by T. M. Cromer
Shaking her head, she laughed.
Kaley joined in, and being in complete accord was nice.
Margie glanced back down at the note in her hand and, once again, traced the elegant scrawl.
“Why don’t you want to go out with him?”
Sometimes Margie hated how perceptive her daughter could be. But Kaley’s question required honesty. “I feel old and frumpy. I can’t imagine what he sees in me.”
“Mom, you are not old and frumpy. Stace’s mom is older than you, and she’s on Tinder.”
“What’s Tinder?” Margie knew very well it was a dating app, but it was a helluva lot of fun to tease and pretend she was clueless.
Kaley rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Okay. I’m staging an intervention. I’m calling Aunt Sammy, and we’re going to have a spa day. By the time we’re done, you’ll be a babe.”
“All right. Will they teach me how to lose ten pounds in a week?” Kaley’s giggle was wonderful to hear. “Is Stacey bringing your homework by tonight, or do I need to call the school to get your assignments?”
“Stace is popping by. Can Dalton come, too?”
“Who’s Dalton?”
A long, awkward pause filled the air between them.
Margie patiently waited her out.
“He was the guy I was skipping school with two days ago.”
Margie bit her tongue against a lecture. “Tell me three things you like about him,” she ordered gently, wanting Kaley to truly think about all the reasons why she actually liked the boy.
“He’s funny.”
“Okay. What else?”
“He doesn’t treat me like a freak.”
Concerned she might’ve missed signs of bullying, Margie asked, “Why would anyone treat you like a freak, honey?”
Kaley shrugged and avoided her eyes.
Acting on impulse, Margie reached out to grab her hand and dragged her to the kitchen. “Sit.”
She dug in the cabinet for two bowls, placed them on the granite countertop, and pulled out two pints of Häagen-Dazs from the freezer. Glancing between the pints, the white bowls, and Kaley, Margie went with something completely spontaneous and put the bowls back. “Let’s eat from the cartons.”
Kaley’s gasp made her cringe. “Not a good idea? Does it gross you out?”
“No, Mom. I just never thought I’d see the day you would. Can I have the chocolate, chocolate chip?” The grin Kaley blessed her with made Margie feel as if she’d finally done something right in her daughter’s eyes.
“How about we share them both?”
“Deal.”
“So, about this boy, Dalton. What’s the third thing you like about him?”
“He doesn’t push for sex.”
“Bingo! He can come over.”
Kaley laughed around a spoonful of ice cream. “Now it’s your turn.”
“My turn?”
“Name three things you like about Gabriel.”
Margie froze like a deer caught in a driver’s high beams. She liked everything about Gabriel, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to share yet.
“Come on, Mom. Fair’s fair.”
Margie stalled by stuffing her mouth full of cookies and cream, then reached for a scoop of the pint Kaley was hoarding.
“Not until you fess up,” Kaley said and shifted the ice cream away from her reach.
“You’re a rotten kid. I gave birth to you.”
“How long are you going to continue to use that one?”
“How long can I get away with it?”
“You still owe me three things. Go.”
“Well, the obvious one is how hot he is.”
“Pfft. Really? It’s all about looks? Shallow much?” Sammy’s amused voice came from behind her and almost drove Margie out of her own skin.
Pressing her hand to her chest, Margie scowled. “Where the hell did you come from? You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Kaley and Sammy wore matching grins.
“Ah, the intervention. I didn’t realize we were starting so soon. When did this one have a chance to text you, and how did you get here so fast?” Margie pointed her spoon at Kaley.
“Damn, you’re chatty today. First, I was on my way over to see if you needed a break from nurse duty. Second, I was in the driveway when I got the text a few minutes ago. I was ogling that sexy neighbor of yours, who just happens to be mowing the lawn as we speak.”
All three of them ran for Margie’s bedroom window.
“Jesus! He’s shirtless!” Margie huffed out on a breath as she admired the tapered, muscled back.
