Swan Point

by Sherryl Woods

  “Gabe says everything tastes better when it’s cooked on the grill,” Tomas announced. “We did peppers and squash and even some onions.” He wrinkled his nose at that.

  Gabe caught his expression and chided, “But we’re all going to try everything, right? Because that’s the only way to know if we really like it or not.”

  “I guess,” Tomas said, his expression doubtful. “But I don’t have to eat it if it’s yucky. That’s the deal.”

  Gabe nodded, fighting a smile. “That’s the deal.”

  “It’s a better deal than I ever got,” Adelia told him as he set the platter on the table. She turned to Selena. “Bring in the ketchup and mustard, please. I forgot those.”

  As soon as they were seated, Adelia realized she was starving. She’d lost her appetite at her mother’s earlier and eaten very little of the food on her plate. Now, surrounded by her laughing kids and with Gabe across the table, she finally let herself relax.

  As the platter was passed, she noted that Gabe put a little of everything on Tomas’s plate. She hid a grin as her son reluctantly tried tiny bites of each vegetable. He looked up at Gabe with a shocked expression. “They’re really good,” he announced.

  “Told you,” Gabe said.

  Her son’s reaction had the desired effect and she noted that everyone’s plate was quickly piled high with grilled veggies. She met Gabe’s gaze. “Miracle worker,” she mouthed.

  He laughed at that.

  When everyone was starting to slow down, Selena announced, “I told Mom I think we should have a game night. How about it?”

  Juanita and Natalia immediately bounced eagerly in their chairs and shouted their agreement. Tomas looked skeptical.

  “Daddy hated game night,” he said.

  “Oh, so what?” Selena said. “It’s fun. I thought we could play team Scrabble.” She gave her brother a sly look. “You could play with Gabe.”

  Tomas immediately looked more interested. “Are you gonna play, Gabe?”

  Adelia waited almost breathlessly for his response.

  “Sounds as if I’ve been drafted,” Gabe said. He leaned toward Tomas. “But you’re going to have to teach me. I haven’t played a lot of Scrabble.”

  “I can do that,” Tomas agreed. “My spelling’s not so good, but I know strategy and stuff.”

  “Then we should make a good team,” Gabe told him. “I got A’s in spelling.”

  “Seriously?” Tomas said, wide-eyed. “Daddy always said it didn’t matter, that that’s what spell-check on the computer was for.”

  “Well, in my day, we had to learn to spell the old-fashioned way,” Gabe told him. “We practiced and practiced.”

  “Could you practice with me sometime?” Tomas begged. “I get new words every week.”

  Gabe nodded. “Get your list. Maybe we can use them in the game.”

  “Okay, it’s settled then,” Adelia said. “Kids, I want to see your homework before we start to make sure it’s ready for school tomorrow. While you get that, I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

  Gabe automatically picked up dishes and carried them into the kitchen. Adelia frowned at him. “You don’t need to do that. You cooked, after all.”

  “Maybe I’m looking for a few more points,” he said solemnly. “Or a couple of minutes alone with you away from prying eyes.”

  She flushed at his teasing. “Why would you need to be alone with me?”

  He backed her up toward the counter, then braced his hands on either side of her. “For this,” he said, brushing his lips over hers. “And this.” He settled in for a longer taste, then stepped away at the sound of footsteps running in their direction.

  “Guess that’ll have to do for now,” he said, pulling away. He winked at her. “Fair warning, though. If I win at Scrabble, I expect a really, really nice reward.”

  She laughed at the impudent comment. “Winning should be its own reward.”

  “You might be able to convince your kids of that, but I know there are things that matter more. There’s a whole lot I’d do for a few more stolen kisses.”

  “Gabe Franklin,” she said a little breathlessly, “if you keep this up, you’re going to turn my head. Is that your intention?”

  He seemed surprised by the idea, but then a smile stole across his face. “You know, I think maybe it is.”

  Adelia was shaken by the intensity she heard in his voice. How long had it been since any man had wanted her? Even more, how long had it been since one had openly put his heart on the line? After so many years of being viewed as the woman who raised Ernesto’s kids and kept his house spotless, but little more, it was heady stuff to be seen as a desirable woman.

  Suddenly she couldn’t wait to put this Scrabble tournament behind them. In fact, she might even throw a game or two Gabe’s way just so she could see how clever he was about claiming his rewards.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The Scrabble board had been put away. The exhausted kids had gone to bed. Gabe could see that Adelia was completely drained, but there was a brightness in her eyes as she held the score sheet up for him to see.

  “This tells me you bamboozled us,” she accused. “You know a whole lot more about playing Scrabble than you let on.”

  “Just luck,” he claimed. “I got great letters and your son has killer instincts about how to make the best use of them.”

  “He might have the instincts, but you’re a very good coach. I actually have high hopes that he might pass his spelling test this week.”

  Gabe gave her a long, speculative look. “So, you’re saying I not only won, but that you’re pleased with how I got Tomas to study for his spelling test?”

  “You have a definite knack for both,” she agreed.

  He stepped closer. “So, any thoughts about what sort of reward I deserve?” He ran a finger along the curve of her jaw and down her neck. He felt her pulse jump and her skin heat.

