Gabe

by Ruth Cardello

  “As soon as my occupancy clause is over, I’ll take you to meet all of them.”

  “I’d love that. You’ve told me so much about them.” She looked down and then back up at him. “Do we have to tell them about all of this? I want a normal life. That won’t be possible if I go public with everything.”

  “Normal?” He laughed then realized how serious she was. “I’ll make you a deal: I’ll tell everyone that we met on the ranch. That’s it. Our boring version will be the one we take to the grave. No one needs to know the truth if—”

  “If?” she parroted.

  “You agree to marry me. I will never meet another woman who comes close to you. I think I fell in love with you the first time I saw your cute little ass hanging out of those jean shorts.”

  “That’s not love,” she said with a frown.

  His first response was the big, stupid grin that talking to her always inspired. “Love can start there.” When she didn’t agree he arched an eyebrow in challenge. “You love me. What did it for you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “First, you don’t tell someone they love you. You wait until they say it.”

  He gave her what he hoped was a smoldering look. If she wanted him to woo her with poems and sweet words, he could do that, too, but he was also a man of action. “Are you saying you don’t?”

  She said nothing for a moment and merely met his gaze. His certainty wavered, then returned, then wavered again. A slow, wicked smile spread across her face. “Let me think about that for a moment.” He frowned and she laughed. “Okay, okay, I do.” She shot him a mischievous smile. “That first night under the stars when you were misnaming planets and looking so proud of yourself. It was so adorable I knew I was a goner.”

  “That wasn’t exactly my best moment.”

  “And my ass hanging out of my shorts was mine?”

  He raised and lowered a shoulder. “I guess it’s a matter of perspective.” He looked her over and his mood lightened. “So, will you?”

  “What?”

  “Marry me?”

  “You’re asking me right now?” She looked down at the gun she still had pointed at him. “Seriously?”

  “We can tell everyone else I did it at a restaurant with flowers and everyone clapped, but really, is that what you’d want?”

  “What kind of flowers?”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “Josephine Ashby, you and I are going to have the most wonderful life together—as soon as you trust me. Ditch the gun.”

  She reset the safety and tossed it to one side. Gabe pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. When he finally raised his head he said, “You really did tie up all my men in the lab, didn’t you?”

  She nodded.

  Gabe sent a text to Andre. Keeping Josephine safe trumped everything else. Where is Zainer?

  He was just picked up trying to cross into Canada. We have him.

  Good. All is secure here. Forward me the video. I’ll call you later.

  As soon as it downloaded, Gabe took her by the hand and led her to the bench on the porch of the house. If he could have taken her pain he would have. “It’s not going to be easy to watch.”

  She took the phone. “I know.”

  They sat somberly beside each other while she watched the entire video. When it stopped, she played it again. When it ended for the second time, she went to play it again and Gabe took the phone out of her hands. “It’s over.”

  She let out a soft sob as tears poured down her cheeks. “I knew it.”

  Gabe held her close. She was his new priority. More than anything he wanted to make sure the video brought her comfort and not more suffering. “He wanted to help that man. Your father was a good man until his very last breath.”

  She wiped tears away as they kept flowing down her cheeks. “He was. He was hardheaded, but in his heart he was a good person.”

  Gabe kissed her on the temple. “Like his daughter.”

  She nodded and sniffed.

  Gabe continued, “I remember asking my father why he wanted us to live on a ranch. We could have all grown up in the city. He said places like this are where you find yourself. I never believed him, but I did find myself here. I understand now what my father wanted for me. It’s not the house or canyon. It’s how much of my parents live on here in the things they taught us and the memories I forgot we’d made here. I’ve always considered myself like my father, but until you, I didn’t understand how my father could have changed so much after he lost our mother. I understand now. I can’t imagine how empty my life would be without you in it.”

  Fresh tears poured down her cheeks, but she was smiling. “I feel the same way. I can’t imagine you and all your ties not in my life.” Josephine kissed his lips softly. “I will marry you, but I still want the pretty flowers and the ring.”

  “You’ll get both if—”

  “Another if?” she asked, this time with humor.

  “If you stay here with me. I intend to keep the ranch, but I’m stuck here until the end of the occupancy clause. We could call it a honeymoon.”

  “Don’t we have to be married first to have one of those?” She sniffed again and her smile widened.

  “How about we call it practice for the real one?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  A month later, dressed in a tux, Gabe paced the hallway in the main house of the ranch and hoped he’d made the right decision. I should have invited my family.

  He’d spoken to his family about Josephine and how serious he was about her, but his relationship with them was a work in progress. He didn’t want to tell Josephine they would be there if they weren’t going to show up. He’d been absent from their lives long enough that he wouldn’t have blamed them for skipping the event, but that morning when he’d set up the small white altar on the front lawn, he’d wished they were there. He not only wanted it for himself, but even if she wouldn’t admit it, Josephine desperately wanted family.

  I should have given that to her today.

  A car pulled up in the driveway. Gabe walked out onto the porch and smiled. He walked down onto the driveway to meet his brother. “Luke.”

