by Posey Parks
I threw my hands in the air. “Girl, he pretended to be someone else.”
“Oh, and he paid for your bakery.” Her lips twisted. “Why are you still working?”
“Tomorrow is my last day.”
“Maybe he had identity issues. Wanted nothing to do with his family. That didn’t mean he didn’t love you.”
“Right, so it’s ok that he left his family. Then one day he walks out on us too. No, I’m good.”
She grabbed my hand and led me to a chair at the table.
Erica sat beside me. “Everyone ain’t momma and daddy. And I am not saying what he did wasn’t wrong. You can make him sweat a little, but clearly that man loves you. What billionaire runs around impregnating women. He was supposed to take precautions. There are women out here who would love to be pregnant with his child and never have to work again. He knew the kind of woman he had. You aren’t like that, Gabrielle.”
I threw my arms around her neck. “Thanks, Erica, I love you.”
“You’re welcome. I love you, too.”
∞
“Gabrielle, we’ll miss you?” Justine and Kathy hugged me tight.
“We’ll see each other. Bring the kids into the bakery any time.”
“We will, Chica.” Justine smiled.
Kathy threw her hands in the air. “All you’re taking away is a cactus plant and family photos.”
We laughed. “I hoped one day my dream would come true, and I’d open up my bakery. It doesn’t feel real.”
Kathy rubbed my back. “It’s real.”
“I better get going. I want to stop by the bakery tonight on my way home.” I waved goodbye.
I strolled out of the door of Oak Prime Payroll for the last time. Stuffing my hands in my coat pockets, I trekked toward the Marta station.
I thought back to the other night. My sister was right. Chandler’s truck was parked outside the apartment building. I couldn’t sleep knowing he was downstairs. Not sure what made him step out onto the desolate city street. The moment he did, our eyes locked.
The spare room I slept in was my sisters craft room. Yards of fabric and rolls of vinyl were stuffed in bags throughout the cramped space. I tugged on a sweater, pushed up the second story window, and leaned on the window seal.
“Erica informed me you were out here every night.”
He braced his forearms against the hood of his truck. “My family’s here.”
A tingling sensation swept through my belly.
“My job is to protect you and our child no matter what.”
“You could hire someone to watch over us.”
“I could. But I’d rather watch over my family.”
“You haven’t gone to work?”
He cleared his throat and squeezed his eyes with two fingers. “It’s been a rough road. You’re here and I’m at my condo. You know what, I am going back to work tomorrow. Do me a favor.”
“What?” I grimaced.
“Go home. I’ll sign the house over to you.”
“Will I find you parked down the street from the house too?”
“Gabrielle, wherever you are I’ll be.” He tapped his hand against the hood of the truck. “Go to bed.”
Chandler hopped back behind the wheel, but didn’t drive away.
I closed the window and cried myself to sleep. The roar of the rickety subway screeching to a halt rattled me from my thoughts.
The second I sat down, I texted Chandler.
Me- I am sleeping at home today and tomorrow. Can we meet at Centennial Park Saturday morning at ten? I am ready to talk.
The signal was shitty on the Marta sometimes. The text would probably send once I was on the platform.
“Next stop, Buckhead Station,” the conductor announced.
A few minutes later, I walked down a side street toward our house. Chandler was at work. Sleeping in my comfortable bed was heavy on my mind. I’d call my sister in a bit and let her know I wasn’t coming over. The wind whipped through my body, reminding me Thanksgiving was upon us.
“Gabrielle.”
The tiny hairs stood on my neck. I glanced over my shoulder, still walking. “Daniel?”
I halted. “Hey, how are you?”
He danced around with his hands deep in his jacket pockets. “I’m well. I saw you walking past. I live up this street a couple doors down.”
“Oh, cool. I should have known all the firefighters would live nearby the station,” I laughed.
“Would you like to come in and warm up?”
“No thanks. I’m almost home. Good to see you. Bye.” I continued on my way.
He kind of creeped me out. I wasn’t sure why.
“Gabrielle.”
I sighed and before I could turn around, he wrapped his arm around my body. “Wrong answer.” Daniel pressed a white cloth against my nose and mouth. That was the last thing I remembered.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHANDLER
My poor choices caught up with me. I shouldn’t have hidden who I was from Gabrielle. Now we were both miserable without each other. I’d do whatever needed to be done to get my woman back.
“Hey, buddy, how’s domestic life?” Taviani chuckled.
I hung my jacket on the hook in my locker then plopped on the cedar bench. “She broke up with me.”
His eyes widened as he sat at my side.
“What happened?”
“Short story. My family owns Cassady Energy. We aren’t known in the south. Just on the west coast.”
“Dude, why are you a firefighter?”
“My mother died in a fire when I was a kid. I walked away from my family and dedicated my life to rescuing others.”
“That’s selfless of you.”
“Gabrielle doesn’t see it that way. That’s all right. I will do all I can to get her back.”
“I believe in you, man.” His heavy hand landed on my shoulder. “Oh, hey I forgot to tell you. I found another similarity in those condo fires.”
My brow rose. “What was it?”
“Kerosene.”