  She gave him a surprisingly innocent look, though there was an unmistakable twinkle in her eyes. “I’ll buy you an extralarge coffee in the morning,” she offered.

  Gabe shook his head and traced her lower lip with his thumb. “Not quite what I had in mind.”

  She swallowed hard. “Pastry?” she suggested in a choked voice. “I’ll buy your pastry, too. Two, if you want. Even three.”

  “Nope. I want something sweeter,” he said softly, his gaze holding hers. “And more immediate.”

  “What if...” Her voice shook. “What if that’s not available?”

  “Isn’t it? What I want, what I need is standing right here, right now.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth. After barely more than a heartbeat of hesitation, she surrendered to the kiss, parting her lips, taking him in. Gabe lost himself in the sweetness of the moment. This woman who’d been through so much, not just today, but for months now, was trusting him, welcoming him. He suddenly felt ten feet tall.

  Still, this wasn’t the time or the place to claim all he wanted from her, not with her children right upstairs and her so exhausted she might not be thinking clearly. Reluctantly, he took a step back, still holding her lightly.

  “I want even more than that, Adelia,” he told her candidly. “Not because of some game, but because I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”

  She looked as if she desperately wanted to believe him, but he could see the doubts crowding in and wanted, yet again, to curse Ernesto for planting those seeds in her head. If he were being honest, he’d probably added to those doubts with his repeated warnings that he didn’t do the whole forever thing. Since he couldn’t take back his words, he focused on her shaky self-confidence.

  He brushed her thick dark hair back from her face and kept his hands gentle on her cheeks. “You don’t believe me now, but you will,” he told her. “I’ll m
ake sure you start to see yourself as I do.”

  “And then what?” she blurted, then covered her mouth with her hand, obviously embarrassed.

  “Then we’ll see,” he said, his expression sobering as she called him on the very thing he’d been trying to avoid. “I won’t make false promises to you, Adelia. Not ever. This is new to me, too. I’m not sure I know how to do a real relationship. I don’t know if I can.”

  “Oh,” she whispered, looking shaken by the repeated warning.

  “Look at me,” he commanded. When she dared to lift her eyes to meet his, he said, “But you make me want to try, Adelia. No woman’s ever done that before. Lately, spending time with you, with your family...” He fell silent, almost afraid of the thought, much less of expressing it. Nights like tonight had been nonexistent in his past. He’d never known how happy being with a family could make him. On the rare occasions when he and his mom had been included in family events, any joy had been overshadowed by anger and recriminations and judgment. Tonight had given him a taste of something far different, something he found himself longing to claim.

  When he was about to say more, she touched a finger to his lips. “It’s okay, Gabe. There’s no rush. I’m not exactly ready to jump into anything too serious, either.”

  Perversely, that made him want to do the opposite, to jump straight into wherever this might be taking them. Instead, though, he let her have the last word on the topic.

  “You need to get some sleep,” he said. “You’ve had a long and stressful day.”

  “You made it better,” she told him. “You really did. Thank you for being here for me and for being so good with my kids.”

  “Anytime, darlin’. And that really is a promise.”

  He left then, because he didn’t entirely trust himself not to make more promises or to ask for more from her as he’d just been so tempted to do. If he did either of those things and then bailed, as he feared he someday would, he’d never forgive himself for disappointing her.

  * * *

  Adelia took a late morning break, put a sign on the boutique’s door and ran next door to the bakery for coffee. She could barely keep her eyes open. Between worrying about her sister and thinking about Gabe, she’d barely slept a wink the night before.

  Lynn took one look at her and poured her a large cup of coffee to go. “If you don’t mind me saying so, you look beat, and that’s coming from a woman who knows a thing or two about exhaustion.” Lynn studied her speculatively. “Is it too much to hope that you had a late night with Gabe?”

  “Gabe was over, but it wasn’t like that,” Adelia told her. “We played Scrabble with the kids. It was a relatively early evening.”

  To her surprise, Lynn grinned. “Ah, so that’s it. Frustration is what kept you awake.”

  Adelia laughed. “What is it with you Sweet Magnolias? Your minds are always on romance and sex.”

  “Because we have men who make us very happy,” Lynn said, her own contentment plain. “We want that for everyone. And maybe since we’re all settled into our old married ruts, we want to live vicariously through the courtship rituals.”

  “Well, there’s no courting going on,” Adelia insisted, though she feared the heat she could feel in her cheeks would give her away.

  “Not buying that,” Lynn said, dismissing the claim without a second’s hesitation. “Gabe’s no fool. I also think he’s the kind of man who’ll go after what he wants. And all the signs point to his wanting you.”

  “What if I’m not sure I can handle what he wants?” Adelia asked, unable to keep a plaintive note from her voice.

  Lynn’s teasing expression sobered at once. “Do you know what he wants?”

  “Well, he says he wants me, but I think he means in an uncomplicated, casual fling sort of way. Last night he was tossing around all sorts of warnings about not making promises. It was nothing he hasn’t said before, so I have to believe he means it.”

  “He probably thinks he does,” Lynn said, looking exasperated. “I suppose he’s trying to play fair, the idiot.”