  “You look nervous. Ready for your big day?” Luke hugged him then went around the car to open the passenger doors. “Hope you don’t mind that I brought company.”

  The woman had a warm, welcoming smile. “I’m Lizzie.”

  “I’ve heard a lot about you,” Gabe said and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I don’t know how you knew to come, but I’m glad you did.”

  Lizzie introduced her niece, Kaitlyn, then said, “What was the name of the man who told us about today? Frank something?”

  Luke nodded. “Frank Muller, the caretaker.” He met Gabe’s eyes intently. “Why didn’t you tell me about today?”

  Rather than go into the past, Gabe said, “It’s been a rough year for everyone. We thought we’d make an announcement later.”

  “You’re my brother, Gabe. This is where we all belong today—regardless of what else is going on in our lives. This is what matters.”

  Lizzy slid beneath his arm and hugged him. The way Luke gazed down at her was all Gabe needed to see to know that Luke would soon be following in his matrimonial footsteps.

  With a smile, Luke said, “I’m not saying I wasn’t surprised at the news. You’re the last person I’d expect to leap without looking, but I guess it’s about time you experienced a free fall. Now, maybe I can get you to go skydiving with me.”

  Gabe shook his head. “I haven’t lost my mind; I’ve just fallen in love. And aren’t your skydiving days behind you? You have better ways to occupy your time now.” He’d nodded at Lizzie.

  “I do feel less of a need to jump out of a plane to get my heart pumping. I’ve got Lizzie for that.” Luke’s gaze sought Lizzie’s again.

  Oh, yeah, he has it bad.

  Another car pulled in. Hunter.

  “Don’t tell me, Frank Muller contacted you.”

  “Actually,
it was Luke. He said you need a photographer today.” After greeting everyone, he took out a professional camera and snapped a photo of Gabe in his tux and joked, “This will be part of my before and after collage. Gabe when he still had his balls. Six months from now when Josephine is picking out your ties and you can’t make a move without asking her permission, I want to see if you’re this happy.”

  The joke didn’t stop Gabe from giving his brother a back-slapping hug. “I’ve missed you, bro. Document all you want. Life is only going to get better and better for me. With her at my side there is no tree too high to climb. She’s the piece of me I didn’t know I was missing.”

  Hunter nodded in approval. “I can’t imagine myself ever settling down, but you look happy, Gabe. That’s all it takes for her to have my vote.” Hunter took out his phone and turned it toward Gabe. “Finn wanted to be here but he couldn’t get back in time. He has a serious question for you, though.”

  “Gabe. I wanted to be there, but—”

  “You are here,” Gabe said. His heart swelled as he said the words. More than anything else, this is what I wanted to give Josie. A family. I thought I’d have to chase them, pull them around to seeing things the way I do now. But here they are. “Now, what’s the question?”

  With a heavy layer of little brother sarcasm, Finn asked, “When you start popping out kids and driving a mini-van, can I have your Aston Martin?”

  “No,” Gabe had answered with a straight face, and they all laughed.

  A helicopter landed on the side lawn, announcing the arrival of James, Aunt Claire, and Knox. Gabe prepared himself for the hug he knew was coming and wasn’t disappointed. She hugged him so tight he could barely breathe, but he didn’t mind.

  When she released him, she wagged a finger at him, but there was no anger in her eyes—just love. Her big hooped earrings shone in the sun, as bright as the sparkle in her eyes. “I’m so angry with you for not inviting me, but so happy that you’re having your wedding here. And proud of you for keeping the ranch.” She cupped his face with her hands. “Are you happy we’re here?”

  He took her hands in his and gave them each a light squeeze. “More than you know.”

  She blinked quickly. “Good, because I’m not leaving.”

  That inspired a general wave of laughter from the others.

  Knox gave Gabe a clap on the shoulder. “None of us are. Unless, of course, you don’t feed us.” He took out his phone. “I almost forgot. Max couldn’t fly back in time, but he’s standing by on his side.”

  Max waved from the phone. “Congratulations, bro. Glad you decided to keep the ranch. I’ll come crash with you next time I’m in town. I hear your girl is shy. It’s smart to marry her fast before we scare her off.”

  Not wanting to give too much away, Gabe said wryly, “She’s not exactly a wilting flower. You’ll like her.”

  “All that matters is that you do,” Max said. “Happy for you, man.”

  Gabe was still smiling when James asked to speak to him on the side. Of all of his brothers, they were the most alike, and he could tell something was bothering James. “I know it’s late in the game, but there’s something you need to know before you get married today. I had Josephine investigated. She’s not just a fill-in caretaker. Her father—”

  Gabe hugged his brother spontaneously, an act that shocked James into silence. “Thank you for looking out for me. I mean that sincerely.”

  Still off kilter, James lowered his voice. “Her father was cleared of all wrong doing, but his death left many wondering about your fiancée. There’s a rumor that her IQ is in the top one percent globally. Her father’s work may have been hers. No one can pin down what she has been up to, but there is chatter that she went into hiding to work on something huge. That’s why she was on the ranch.”

  “Where were you a month ago?” Gabe asked with irony that was lost on James.