I hopped up. “That’s great. Let’s inform the Chief.”
Taviani and I spent most of the day investigating the condo fires.
Around six in the evening, I received a text from Gabrielle. My face lit up.
“Taviani, I need to drive by my house when we’re done here.”
He snapped several photos. “Yeah, sure.” His New York accent was so pronounced.
Ten minutes later, my cell rang.
“Firefighter Cassady speaking.”
“Chandler?”
“Yes, this is him.”
“Oh, thank God. I didn’t have your number, so I called the firehouse.”
My heart plummeted. “It’s no problem. What’s wrong?”
“Gabrielle never made it here. If she wasn’t coming, she would have called.”
“She sent me a text. Gabrielle said she was sleeping at home.”
“Chandler, I understand. And I know my sister. She would have called me by now. She knew I’d start calling if I didn’t hear from her.”
I ran my hand over my brow. “I’ll stop by my house then give you a call back.”
She sighed. “Thank you.”
“No, problem. Talk to you soon.”
I shoved my cell in my pocket. “Taviani, we need to swing by my house now. Gabrielle’s sister’s worried.”
“Ok. I think I found something else.” He kneeled beside the charred wall.
I peeked over his shoulder. “What did you find?”
“Our possible missing thermal camera.”
“We don’t know for sure. We’ll call Cap and ask him to question the last person who signed it out.”
“Sounds good.”
I unlocked my front door and stalked inside. “Gabrielle,” I called out.
There was normally something in the sink by this time of day. A plate or a cup. I didn’t see her purse either. There was no sign of her. “Baby, where are you?”
I said aloud.
I placed my cell to my ear, firmly gripping the brim of my cap.
“You’ve reached Gabrielle of Gabby Cakes. Please leave a message.”
I stormed out of the house. “Gabrielle, call me back as soon as you get this. Erica and I are worried about you.”
I disconnected and hopped in the truck.
Tapping the steering wheel, I held my cell to my ear again.
“Hello, Erica.”
“Chandler, did you find, Gabby?”
“No, she wasn’t at home. I’ll keep looking.”
“Oh my God, I hope you find her.” Concern laced her voice.
“I will talk to you soon.”
I gruffly rubbed my chin as I glanced at Taviani. “Gabrielle might’ve gone to the bakery.” I drove up the street, halting at the main intersection.
Taviani’s phone rang. He hit the speaker button. “Cap, go ahead.”
“Yeah, the last person who signed the thermal camera out and back in was Murphy.”
“Is it in the supply closet?” I asked.
“No.”
“Could he be connected to the fires?” Taviani asked.
“We’d have to investigate him. He’s off today.”
“Wait.” I glanced at the sky. “I see smoke.”
“Hold on,” Cap said. “There’s a call coming in. Fire at five-hundred-eighty Peachtree Street.”
“That’s my condo building.”
“We’ll meet you guys at the scene.”
The line went dead.
I pulled truck two into the parking lot. Taviani and I jumped out and climbed into our turnout gear. We always carried our gear when we investigated a fire. Never knew what could happen. Like now.
“Cassady, the smoke’s coming from the top floor.”
Gabrielle was on my mind. I hoped she was at her shop.
“Taviani, I’ll go up. You stay close to the truck.”
“Yeah, on it.”
Mask in place, I trudged up ten flights of stairs. I swung open the door and smoke escaped. Fire rolled across the ceiling to my left.
“Taviani, let rescue one know we need a hose on the tenth floor.”
“Copy that.”
“Fire department evacuate the building.”
“Help, please help!” A woman screamed to my right. I barreled down the hallway.
I slammed my axe into the door, until the lock busted. I kicked the door in.
“Fire department call out!”
“He’s going to kill me,” I heard in the distance.
“Gabrielle,” I murmured.
There wasn’t any sign of fire at this end of the hall. I peeked around the corner. Gabrielle was tied to a chair in the middle of an empty living room.
“Taviani, we have a hostage situation. Go to channel two and dispatch the police.”
“Ok. But Cassady, you have to get out of there.”
“I can’t. It’s Gabrielle.”
Walking along the wall, I peeked into the room.
“Fire department call out!”
“Cassady, just the man I was waiting for. I wondered if I left enough bread crumbs.” He stepped into view wearing his firefighter turnout gear. Smart, who would question a firefighter roaming the premises when a building is on fire.
“Let Gabrielle go. This has nothing to do with her.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s all about her. We went to high school together.”
“I don’t remember you, Daniel.”
“What about the name Roger? I asked you to prom, and you turned me down.”
“That was years ago. We were kids. I wanted to go to the prom with someone else and you became upset. That’s all I remember.”
He ran his hand tightly over his pale face. “That’s because I was the pudgy guy with glasses.”
“I had a crush on you since ninth grade. It took years to save money for the plastic surgery and gastric bypass. The moment I was ready to reintroduce myself to Gabrielle, who does she notice? Firefighter Cassady. No one had a chance with you in her sights. Those poor idiots at her job definitely never had a chance. I thought transferring to rescue station one would help you notice me. And forget about Cassady.” His eyes darted back to me. "Nope, Mr. Starry eyes here moved in on my woman.”
