“I don’t care. I’m not picky.”
“Anywhere you want.” He winked at her. “I’m not picky either.”
“There’s a nice sandwich shop downtown that has salads and stuff too.”
“I know the place you’re talking about. I’ll follow you. Let me make sure it starts okay before I go back to my truck.”
“Okay.”
Robyn unlocked her car and got behind the wheel. It felt strange since it had been so long. Fuller had never let her drive his car. She put the key in the ignition. The car turned over right away. Gabe smiled and then walked away back to his truck.
She pulled out and checked to make sure that he was behind her before she headed to the sandwich shop. She still felt weird about having dinner with him, but he’d been so nice to her. She’d always thought that Fuller was a gentleman, but she was beginning to think that she had been fooling herself.
She parked in the parking lot of the sandwich shop. He pulled to a stop next to her and they both got out of their cars.
“Have you had a lot of problems with your car? It looks relatively new.”
“It’s three years old. My parents paid for it. They said that it was like my graduation gift because they didn’t get me anything big when I graduated high school. Of course it’s eight years behind.”
“You’re twenty-six? I would have believed you to be much younger. I didn’t look at your birthdate closely since you’d already worked in a bar and I knew that you were over twenty-one at least.”
Robyn laughed. “I don’t feel younger.”
“You’re beautiful. You don’t look a day over twenty-one.”
He held his arm out to her and she linked hers through, but she felt a little strange. They went into the sandwich shop. She let go of his arm as soon as the girl behind the counter told them to sit anywhere and that someone would be with them shortly.
Gabe gave her an amused smile. “I apologize Robyn. I believe that I’m sometimes overly affectionate with others as my wife has always been stingy with her affection towards me, though sometimes I truly believe she no longer feels any. But I don’t want to bore you with my marriage problems. How long have you lived in Brunton?”
“Almost six months. Fuller wanted to come here because he had a good job lined up working at the mail sorting facility. He got the job, but he lost it two weeks later because he called in sick too many times. He wasn’t sick-he’d just drunk too much the night before and didn’t feel like going in to work. I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to hear about my pathetic relationship troubles either. Not that I think your marriage is pathetic. Geese, I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot.”
“You’re hardly an idiot. Sometimes my marriage does feel a little pathetic to tell you the truth.”
A waitress had appeared to take their drink orders and see if they were ready to order their food. Robyn was so she told the woman what she wanted. Gabe ordered as well. The waitress delivered their drinks promptly.
Gabe cleared his throat. “How long had you been with Fuller before he walked out on you?”
“A year and a half. I met him in Staten where we used to live. I was bartending there. He came into the bar and he nursed beers all night and then asked me out. I thought that he wasn’t much of a drinker. Boy was I wrong.”
“He’s an alcoholic?”
“Yes. I guess I should have known. My dad’s an alcoholic. But don’t they say that men unconsciously look for women that are like their mothers and women look for men that are like their fathers?”
Gabe chuckled. “Sometimes, I think that we seek the exact opposite of our parents. My mother was a wonderful woman, but she worked herself to death. It wasn’t that I was looking for a lazy wife or a rich wife, but I certainly ended up marrying a woman that was the exact opposite of my mother.” He paused when the waitress brought their sandwiches. He gave her a wink and remarked on how fast the service was. Robyn was sure that the girl was blushing when she walked away.
“So the father of your child is an alcoholic that walked out on you when you told him you were pregnant. Not much of a man. You’re better off without him. Many a strong woman has raised children by herself. Of course, if you do decide to let another man into your heart, you must make sure he is more deserving of your love next time.”
Robyn looked down at her plate. The look that Gabe was giving her was hard to read. She could read the attraction there. She felt it too, but she wasn’t willing to start an affair with a married man while she was pregnant or any other man at the moment for that matter. But there was something else too.
She took a bite of her potato salad, swallowed and washed it down with a sip of water. She forced herself to look into Gabe’s eyes. “I don’t think that I’ll be ready to share my life with another man for a long time. I was so wrong about Fuller. And when there’s a child involved you have to be even more careful. There are women that neglect their children to be with a man, and then there are terrible men that want to do horrible things to children. Not that there aren’t perverted women, but you hear so much more about men.”
Gabe nodded. “You do. I believe that when you hear about women it’s more often older women trying to prove their attraction by having sex with teenage boys. Or some misguided sense of love sometimes I’m sure.”
“Yeah. So is it usually busy at the bar? I don’t go out much and haven’t actually had a drink at a bar since we’ve been here.”
“I apologize for saying so Robyn, but you sound like a classic case of an abused woman.”
“Um, I didn’t care to drink much after I met Fuller because I didn’t want to encourage him. Fuller is more old fashioned than some guys. He wanted me to stay at home and take care of the apartment but it wasn’t like he kept me away from people. I don’t talk to people much. It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just that I feel like I don’t know what to say sometimes. When I have a job where I have to talk to customers I’m fine, but I let them do most of the talking.”
“I see. So Fuller never struck you?”