  “Right where I’ve always been. All you ever needed to do was pick up the phone.”

  I see that now. It took losing Dad and coming here to see that I am rich in ways that have nothing to do with my bank account. “I will from now on. But, James, keep what you learned about Josephine to yourself. It’s nothing I didn’t already know. She wants a normal life, and I want to give that to her.”

  James looked like he wanted to say more but nodded once.

  Gabe wasn’t an emotional man, however his gut twisted each time he imagined not having Josephine in his life. He wasn’t afraid of marriage. He couldn’t imagine a day without her in it. “I love her, James.”

  His words seemed to leave his brother unsettled, but Gabe understood why. Before Josephine, he’d thought he was happy. If asked, he would have said he had everything he wanted.

  Then wham.

  Love had a terrifying way of changing everything.

  No man was ever ready, but every man was better for it.

  Across the driveway, Josephine was in her original bedroom in the guest house looking at herself in the mirror. She’d spent the morning trying to calm her nerves by playing music, soaking in the bath, and telling herself that being as happy as she was didn’t mean anything was about to go wrong.

  She applied a light layer of makeup then stepped into delicate layers of white satin and crystal roses. She was able to button most of the back herself, but when she came to a part she couldn’t reach a wave of sadness hit her.

  I wish you were here, Dad. Your big fingers would fumble with the buttons, but you’d make a joke that would have us both laughing about it.

  She spun before the mirror. I’m getting married. Can you believe it? She smiled sadly. You’d like Gabe. He’s not like us, but that’s good. I rev high and fast and he stays grounded. I need that. And he isn’t intimidated by the real me. I can have the life I always dreamed of and still work on projects on the side.

  She tried again to reach the last few buttons again and couldn’t. They’d have to wait until she saw either Gabe or one of his men. Still facing her reflection, she was temporarily succumbing to the void her father’s death had left in her life. I don’t know what happens when we die. In nature, energy never disappears, it only changes form. Is that Heaven?

  Gabe makes me happy—happier than I ever imagined I could be, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still miss you every single day. I wish there were a way to know that you’re okay. Sure you can’t do a little tinkering up there and send me a sign that you’re okay? Still with me?

  A knock on the door surprised her and she jumped. “Come in.”

  Frank Muller ducked his head shyly as he walked in. His normally unruly white hair had been trimmed and combed back. Despite his slight stature, he carried himself with dignity. “If you’re ready, there’s something I’d like to give you.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him and pointed at the six or seven undone buttons at the top. “Would you mind lending a hand first?”

  He didn’t meet her eyes, but Frank had always been shy like that. “Someone should invent something that would make that easier.”

  She smiled. “Someone did. It’s called a zipper, but I fell in love with this dress.”

  He nodded, but his expression said he was still mulling possibilities. “There’s no reason a zipper couldn’t be automated.”

  Josephine chuckled. “No reason at all. You build it and I’ll buy it.” When he was directly behind her she held out her hand to him. “Thank you for coming back for the wedding.”

  He took her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. “You timed it right. My daughter and little Elynn are finally home. I’m not staying past tonight, but I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”

  Josephine’s heart swelled with happiness for him. “You’re a grandfather.”

  He gave her hand another squeeze then released it. “I am and it changes everything. My daughter said she needs me, so that’s where I belong. I may even join a team somewhere. If someone steals my ideas, they steal them. What I won’t let them rob from me is a moment w
ith my granddaughter.” He began to button the back of Josephine’s dress. “Your father felt the same about you. You were his life.”

  Tears welled, but Josephine blinked them back. “He was not only my father, but also my best friend. It’s hard to not have him here today.”

  After the last button was clasped, Frank said gently, “Come with me.”

  Josephine slipped on her white satin shoes and followed Frank into the living room. On the coffee table in front of the couch there were several thick leather albums. She looked at them and back to Frank for confirmation that it was okay to handle them.

  “Go on,” he said in a soft tone. “They’re yours.”

  She sat gingerly on the edge of the couch and opened the top album. There was a photo of her as a baby along with a letter addressed to Frank. In the letter, her father told Frank all about how proud he was that she was already cutting teeth. Nothing written in the letter was of consequence, but the love her father had for her was evident in every line. She flipped through page after page. Through letters and photos to Frank her father had documented not only her life but how he had celebrated each of her achievements. The later leather journals listed her contributions to each of the projects they’d done together. There were photos of them together, photos of their inventions, and letters to accompany it all. She made a joke only because she was verging on bursting into tears. “You realize we’re in a digital age.”

  Frank took a seat across from her. “I don’t trust the Internet. Never have. Your father knew that. He also understood your decision to not be in the limelight, but that didn’t make him less proud of you. I knew you’d be missing your daddy today and had these in the main house. I’m a man of science, so you won’t hear me preaching, but a love like your father had for you doesn’t disappear. He’s here with you, Josephine, and he’s happy his little girl found a man who could put up with her.”

  Josephine leaned forward and slapped his knee lightly. “Oh, you’ll pay for that.” Then she sat back and looked down at the journals again. “Thank you, Frank. For everything.”