I stalked toward him. “This shit is over.” I shoved him back.
“I need to get her out of here. She’s carrying my child.”
His eyes widened. He ran into me head first, knocking me to the floor. We tussled in our turnout gear. Oxygen tanks and all. I pushed him off of me and ran onto the roof deck. He stormed after me. I needed to get him away from Gabrielle.
“Time to die, Cassady.”
In a fighting stance we walked in circles. I slammed my foot into his chest. He lost his footing and fell near the edge.
I grabbed him up by his jacket. “It’s over.”
“Not on your life,” Murphy yelled.
Smooch crawled on the ladder toward us.
I ripped off Murphy’s hat and slammed my fist into his face. “You need help.”
“Freeze. Hands in the air.” Straddling, Murphy I didn’t move.
Officer Bennett approached. She placed my hands behind my head and pulled me to my feet. Murphy crawled over the edge and fell on the ladder. Smooch tried holding squirming Murphy. Bennett’s partner latched onto him and pulled him back onto the roof. He handcuffed him and read him his rights.
“Officer Bennett, Cassady called for backup.”
She nodded at Smooch and released me.
“Did you see the woman in the chair?”
“Yes, Captain Simpson carried her out.”
“Thanks, Officer Bennett.”
I ran down the stairs. “Cap,” I called out.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Cassady.”
“Captain Simpson, if you don’t mind...”
He placed Gabrielle in my arms. “Thank you, sir.”
My eyes marveled hers. “Baby, are you ok?”
She nodded then removed the oxygen mask. “I love you.”
I placed the mask back over her nose. “I love you, too.”
EPILOGUE
CHANDLER
ONE YEAR LATER
The store doorbell chimed. I removed two cakes from the oven and placed them on the cooling table.
“Chandler,” Gabrielle called.
“Yeah, babe.”
My forehead creased. “Grandfather? When did you get in?”
I slipped the apron over my head and set it on the counter.
“Thirty-minutes ago.”
I embraced him. “It’s so good to see you.” He had a head full of gray hair. He and my dad shared the same bright gray eyes, and he was a foot shorter than me.
“We haven’t seen you since the wedding in person, anyway. I’m convinced you talk to my wife more than me.”
We laughed.
Gabrielle hugged him. “It’s good to see you again, Jack. Have a seat.”
I called one of our employees from the back of the bakery to assist the customers.
“When will I see my great grandson?”
“In an hour.” Gabrielle smiled.
“What’s so important that I needed to fly to Atlanta?”
“I wanted you to spend time with me and my family. I’ll in turn visit you more often.”
“What?” His eyes lit up.
“My beautiful wife told me family is important. We want Chandler junior to know his family.”
“I am so thankful for you, my dear.”
Her face brightened.
∞
Grandfather enjoyed the trip. He spent time with his great grandson and he met my firefighter family. He understood what I had here and why I wasn’t willing to run the company full time. I consult from time to time on conference calls.
Gabrielle urged me to purchase a bigger house deeper in Buckhead. One with two floors. She said Chandler junior (C.J.) needed space to grow.
&
nbsp; Ever since the night Murphy kidnapped Gabrielle, we’ve been inseparable. We didn’t waste time tying the knot in Saint Croix. My honeymoon was my first real vacation since I’d traveled abroad.
Gabrielle and I were meant to be. She was always the woman for me. When the bakery had been short staffed, I chipped in and baked cakes.
We’ve had our share of ups and downs. There was absolutely no other woman I could ever see sharing my life with other than my beautiful wife Gabrielle.
She gave me a very special gift. Our son.
“Chandler, come to bed.”
She slipped under my arm. I stared down at our brown haired, curly little man. He was in a deep slumber.
“You did good, Mrs. Cassady.”
“We did good, Mr. Cassady. It’s time for a little play time before he wakes in the middle of the night.”
I flipped off the lights and closed his door.
The mini mansion still made me nervous. The nightmares about my mom would probably never go away. But my wife was there by my side to help me through the rough times. Just for that alone, she’d always be number one in my heart.
The second we stepped into our bedroom. I scooped her up into my arms. She looped her arms and legs around me.
Our gazes locked, then her lips melted against mine. A tear slipped down her beautiful brown face. Gabrielle caressed my cheek. “You, firefighter Chandler Cassady, will always be...my hero.”
THE END
KEEP READING...
A BILLIONAIRE’S CLASH WITH LOVE
“WHAT IS THIS? IS THIS supposed to be a vodka cranberry or cranberry and vodka? Bloody hell, add more vodka. Don’t skimp.” The caramel skin woman with long wavy brown hair said to the bartender.
I laughed.
She glanced at me. “What’s so funny?”
I ran my hand over my hair. “That English accent. Are you practicing for a part in a stage play? If so, you might want to work on it.”
She laughed. “Hurtful. I enjoy playing around on vacation. You know, be someone else for a change.”
I circled my index finger around the rim of my glass of whiskey. “I like that. I need to do the same.”
I extended my hand. “Mario Rodriguez.”