From behind, she thought it was Gabriel, but when he turned, she saw it was actually Gordon. Disappointment filled her. What she wouldn’t have given to see Gabriel shirtless! The little devil on her shoulder told her she could if she just went to dinner with him.
“That’s Gordon,” Kaley said.
“Not bad for mid-day eye candy.” Sammy frowned. “Gordon? He isn’t by chance Gordon James, the rockstar?”
“Ohmygod! Sammy, I think you’re right!” Margie locked onto the tanned torso. The mouth-watering eight-pack stomach dipping into the low-slung shorts definitely belonged to Gordon James. “I recognize those abs from his album cover. I can’t believe I never made the connection.” She shook her head. “Opal only said that one of her nephews was a musician. Not that he was famous.”
They all watched Gordon in amazed wonder, each locked in their own private thoughts, until he cut the engine and glanced their way. As one, they ducked.
“Okay, hot-guy-mowing-the-lawn break is over. Let’s head back for the ice cream before it melts,” Sammy suggested.
They duck-walked to the hall then ran, laughing, to the kitchen. Margie pulled a third pint from the freezer and handed it over to Sammy along with a spoon.
Her sister went still and stared at her wide-eyed.
“What?”
“Since when do you eat from a carton? And how did you know my favorite brand of gelato? And for that matter, why do you have it stocked?”
Margie offered up a mysterious smile. “People change. And I overheard you telling Annie that stuff was to die for. As for why I have it stocked. Meh.”
Sammy shook her head in wonder and shoveled a spoonful into her mouth. “Ohdeargodinheaven!”
“That good?”
“Mmhmm.”
“I’m going to need a bite of that. Everyone pass their containers to the left.” Margie ordered. She took her time, packing the creamy mixture onto her spoon.
Spa day forgotten, they gorged on ice cream and gelato.
“Sammy?”
“Hmm?”
“I know I apologized, but I wanted to stress how sorry I am for being a bitch the day Kaley was hurt. Not once, but twice. There was no excuse.”
“There was every excuse. Your child was attacked. Mama bear was coming out. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same if it were my own.”
Margie had never wanted to hug her sister more. “Thank you,” she said huskily.
“We’re cool. Now shut up and eat your ice cream.”
Kaley, who had remained quiet while the sisters worked to build their bond, piped up. “You owe me two more things you like about Gabriel.”
“Who’s Gabriel?” Sammy asked as she passed her container to Margie and grabbed Kaley’s.
“A guy Mom thinks is hot.”
Sammy gave her a superior look. “I don’t know. Gordon’s smokin’. You should go for him. I doubt anyone could be better looking.”
“I’m telling Uncle Michael.”
“Don’t you dare, or I’ll have to cut you.”
Kaley rolled her eyes. “Like anyone fears that threat.”
Sammy turned to Margie with a frown. “When did your kid become such a wise-ass?”
“She showed up that way one morning after she stayed the night at your house. Must’ve been two or three years ago now.”
“I can hear you,” Kaley reminded them. “I’m
holding you to two more things, so they’d better be good.”
Never had Margie fit in with Sammy’s and Kaley’s little clique, but today—at this moment—she did. She loved the easy camaraderie. “Should we call Annie and make this a party?”
Sammy grinned. “Since it’s Monday afternoon and your boys will be home soon, I can ask Michael to babysit for a few hours.”
“Great idea. You ask him, and I’ll see what Annie’s up to.” Margie shot off a text.
Within a half hour, Annie had shown up with a bag of junk food and two bottles of wine. “Not a girls’ night without the wine. I brought supplies.”
“Pull up a seat and let’s pop the cork.” Sammy jumped up to hug the newest member of their group.
“Mom, when Stace comes, can she join us?”
“Sure, but no wine. Oh, and what about Dalton?”
Kaley shrugged and offered a shy smile. “I think I want to hang with you guys. Is that cool?”
“Absolutely uncool if your friends find out, but I’d love it anyway. Now where was I? The second thing about Gabriel? He’s hot.”