Robyn felt like her face was on fire. Her relationship sounded even worse when she tried to explain it to someone else. She’d never thought of Fuller as abusive or controlling, but she could see how it might appear that way from the outside. “He slapped me the night he left, said terrible things to me.”
“Oh Robyn. I’m so sorry. You deserve so much better. There are still good men in the world.” He smiled. “I consider myself to be one of them.”
The blush didn’t leave her cheeks. “I thought Fuller was a good man. He wanted to take care of me. If he likes his job he works hard. He drinks too much, but I was sure he’d settle down after we got married.”
“Did you take your engagement ring off after he left you?”
“He never gave me one. We talked about getting married and we’ve been living together almost the whole time that we’ve been together, but he never actually proposed. Um, so is the bar busy?”
Gabe chuckled. “It is quite busy most nights. When the weather’s bad or there’s something going on at the bowling alley or a dance or something at the lounge, we see less customers. But we do have a lot of regulars that warm our bar stools. You’ll do fine and your tips should be excellent. You’re beautiful and when you get further into your pregnancy you’ll steal the hearts of every man and woman that has one.”
“I don’t want to get bigger tips because people feel sorry for me. I don’t mind working. I never have. My parents said that I should have gone to college, but they couldn’t afford it. They’re not poor by any means, but they’re always loaning me and my sisters and brothers money or buying us expensive things when we need them like my car.”
“How many brothers and sisters do you have?”
“Three brothers and two sisters. I’m pretty much in the middle. My little sister is sixteen and the youngest. She was pretty upset when our parents bought me a car. My older sister is 32. My brothers are 28, 24 and 18.”
�
��I always wondered what it would be like to have a large family. It was just my sister and I. My mother struggled so hard to keep us clothed and fed though even when my asshole of a stepfather was around. It would have been almost impossible for her to care for another child.”
“Oh. Your mom passed away?”
“She did. Several years ago. My sister did as well.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It was tragic, but she lost her life to a drug addiction. That’s why it means so much to be able to hire people with drug problems and help them turn their lives around.”
“That’s really great.”
Gabe smiled. They were silent for the rest of their meal. Gabe left a tip on the table and then paid at the register. He held the door open for her and then followed her outside.
“There is a very good store downtown that I would like to take you to. They have furniture and maternity clothes. You certainly don’t look a bit pregnant but I’m sure that there will come a time when you would like some more comfortable clothing. You said you were three months along? Did you not realize you were pregnant right away?”
“My periods aren’t always regular. There’s nothing wrong with me. Mom took me to the doctor when I was a teenager, but they said that everything is normal. Um, I don’t know if I should let you take me shopping.”
“Robyn, you agreed earlier. You can’t disappoint me by going back on your promise.”
She could see that he was teasing her, but she also got the feeling that underneath his carefully controlled exterior, Gabe was both a passionate man and one that was quick to anger.
“I’m sorry. We can go. I’ll follow you.”
Gabe chuckled. “Women are usually much more enthusiastic about shopping. My wife certainly is. Even our daughter is excited to go shopping and she’s not quite six.”
“Children don’t understand the concept of money.” Robyn suddenly felt very tired and wondered how she’d adjust to going back to work. It had been almost a year since she’d worked. “I’m sorry. I appreciate everything that you’re doing for me. Really. I didn’t mean to sound so ungrateful.”
“You’re fine Robyn. For some people it’s always hard to accept assistance from others. Like most everything in Brunton, the store is only a few minutes away. I do believe that if I didn’t have children I’d go half out of my mind in this town.”
Robyn laughed, though it felt a little forced. She wasn’t sure she was ever going to be completely comfortable around Gabe. “Okay. I’ll see you in a few minutes then.”
He smiled. “That you will.”
He got into his truck and she got behind the wheel of her car. She’d never been a fan of shopping, but it was kind of exciting to think about picking things out for the baby. Or at least a few basic things. She wasn’t going to let Gabe overdo it she thought.
He stopped a few minutes later. She’d actually applied for a job at the store the day before. The women that worked there had seemed almost stuck up and they’d looked down their nose at her when they’d told her they weren’t hiring. She felt even more apprehensive following Gabe through the doors.
He looked at her. “Are you all right Robyn? I know that some women get morning sickness later in the day. I’m sure they must have a restroom. Let me ask.”
“I’m fine. It just feels strange to come here with you and have you buy things for my baby. I appreciate it, but it looks weird because you’re married and you’re my boss. What if people think you’re the father of my child?”
Gabe chuckled. “Ah Robyn. You really don’t get out much do you? There have been many women that have worked for me while they were pregnant. I’ve paid for many things for babies and children. If people believe that I am the father of your child, what can I say to make them believe differently? Logic says that I have not fathered all of the children whose mothers I have helped in one way or another. People in Brunton will believe what they want to believe, just like they do in any other small town that is full of gossip.”
Robyn sighed. She glanced at the clerk. She was one of the women that had been rude the day before. “That woman was kind of mean to me when I asked if they were hiring. Can we go someplace else? Like the discount store?”