  Adelia smiled at the disgust she heard in her friend’s voice. “Being fair doesn’t make him an idiot. It probably makes me the idiot for wanting to plunge in headfirst, anyway.”

  Lynn’s expression brightened at that. “You want to plunge in?”

  “Well, sure. The man can kiss like it’s an Olympic event and he’s going for the gold. And the way he is with my kids, well, let me just say that after the way Ernesto all but ignored them, seeing Gabe with them fills my heart with happiness. So, yes, I start fantasizing just a little about what the future could be like. But down that road disaster’s waiting to happen, so I’ve put my defenses firmly in place.”

  “Oh, boy,” Lynn said. “I thought you might have a little crush, but it sounds to me as if you’re way beyond that.”

  “Absolutely not,” Adelia said hurriedly. “Expecting anything more would be crazy. Gabe’s warned me again and again about that.”

  “I didn’t say you expected it, but I do think you want it.”

  Adelia sighed. “Maybe I do. And, given all the signs that it will never happen, that definitely makes me an idiot.”

  “Just because he warned you off?” Lynn asked, clearly trying to follow her logic.

  “No, because men like Gabe don’t fall for women like me. Not in some forever kind of way, anyway.”

  Lynn stared at her incredulously. “That is absolute hogwash!” she said emphatically. “Women like you? What does that even mean? Are you talking about bright, beautiful, sexy, caring, generous women? Any man would be lucky to have you. Gabe might be oblivious to what he needs in his life, but he’s not oblivious to the fact that you’re incredible.”

  Adelia let the praise sink in, then stood up. Between the pep talk, overly optimistic though it may have been, and the coffee, she felt much better.

  “Thank you, Lynn,” she said. “Maybe you should get a degree in psychology and dispense wisdom with your coffee and pastries.”

  “And exactly when would I fit those classes into my day?” Lynn asked, laughing. “Maybe I could do that instead of, say, laundry. Or dusting.” Her expression brightened as if she might actually consider that. “I really hate dusting.”

  “Ditto,” Adelia said. “I’m just saying I came in here feeling wiped out physically and emotionally, and now I feel as if I just might be able to cope with the rest of the day.”

  “Okay, then. Happy to help,” Lynn told her. “For you the advice is always free.”

  Adelia’s step was lighter when she went back next door, at least until she saw her brother leaning against the wall, obviously waiting for her. Since she knew Elliott wouldn’t willingly set foot in a place as girlie as the boutique unless he was on a mission, her heart plunged. Still, she forced a smile.

  “Well, this is an unexpected surprise,” she said as she unlocked the door and led the way inside.

  “Really?” he said, his expression dark. “I would have thought you’d be expecting me.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because something was going on at the house yesterday and you and Mama were doing everything in your power to keep me from finding out what it was.”

  “If you believe that, then what makes you think I’ll tell you anything now?”

  “Because I’ve taken the afternoon off and I can sit here all day until you decide to open up.”

  When he deliberately settled his tall, muscled frame onto a dainty little chair as if to prove his intentions, Adelia had to fight a smile.

  “I’m surprised you aren’t more worked up over finding Gabe at my house when you brought the kids home from Mama’s,” she said in an attempt to deflect his attention.

  “We’ll get to that,” he said direly. “First I want to know what you’re keeping from me.�
��

  “Nothing you don’t already know,” she claimed. “Carolina was having a bad day. Mama and I were worried about her.”

  “Is she sick?”

  Adelia considered lying and saying yes, but the lie wouldn’t hold up for more time than it took Elliott to rush over to their sister’s.

  “No, not the way you mean.”

  “Then her marriage is in trouble,” he guessed. “I’m right, aren’t I? I should have punched Ricky yesterday, when I wanted to.”

  Adelia saw little point in denying that much. “Yes, but she insists she wants to work it out herself,” she told him. “You punching out her husband wouldn’t solve anything.”

  Though she genuinely regretted that she couldn’t tell him the rest, that comment about starting a fight proved she was right to remain silent. That was for his protection as well as their sister’s. The last thing Carolina needed was to have Elliott taking on Ricky in what was bound to be a messy and likely public brawl. For now the situation needed to be dealt with in a calm way, at least until that was no longer safe or reasonable.

  “Show her that respect,” she advised her brother.

  “Is that what you were doing when you went over there?” he asked. “And don’t even pretend that wasn’t where you headed when you snuck out Mama’s back door.”

  She managed a weak smile. “But that’s because I’m the calm, rational one. You’d go in there ready to start something and only wind up making things worse.” Come to think of it, she wasn’t entirely sure she hadn’t done the same thing. She should have called Carolina first thing this morning to be sure she was okay. She resolved to do that the instant Elliott left.

  “I’m not buying any of this,” he told her. “If I find out you’re hiding something serious from me, something I should have handled, I swear, Adelia...” His voice trailed off.

  “What will you do, Elliott? Yell at me? Berate Mama? How come you’re not over there asking her all these questions?”

  “Because she’s already told me to stay out of it,” he admitted, his expression chagrined. “Once yesterday afternoon and again earlier today.”