no kiss-off. And if there had been, she would have been the one doing it.

  “Gabe Beauford!” Nickolai appeared behind Neyland and s
ounded delighted to see Gabe. “I thought you were leaving.”

  “Me, too. But Sammy’s sister broke her arm, and he had to go help her. I need to stay at Beauford Bend and see to things until Gwen and Dirk get back.”

  So two weeks. That wouldn’t be so bad.

  “You’re just who I’m looking for,” Gabe went on.

  Neyland jerked her head up. But no. He was looking at Nickolai, not her. Was that relief or regret that settled over her? Didn’t matter.

  “Have you had breakfast?” Gabe asked Nickolai.

  “Yes. Noel made me grits and eggs.”

  “I sort of ate, but nothing as good as grits and eggs. Cereal—and I had to make it myself,” Gabe admitted. “Do you want to get second breakfast?”

  “I like pancakes for dessert.” Nickolai made his way around the counter toward Gabe, clearly happy for a diversion.

  At the door, Gabe turned and looked at Neyland. “How about you, sassy britches? Can we bring you something? Maybe some Cap’n Crunch?”

  Unable to find her voice, let alone a good comeback, Neyland shook her head.

  “I do not think The Café Down On The Corner has this Captain Crunch,” Nickolai said as the door closed behind them.

  Neyland leaned against the wall. Exploding stars in hell!

  • • •

  Gabe silently cursed himself. Why had he said that to her? What was he thinking? Gabe had told himself when he left the house that he wasn’t coming to Piece by Piece where Neyland was bound to be. But he’d been alone ever since taking Jackson and Emory to the airport yesterday, and he didn’t do alone well. Since his early morning bowl of Wheaties had been supremely unsatisfying, his plan had been to go to The Café Down On The Corner for a real breakfast and call Glaz from there.

  But a block from the café, he’d found himself parking in front of Piece by Piece. After all, he wasn’t there to see Neyland, and how stupid was it to call Glaz when he could drop in?