“That was number one.”
“Yes, but it needs to be repeated because he kisses like—” Margie slammed her eyes shut as she realized she gave too much away. Her family wasn’t going to miss that one or let it go.
Three female screams sounded in unison.
* * *
Gabriel was about to knock on Margaret’s front door when he heard the screams. Heart racing, he tried the handle and, finding it unlocked, barged in.
He cleared the foyer and was headed in the direction of the kitchen when he realized laughter accompanied the sound.
“Ohmygod! You kissed Gabriel? What was it like?” he heard a woman ask.
Jerking to a halt on the other side of the wall, he waited for Margaret’s response.
“Fucking amazing,” Margaret said on a sigh.
“Mom!” he heard Kaley scold.
“Well, it was!” Margaret defended.
“That’s right, kid. A Holt always tells it like it is. Remember that,” one of the women said. “Now hush while we get the details. Shoot.”
A somewhat quieter female spoke up, “You’re crazy about him. It’s written all over your energy.”
Energy?
Dismissing the comment, Gabriel focused on Margaret being crazy about him. He couldn’t hold back his grin. Good to know.
“He showed up the night of Kaley’s, uh, the night she was hurt, and he threw pebbles at my window. We snu—uh, went over to his house and sat on the porch. We just talked. Then he walked me back.”
“That sounds lame.”
Gabriel wanted to laugh at Kaley’s disgusted tone, and he struggled not to make a sound. He’d be embarrassed as hell to be caught spying.
“I thought you said you kissed him? When did that happen?” someone asked.
“Wait, hold that thought. I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Sammy!” It must’ve been Annie who groaned.
“Sorry, nature calls. Don’t you dare spill until I’m back, Margie. I mean it.”
A chair scraped against the tile. Gabriel heard a low murmur of voices, but then absolute silence. He pushed off the wall to peek around the corner and came face to face with Margaret.
“Hey.” He was so busted.
“Hey.” She crossed her arms. “Want to tell me why you’re hanging in my foyer like a stalker?”
“How did you know I was here?”
“My sister, Annie.” When he would’ve delved deeper into her answer, she lifted a brow. “Start talking.”
“You’re adorable when you blush, you know that?” he teased, running the tip of his finger along her nose.
Margaret swatted his hand away. “I’m waiting.”
He leaned in close. “For another fucking amazing kiss?”
“Gabriel James, I’m warning yo—”
He claimed her mouth. Burrowing his fingers into her thick, messy mane of dark hair, he drew her closer. In the span of a minute, he had her pressed to the wall, taking everything she had to give and more. Kissing her, over and over, between ragged inhalations.
The sound of a female frantically clearing her throat eventually penetrated his passion-drugged brain, and Gabriel pulled back to rest his brow against Margaret’s. He closed his eyes and stayed there until his world righted itself.
“Yeah, it was definitely fucking amazing.” He delivered one last gentle peck and turned to leave. “Oh, I came over to find out your answer about dinner, and I only barged in because I heard screaming. I’ll stop back by tomorrow, Margaret.” They locked eyes. “I’m hoping for a yes.”
* * *
Margie sagged against the wall as Gabriel exited the house.
“I think Kaley just got an education she may not have been ready for.”
“Speak for yourself, Aunt Annie.”
Sammy came running up. “What happened? What did I miss?”
“Mom just had another fucking amazing kiss.”
“Kaley!” Margie scolded half-heartedly.
“Don’t act like it wasn’t, Mom. That guy is so into you.”
Margie couldn’t help but grin. “He does seem to be, doesn’t he?” She rode a thirty-second high before she frowned. “Do you suppose something’s wrong with him? Why would he want a middle-aged mother of three?”
Sammy laughed and turned her to face the hall mirror. “That’s no middle-aged woman. That’s one sexy bitch.”
The glowing woman who returned her gaze did look like one hot bitch—as long as she didn’t look lower than her neck.