“No. We’ll stay. If Petunia says anything to you, I’ll speak with her boss, the owner of the store. He’s a friend of my father in law’s and very influential in this pathetic town. My in laws don’t like me, but somehow, the rest of Leslie’s family and family friends seem to have accepted me. Where would you like to start? Baby things or things for you?”
Robyn bit her lip. “I don’t want you to buy too much.”
“Nonsense. We’ll start with the basics and then move on from there. Crib, car seat, playpen, stroller, diapers. Clothes for you, a nursing pillow, maybe a body pillow for later in your pregnancy. I apologize. I have no idea if you plan to nurse.”
“I do. But you don’t have to buy all of that for me. It’s too much.”
Gabe shook his head and pushed a shopping cart her way. “It’s only a start. Pick out anything you want and don’t worry about the cost. I have credit cards with no limits.”
Robyn hid another sigh. She didn’t think that Gabe was going to let her get away with only picking up a few things though, so she made her way to the maternity clothing section. The woman that he had called Petunia approached them. She looked Gabe up and down and smiled.
“Hello Gabriel. How can I help you?”
“You can’t Petunia. My new employee Robyn let me know that you were rather rude to her when she asked about employment here yesterday.”
The woman’s smile faded. “We aren’t hiring. All I did was tell her that. If she took it the wrong way, that’s her problem.”
“Tone of voice and body language can convey much more than words sometimes. Are you and Clayton still separated?”
“You know we are. He still comes into your stupid bar all the time looking for other women doesn’t he?”
Robyn thought Gabe was hiding a smile. “Some men will never change Petunia. You knew that Clayton had cheated on you before you married him. It was my understanding that you two had an open relationship.”
Petunia snorted. “Like you and Leslie? Hardly. Well, I take that back, half of our relationship has always been open, but it sure as hell hasn’t been mine. I thought he’d settle down when I had the baby, but then I miscarried and the next day, he was back to chasing tail again. It was wonderful talking to you Gabe. If you need anything just call me.” Petunia walked away after giving Robyn another dirty look.
“Not that it matters to you, but Leslie and I do not have an open relationship. Our relationship is rather open on one end like Petunia and Clayton’s.”
“Oh.”
Gabe’s talking about what sounded like a dysfunctional relationship with his wife was making her uncomfortable. She turned away from him and busied herself with browsing the racks of clothing. Everything seemed so expensive. She was used to thrift store clothes since she’d left home and had worn them a lot growing up too. Her mother was an exceptional seamstress but she’d worked a lot and had only sewn clothing for them for special occasions and sometimes Halloween.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the discount store Gabe?”
Gabe chuckled. “Money is no object. My wife ordered all of her maternity clothing special order. She does not dress like your typical mother and refused to wear what she calls dowdy Mommy clothes.”
“I see.”
Robyn turned back to the clothes and made herself look at them without bothering to check the price tags. She picked out a few outfits and put them in the cart.
Gabe raised an eyebrow. “You believe that that is all of the clothing that you’ll need the whole time you’re pregnant?”
“No, but you don’t need to buy me everything.”
“Pick out a few more outfits at least. Then we can look for bras, panties and a winter coat. I hope that you’ll find it easier to shop for the
baby.” He gave her a smile full of charm.
“Yeah.”
Robyn picked out three more outfits, and then followed Gabe to the intimate apparel. She started to feel even more uncomfortable with him standing right there while she picked out bras and panties. He sensed her uneasiness and told her he was going to look at furniture.
Robyn let out the sigh she’d been holding in. She picked out a few bras and some panties. She went to the coats and found the one with the lowest price that she liked that still looked like it would be warm enough.
She found Gabe looking at cribs. He was admiring a very nice crib that cost at least four times as much as she’d wanted to pay. She looked at a still nice crib that was half the price and pointed it out to him. He shrugged and went to retrieve Petunia since the display model of the crib she’d decided on was the only one out front.
They spent another hour in the store. Gabe spent so much money that Robyn was beginning to be afraid again that he wanted something more from her than for her to work for him. He bought a crib, a car seat, a high chair, a stroller, a playpen, a bath, a changing table, multiple packages of diapers and baby wipes, and tons of baby clothes and blankets, in addition to the clothes and pillows for her.
He insisted on helping her set everything up. He followed her to her apartment and made multiple trips out to his truck so that she wouldn’t have to carry anything. It was starting to get late. She worried that he should be home with his family, but didn’t mention it to him because he seemed so content putting everything together and placing it where she told him she thought it should go.
She felt warm inside when she looked at what would be her nursery. Her pregnancy and the child within her felt more real than before, and she gave Gabe a spontaneous hug and thanked him again.
When he pulled back he had a strange look on his face. Robyn wondered if he’d caught her breathing in his scent. She thought that Gabe smelled really good. She realized uncomfortably that she already missed the way that Fuller’s arms felt when they were around her and the way he smelled.
Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set Page 59
