The summer wore on and Gabriel continued to bring her word from Dr. Pam. Apparently the preparations for her exchange were complete. Her excitement level soared as she was overly eager to spend her year abroad. She hoped to do some extensive traveling in Europe and photograph everything she saw.
“I would go back to France and Italy in a heart beat,” Isabella announced over the phone during one particular conversation. She had toured France, Italy, and everything in between for ten memorable days in high school. “Italy was my favorite.”
Every once in a while, Gabriel brought up his own preparations, how he dreaded having to pack up and return to Montreal. Isabella shuddered every time she heard those words, but accepted his departure as being inevitable. She had grown to love their talks and their meetings. And she had discovered that Gabriel had a wonderful way of constantly surprising her.
One night he rented out the Juniper dinner cruise. He paid for the entire boat so that it was just the two of them dining by candlelight on the water, dancing under the stars, and holding each other as they traveled down Lake Champlain. It was amazing.
Of course, there was also the night that he packed them an irresistible picnic dinner to enjoy at the park. After they were done, he pushed her for what seemed like hours on the swing as she giggled and laughed. All of that because he remembered that she had once confessed her continued love of swings.
Her personal favorite date, however, had to be the night that he took her to dinner at Cafe Mooney Bay. There was an awkward moment when their waiter turned out to be Jack, who had taken on a second job for the summer, but he was uncharacteristically professional and served them undeniably well. Isabella had introduced them, reluctantly. Gabriel pushed back his chair, stood up, and shook Jack’s hand while thanking him profusely. Jack was, naturally, a bit confused, so he called Isabella bright and early the next morning to have her explain what he had missed. And following dinner that evening, Gabriel had taken Isabella to see a foreign flick playing at the Strand.
It was like being a teenager all over again. Gabriel demonstrated an incredible devotion to Isabella. He called her every weekend from Montreal, and almost every night from his place in town. He left her messages on the machine when they didn’t connect, messages which Isabella saved and played when she couldn’t see him for a few days. Always he called her Bella, or even more charming, Beautiful One. And for the first time in a long time, Isabella began to feel beautiful.
Still, it came as a great shock to her when, as she chatted with him one evening, she wandered into the bathroom to grab some aloe for her sunburned nose, only to pause for a moment and observe the look on her face. Isabella had a glow. In that instant, she realized that she had grown attached to him. Isabella wouldn’t admit she could be falling in love, since she couldn’t believe that emotion possible so soon, but definitely an attachment existed. Great, she admonished herself, another hopeless relationship.
The day she had been agonizing over for so long arrived. Gabriel called to tell her he would be heading home the next afternoon, moving back to Montreal. Isabella wished instantly that she had been able to take Jessie’s advice and just have fun. She reproached herself for allowing any type of useless feelings for Gabriel to grow.
The longer Isabella and Gabriel spoke, the more obvious it became that he wasn’t upset over his departure. Of course, why should he be? Isabella noted. The only thing keeping him here would be...me. This wasn’t the first time in her life that Isabella felt as though she wasn’t enough. Those same feelings of inadequacy plagued her after discovering Jack and Angelica together at the mall. She had tormented herself then, believing that if she could have only been...more, then Jack would have been faithful.
Gabriel still talked, though Isabella couldn’t help but be distracted. “I will have my own place, starting in January. I picked it out already, but it will be under construction until the end of December. I will have to stay at my father’s house until then.”
“Your father doesn’t have a house,” Isabella managed a weak laugh. “He has a mansion, or even an estate, but certainly not a house.”
“Listen,” Gabriel tried to defend his claim, “just because the place sprawls over three stories, and has an elevator...” His voice trailed off as he realized how it truly was perceived. “Okay. I guess you’re right. He owns a mansion.” His tone changed. “The place we had in Saudi Arabia was even bigger. We had to give up a lot of our money to move here. Did I ever tell you that over there I was...”
“Royalty?” Isabella interrupted. “Yes, you mentioned it once or twice. And you were born in Casablanca, romantic locale of the famous Bogart-Bergman flick. Your mother came from Egypt. You speak four languages fluently and are learning several more. Oh, and one day you will rule over the family empire. Have I forgotten anything?” Isabella spoke as though reading off items on a grocery list. She sighed knowing her feelings were beginning to show. A heavy silence permeated through the phone lines. “I’m sorry. I know you are amazing and come from an impressive family.” She swallowed hard. “You are unlike anyone I have ever known, ever thought I might know. I guess I’m just tense. The kids go back to school in a few weeks and I’m not ready. I’m not ready for my summer to end.” Isabella hoped that explained away what she had said, wondering if he would truly understand why she wished her summer would never end.