Again, Gabriel had stumbled upon her sporting her normal daywear of yoga pants and a t-shirt. If he intended to keep popping in unannounced, she was going to need to spruce up her daily uniform.
“I’m pissed I missed the fireworks.” Sammy gave her a sour look. “I’ve missed seeing the now-infamous Gabriel. How does that happen?”
“I thought he was going to swallow her tonsils,” Kaley chirped. “Wait until Stace hears about this!”
A groan escaped Margie as Kaley ran to text her friend. “I’m not sure I can stand on my own.”
Her sisters laughed and dragged her into the living room to plop down on the couch. They peppered her with all kinds of questions she had no answers for, only leaving her alone long enough to go pour wine and grab snacks.
As she sat in silence, Margie ran her fingertips over her swollen lips and relived their second kiss.
Gabriel was irresistible. There were no two ways about it.
To preserve her dignity and sanity, she’d need to avoid him whenever possible. But she feared he was nothing, if not persistent. Previous incarnations had proven as much.
Wasn’t it thrilling though? To be his sole focus, to be the one he wanted time and again? The rush of it was enough to put stars in a woman’s eyes. She pushed her ping-ponging thoughts away and decided to enjoy the family time with her sisters and daughter. This easy friendship wasn’t always available to her, so she’d take it when she could. Things could change on a dime. And they always did.
Chapter 10
Because she wasn’t prepared for a relationship—or at least she’d convinced herself she wasn’t—Margie had done an admirable job of avoiding Gabriel over the next couple of weeks. She’d managed to not be home—or pretended she wasn’t by not answering the door. Any texts between them, she kept impersonal and friendly.
The day avoiding Gabriel became a problem was the day her neighbor installed the new security system. Because James needed to be out of town and Kaley felt uncomfortable still, Margaret had caved from her family’s nagging and called Don Acker’s alarm company.
When he pulled into the drive, she went outside to greet him.
From the corner of her eye, she caught a movement on Gabriel’s front porch. Of its own volition, her head whipped in his direction.
He was leaning with one shoulder against a wooden post, staring her way.
> Her stomach flipped. Magnificent—the only word her mind could drum up in its befuddled state whenever she saw him.
The mid-morning breeze kicked up, and a chill chased along the exposed skin of Margie’s neck.
“Call him over. Now.”
She turned to look at Don, a question on her face. “Excuse me?”
He glanced up from the box of equipment he was removing from his company van. “I didn’t say anything.”
Feeling foolish, she wrapped her arms around her middle and pivoted to head back inside.
“Margaret, call Gabriel.” The whispered words were unmistakable this time.
She whipped back to stare at Don. Sure enough, he was piling items into his tool bag, paying no mind to her. With a frown, she turned toward Gabriel. Across the distance, they had a stare off. He’d taken the hint, and she knew she’d need to be the one to make the next move if she wanted him to give her the time of day.
Dammit!
If a phantom voice was telling her to have him come over, she knew well enough to listen to it. There was a saying in the Holt family: you don’t disregard a direct order from the ancestors. For generations, those strange warnings had saved more than one family member. Why now? Why Gabriel? And where was the threat?
He took a casual sip from his mug, his eyes never leaving hers.
She waved him over.
With an exaggerated look of surprise, he gestured to himself then to her.
She nodded her head.
Gabriel straightened to his full height and twisted to look behind him. Once more, he pointed to himself. The devil in him had come out to play. And didn’t she find it amusing?
Lips twitching, she nodded her head again, vigorously this time.
With a shrug of his shoulders, he stepped off the porch.
“Margie?”
She faced Don. Without meaning to, she compared him to Gabriel and found him woefully lacking. She noted his usual soft, welcoming eyes were narrowed with irritation. Apparently, he’d been talking to her, and she missed everything he’d said.
“I’m sorry, Don. I was distracted.”
Before he could repeat himself, Gabriel joined them.
Don’s hurt was mixed with resentment, and he didn’t bother to hide it.
