Chapter 4

GABRIEL

He hadn’t been able to sleep after he returned from his run, Seth’s words replaying continuously. ~“Dependable”~…

He had gone into the kitchen after his shower and baked bread as his grandmother had taught him, putting all his restlessness into kneading the dough. By the time Grandma came down for breakfast, the bread was cooling on the windowsill, braided and glistening in the early morning sunshine.

“Are you planning on opening a bakery, Gabriel?” she asked as she sat at the table. Gabe poured her tea and served her breakfast the way she liked it—fried tomatoes, lightly fried eggs, broiled bacon, a sliced hotdog, and white toast. “You’re not eating?”

He shook his head. “I’m having breakfast with an old friend.”

“Will he have a job for you?” Gabe bit back a smile as Grandma broke a corner of her toast and sopped up the yolk. He had been watching her have the same breakfast and eating it the same way since he was ten years old.

“Would you allow me the time to go to work if he did?” She banged her fork onto the table, but Gabe shook his head before she could speak. “Let’s face it, Grandma, you’ve had me busy from sunup to sundown. If it’s not driving you around, you have me going on dates I don’t want to go on. Since I’ve been back, you’ve been harping at me to sort out my sh—crap, but you’ve got me locked to your hip every minute of the day.”

She pursed her lips as she looked at him, then took a piece of bacon and chewed it thoughtfully. When she wiped her hands on the napkin next to her plate, Gabe sat down, knowing that he was in for a lecture when she narrowed her eyes. Grandma looked out the bay window that enclosed the breakfast nook, her thoughts a mystery to Gabe.

“When your parents died, I promised myself I would take care of you. Your granddad did what he needed to for us to adopt you. You are the image of your dad, Gabriel.” She wiped a tear from her lashes before she looked at him. “Since the age of eighteen, you have been away from me. I’ve seen the scars, Gabriel. The one on your arm, on your hip, and your back. They broke my heart because I wasn’t there to protect you. And I know about your nightmares. I hear you scream and then…prowl…around the house until all hours of the night. You don’t sleep. You barely eat. You can’t sit still for longer than two minutes. I’m worried about you, my child.”

She put her hand over his, and Gabe felt the comfort of her touch, relieved that that was still the same. “I don’t mean to disturb you, Grandma—”

“Please!” She waved her hand at him. “I’m eighty-three, Gabriel, I don’t sleep much. I’d rather be disturbed by you than a demanding pee.” She patted his hand. “I worry about you being alone to face your nightmares. I just worry about you being alone…”

He smiled as he kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you, Grandma. But I will be fine. I just need you to let me be alone sometimes.”

She cupped his jaw and he leaned into her touch. “You left for the Marines at eighteen, Gabriel. I didn’t know where you were half the time, and those postcards you sent me gave me comfort and I looked forward to them. I knew when they were late, that something was wrong, like the time you got shot. I am just so relieved that you are home, Gabriel, that I am too afraid to let you out of my sight.”

“Grandma,” he sighed. “I’m not going anywhere, old girl. You ain’t getting rid of me that quickly.”

He stood up and kissed her on the temple. “I love you, Grandma. Don’t you leave me too soon?”

“I’ll go through those pearly gates kicking and screaming, boy. Now go meet your friend.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He chuckled as he left the house.

***

Gabe poured sugar into his iced coffee as he waited for Seth at the diner. The place was quiet, with large picture windows facing the busy main street, single-sheet menus, and good coffee. Most of the seating was booths, occasional tables, and counter seating, something Gabe was relieved for because he was always afraid to sit on the dainty-looking chairs that most restaurants have. Being six foot three and over 240 pounds, dainty chairs scared him.

“Anything else, pumpkin?” Gabe looked up at the server, who was probably ten years younger than his grandmother, plump, with purple streaks in her gray hair. She had a flashy smile and Gabe smiled back.

“Is there anything sweeter than you on the menu?”

“Now, honey, you ~know~ there ain’t nothing sweeter than Miss Perry on that paper.”

“Well, Miss Perry, I will have the next best thing when my friends get here.” She smiled at him as she took his menu. “Oh, and Miss Perry?”

“Yes, honey?”

“I'll have whatever you like on the menu. At least then I can have some of your sweetness.”

He laughed as she fanned herself. “Sugar, with a tongue like that and your pretty face, you'll be havin’ the diner on fire.”

“Geez, Gabe. Still driving the women crazy I see,” Seth teased as he sat down.

“I can't help it if I was given better looks than your ugly ass.”

“Hey!” Seth protested. “Not so loud or the lady might change her mind.”

Gabe snorted. “Dude, if she stuck with you till now, nothing will change her mind.”

“And for that I am grateful.” Seth smiled his thanks as Miss Perry placed his coffee on the table.

“Speaking of which, I thought your lady was joining us?”

“Oh, she’s on her way,” Seth assured his friend. “She’s at the counter ordering her very special breakfast.”

Gabe looked at the people standing at the counter and then felt the world stop as he recognized the intricate braiding of the lady from the church. She had tiny butterflies in her dark hair, their wings fluttering as she moved her head. His eyes automatically searched for the little blonde head that he always saw with her, but besides an old man sipping coffee and reading a newspaper, there was no one else. The disappointment cut so deep that Gabe rubbed at the pain piercing his chest.

“You okay, Jiminy?”

Gabe blinked at the concern in Seth’s voice. “I’m sorry. I just…it’s nothing.” He took a sip from his cup to give himself some time to collect his thoughts and looked up as Seth got to his feet and helped the church lady to settle into the booth. She was beautiful with those amber eyes shining out of her oval face, and tendrils of hair teasing her creamy skin.

“Indie, this is Gabe.”

“Hi.” She smiled, and Gabe struggled to breathe.

“Gabriel?”

He heard Seth’s voice through a thick fog, his brain not able to function as it should. It felt as though he’d met his celebrity crush, and his mind shut off, and all he could do was stare. “Um…yeah?”

“Dude, you’re freaking me out, man!”

~Shit!~ He needed to get his act together or Seth would think Gabe was after his girl! With a massive effort, he closed his eyes and rubbed his face with his hands. And all he saw was the tiny blonde head swinging from side to side.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.” He summoned the courage and looked at Indie. “It’s just that I’ve seen you—or more accurately your braids—for the last few weeks.”

“You have?” Seth asked with raised eyebrows.

“Yeah, at church. You’re usually with a little girl,” Gabe explained.

“Oh. Yes, I normally take Amelia with me when her mom and Seth are working.” Indie smiled and then giggled. “Which reminds me, Sarah will be—”

“Pops!” A whirlwind in a lavender dress with tumbling sheep rushed at Seth just as a tall slim figure stopped at their table.

Gabe swallowed the sudden lump in his throat as he watched the pigtails sway when the little girl spoke to Seth, her head bouncing as she told him about the day ahead. And then she turned to Gabe and gave him a blinding smile, her green eyes as vibrant as guiding lamps on a lighthouse. She was real. She was as pretty as a porcelain figurine, and she was giving him her life-saving smile.

Before Gabe could get his brain to behave his mouth muttered, “Glitter girl…”