“I’m sorry, too, Bella.” He spoke very carefully now, as though each phrase was produced after much thought. “I am not trying to brag. I guess I just want you to see...” He stopped, unable to admit the truth aloud. How could he explain that this was all he had to make himself worthy of her? She had the best heart of anyone he knew. It was painfully obvious she experienced hurt and sorrow in her life, yet had persevered. And what had he done with his life but take the easy route and work for his father, and worse squander time and money partying. He sighed then totally changed the direction of the conversation. “So, will you help me decorate my new apartment?” And as soon as the words escaped his lips, Gabriel discovered he was as shocked as she was.
“What?” Isabella asked stunned. January happened to be a long way away. What could he be asking? “Listen, Gabriel. I think we need to talk. Can I meet you in fifteen minutes?”
“Sure,” he responded quizzically.
Isabella had him meet her in front of the Koffee Kat. Luckily, Jessie wasn’t Isabella’s only sitter. The teenager next door always seemed to be available on a moment’s notice. Today would be no different. Jane walked in and headed immediately for the kitchen. “I’ll be back later. I’m not sure when. Do you need a time frame?” Jane shook her head, still looking intently at the contents of the fridge.
The ride to town, though only ten minutes, seemed much longer this evening. It gave Isabella a much needed opportunity to think. She must plan what she was going to say very carefully. After spending years with Jack she had become practiced in the subtle art of questioning men. She had studied facial expressions, learned how to detect hidden meaning, and could spot a lie at a hundred yards, although she would be the first to admit that didn’t necessarily imply that she would be able to ferret out the truth. Discovering the truth took a set of skills that she had yet to master. Her current defense mechanisms would have to suffice.
At last Isabella pulled up to her favorite coffee house. Gabriel was already sitting out front watching for her. She didn’t acknowledge his presence immediately; instead she concentrated intently on trying to parallel park. Part of the beauty of living in the country would be that she never had to parallel park. Now, having driven into the city, she had to do so with an audience. Please don’t let me hit the car. Please don’t let me hit the car. Isabella prayed silently. Somehow she managed to fit in the spot in such a way that she wondered whether or not she would even be able to pull out later. How masterful. She had entirely too much time to think on the drive, and it showed. She was on edge.
Immediately, Gabriel recognized Isabella’s angst and put an arm around
her for comfort. She gazed up at him with wide wondering eyes and relaxed slightly as he held the door for her and let her lead the way. The woman behind the counter smiled as she said, “Chocolate cappuccino?” Isabella nodded and blushed slightly. Gabriel squeezed her hand and ordered a vanilla, stacked them on top of each other and held the door for her on the way back to her car.
She could sense Gabriel’s apprehension. She hadn’t been as open and warm as she normally would, distancing herself in case she might soon be hurt. Isabella could feel him studying her, knew that he had no idea what she currently pondered. She silently applauded her results. Yes, she thought, I want him a little off balance. I want to catch him off guard. This was a no fail technique she had mastered during her marriage.
They pulled up to the River Walk, which had an instant soothing effect on both of them. Gabriel deeply inhaled the fresh air while appreciating the beauty around him. He waited for her to walk around the car, and meet up with him on the sidewalk. Normally, Isabella would have looped her arm through his as they walked down the sloping steps from the monument toward the lake. Tonight, however, differed greatly from the norm. Tonight, Isabella guarded herself and Gabriel sensed that.
As Isabella had hoped, the place was virtually deserted. Most nights, people would come and go, but very few lingered here, which Isabella failed to understand. Others only passed by to walk a dog, or quickly feed the ducks. Gabriel and Isabella picked a bench on the last terrace nearest the water, just before sunset. Already, the moon illuminated one small segment of sky. Sailboats were meandering by, and the ducks were noisily quacking for scraps of bread. Still, it remained a peaceful spot.
“I love it here,” Gabriel commented appreciatively, grabbing her free hand. “I am so glad you brought me here.”
Isabella hoped, silently, that he would still think that way after she had her say. She turned to face him. He mirrored her, waiting patiently for her to begin the conversation. He brought the coffee to his lips as she asked, “So Gabriel, what are your intentions with me?”
He looked startled, his eyes bulged slightly, he spluttered, and at last swallowed his steaming mouthful, eyes blinking. It took a moment before he was able to speak. “Well, I don’t have an actual plan.” He paused, knowing that she required a better answer than the one he had so hastily given. And yet what he said was more truthful than he could have imagined. “I want to keep seeing you, if that’s what you mean. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just know that I like you very much, much more than I ever would have expected, much more than I ever intended.”
He spoke honestly now, baring his soul in some ways, since Isabella would never be that forth coming. “I didn’t expect to fall for anyone in this town. I thought I was just passing through. I only know that I want to continue getting to know you and take it from there.” He paused as he looked searchingly into her eyes. “Can you live with that?”
Isabella’s entire body heaved a sigh of relief. She smiled in answer and leaned in to him. He put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. They were silent for several minutes.
“You know,” Gabriel began, “my friends are dying to meet you. They have a hard time picturing this woman that I can’t do justice in describing. For a while they thought I was making you up. I’m not really ready to share you yet, but at some point could we go out to dinner with my friends so that they can get to know you?”
Isabella nodded her head. His head rested on top of hers, so she knew that no words were necessary for her response. Together, they watched in silence as the sun set and the stars appeared. The street lights flickered, then burst to life. Neither one wore a watch. Neither one cared an iota to know about the time, but still they felt the pull to leave the River Walk. Reluctantly, they strolled back to Isabella’s car.
Before they climbed in, Gabriel held Isabella to him. “I’m not ready to give you up yet,” she murmured into his chest. She sighed. As much as he had so willingly revealed, this was the most she felt comfortable expressing. She felt the need to share more of herself and she knew just where to begin. He pulled back to look at her face, hear what she might say next. Swallowing nervously, knowing that this one question would change everything between them she asked, “Do you want to see where I live?”
A smile lit up Gabriel’s face. This was more than a simple question. He knew that she had just given him more of that reserved trust and expressed a bit of hope in their future. He felt like a silly teenager again, unable to stop smiling. “I thought you’d never ask.”
With a plan in mind, they now eagerly jumped into the car. They spoke in a relaxed fashion as she drove. It suddenly occurred to Isabella that she might have been too hasty. She had numerous responsibilities. “I love Rebecca and Kyle,” she began slowly. “I can’t just dump them because I have a man in my life. I refuse to be that kind of mom. Can you accept that?” She anxiously waited for his response.
Gabriel inhaled deeply before sighing happily. “It will just give me more people to grow to love,” he replied, reaching over and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
They pulled up the long gravel driveway to her barn. For the first time, Isabella viewed her home critically, trying to see it as Gabriel saw it. The cement sidewalk was nestled between lines of hostas in full bloom, bearing stalks of purple flowers as tall as Kyle. On either side of the steps were her terra cotta pots filled with pink impatiens, purple pansies, delicate champagne tea roses, and vinca vines trailing down all sides. Her Adirondack chairs graced either side of the porch, while a small square glass topped table sat between the duplex doors, holding miniature yellow daisies. The four square stone pots of citronella candles on each corner of the porch remained unlit. To her it looked homey. Would he see the same?
“This is where you live?” He looked at her with excitement. “It looks just like what I would have imagined. Did you do all this?” He gestured around at the flowers gracing the front of the place.
Isabella nodded and blushed. He followed her to the door, opened it and held it for her. When they enter her living room, they found Jane settled into the rocking chair, watching some movie. Rebecca lay asleep on the couch. She looked like an angel with her mass of shoulder length brown hair radiating out from around her little head. Her long dark eye lashes were visibly apparent, despite her tan, and her tiny rosebud lips were slightly parted.
The minute Gabriel saw her lying there, he crossed the room to squat by her side and study her. “Oh,” Gabriel cried, “she is even more beautiful than I imagined. She looks so much like her mother.” He smiled and nodded at Jane, who sat temporarily paralyzed by his presence.
Gabriel slowly walked over to the doorway where Isabella lingered, watching him and studying his every move. She tried to see if his reaction was genuine, or if he simply performed as he believed she expected. His facial expressions seemed real. She smiled slowly to herself.
He took Isabella’s hand in his and asked, “So, may I meet Kyle?” As they reached his room on the second landing, they found her son asleep with his back toward them. Gabriel relinquished her hand to walk to the other side of Kyle’s bed. He knelt down next to him so that he could see the little boy’s face, study his delicate features. Even though almost identical to his sister, Kyle looked like an obvious boy. Gabriel stared at him for more than a minute with a tender smile on his face then slowly reached out to rub his back.
Standing once more, he wandered back to where Isabella leaned against the door casing. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her close, and said, “I think I love your children already.”
They paused on the second floor landing. Gabriel looked up the stairs, eyeing the third floor. “Your bedroom, I presume?” Isabella nodded, weakly. “Do I get the grand tour?” He whispered these words into her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine.
Shyly, Isabella led him up the last flight of stairs. She had always been proud of her room. In the center of the far wall stood her four poster bed with le
aves and vines carved into the wood. The comforter and curtains were of a matching flower, leaf, and berry pattern on a taupe background. It gave the room a bright and airy feel. She had candles strewn around the room, on the night stands, book case, table, desk, dresser, and in the bathroom. In the entire time that she had lived there, the candles had never all been lit. On occasion, Isabella would light one or two to relax, but never had she and Jack been intimate with lit candles.
How would Gabriel react to this room? He studied every aspect of Isabella’s personal space. He walked into the bathroom, returned to the vast bedroom, jokingly pressed his hands down upon the mattress as though to test the springs. When he looked up, he realized how uncomfortable Isabella looked, so he simply said, “This is an amazing room, Bella. It definitely reflects you.” Then, he gave her a quick hug and a peck on the head, as he led the way down the stairs to the living room, their hands entwined.
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