“Pretty amazing if we were there at the same time and crossed paths watching the steamboats.”
“Stranger things have happened.” Gabrielle nodded her head. “I haven't thought of those steamboats in a long time.” She looked across the table at him, her soulful eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of tenderness.
“Is your grandfather still living?” he asked.
Gabrielle's face changed in an instant, right before his eyes.
“No, we lost him years ago,” she said, her tone flat and unemotional. Her face, on the other hand, told a different tale. A tiny vein throbbed above her eye. Her hands shook a bit as she reached for her wine glass. She looked shattered.
He reached across the table and clasped her hand in his. “Hey, there. It's okay to miss him. I still grieve the loss of my parents. Every single day I think about them.”
Gabrielle sighed. “I don't think about him enough. It hurts not to have him here, so I—”
“Stuff it down, right?” Remy said with a harsh a laugh. “Been there, done that.”
“Yes,” she said softly. “That way it doesn't hurt so much.”
“I get it,” Remy said. “But...maybe if you tried to remember the things about him that you want to carry with you...like his laugh or his big heart...it will help you remember him without feeling so much pain.”
“I try to remember happy things, but they always get blotted out by the grief.”
“After my parents were killed, I started seeing a therapist. She taught me to hold on to the good things. Even though I was a kid I began to realize that I was the only one who could be the guardian of their memories. I was the only one who could serve as a testament to who they were.”
Gabrielle bowed her head so he couldn't see her expression. He felt like kicking himself for making her even more sad than she'd been a few minutes ago. When she lifted her head up she was smiling—a gorgeous, beaming smile that was miles away from her expression a few minutes ago. “When I was little he used to call me Gigi...no one else ever called me that but him. I loved being called Gigi by my grandfather. There was this old film we used to watch with this French actress...her name was Gigi. Every time we watched it he would call me his little movie star.”
“There you go. Something tangible to remember that doesn't evoke a feeling of sadness.”
The server came back carrying a tray with covered plates and set them down before them.
“I wasn't sure what kind of food you like to eat, so I figured classic American food was a good bet.” The server took the silver top off Gabrielle's plate, revealing a cheeseburger, french fries and a side of cole slaw.
Gabrielle let out a contented sigh. “I was hoping it wasn't something fancy I couldn't pronounce. This is perfect.”
They dug in to their cheeseburgers, enjoying a companionable silence as they ate. Before dessert came they chatted some more. Remy finally had the feeling she was relaxing around him. She was laughing at his jokes and sharing anecdotes with him about the customers at Sweet Treats. It warmed his heart to hear her speak so warmly about the place, as well as his family.
Dessert was the piece de resistance. Caramel cheesecake with wild berries and whipped cream. Although at first Gabrielle insisted she couldn't eat another bite, within a few minutes she was dipping her spoon into the cheesecake. Remy loved the dainty way she ate. She was all politeness and good manners despite her hearty appetite. It was such a contradiction. And he loved the way she ate her food with gusto. He'd been on enough dates with women who toyed with their food and only ordered salad and water to not appreciate the difference between those ladies and Gabrielle.
He knew from working with her at the bakery that Gabrielle had a sweet tooth. Vince joked her about it all the time. He smiled as she let out an appreciative groan as she spooned another bite of cheesecake into her mouth.
By the time all the dishes were cleared and the violin player had packed up her violin, Remy had one last thing he wanted to share with her. Gently taking her by the hand, he led her back downstairs to the gallery. Adjacent to the gallery space was a small room where he was storing most of his paintings until they were hung up. He opened the door and flicked on the light, beckoning Gabrielle to follow after him. She stood in the doorway, her eyes sparkling with amazement as she looked around her. She shot him a look of disbelief.
“Are these all your paintings?”
“Most of them, minus the ones I've sold and the paintings on loan to museums around the world.”
“They're amazing.” Gabrielle turned to look at him. Her eyebrows were raised. “The world? So you really are an internationally known artist.”
Remy winked at her. “It sounds way more glamorous than it is.”
“And modest too,” she said with a shake of her head. “Maggie and Alec really did raise you well.”
Gabrielle walked amongst the paintings that were propped against the walls and visible to the eye. Most of the others were covered up with tarps to protect them from damage.
He walked over to one and pulled off the covering, revealing one of the most personal paintings he'd ever done. “This is the first painting I'm going to hang up. I'm calling it the Big Easy.”
Gabrielle gasped as he turned it towards her.
“Oh, Remy. It's wonderful.”
“Thanks. I did it from memory, so some of the details might be off. I exaggerated some of the colors so I could give it a surreal look.” He'd wanted to challenge himself, to see if his rendering of Bourbon Street could evoke in him all the emotions tied up in his childhood memories. Although he was critical of himself and his work, this time he knew he'd captured his subject perfectly.
Gabrielle's mouth hung open. “I-I don't know what to say. You've depicted New Orleans in all her glory. Those balconies and the entwined ivy on the trellis. That jazz musician playing the saxophone. The details are so exact, all the way down to the sign that says Bourbon Street.”
The tight feeling of expectation in his chest disappeared, chased away by Gabrielle's effusive praise. How had it happened so quickly? How had she glided so effortlessly into the regions of his heart? Why was her opinion the gold stamp of approval that he suddenly needed to feel completely at peace?
“Coming from you, that means a lot,” he said, grinning at her. And it did mean a lot to him. Way more than she realized.
Gabrielle smiled back at him. It was a sweet, tender smile that hinted at her shyness. Little by little he was peeling back her layers. She was like a caterpillar in a cocoon—just waiting for the right time to blossom into a butterfly.
“So,” he drawled, buoyed by the fantastic time they'd spent together this evening, “what are you doing tomorrow night and the night after and the night after that?”
“Love is a journey. You never know where it will take you.”
Sarah Dalton Donahue
Chapter Four
One date with Remy quickly turned into another, then another, until they'd already gone out a half dozen times. Each time Gabrielle felt more and more relaxed in his presence. He was funny and charming and utterly appealing. She couldn't believe he hadn't been taken off the market considering what a catch he seemed to be. She hated to even think it, but she kept wondering if a day might come when his flaws would come to light.
Could a man really be this wonderful and spiritual and kind? Yes. She knew it was possible. Her father had been such a man. Growing up, she'd believed he'd hung the moon. She'd been Daddy's little girl, firmly wrapped around his finger. A Cajun princess if ever there was one. And he'd been head over heels in love with her mother, who'd doted on him as equally as he'd fawned over her. She heaved a tremendous sigh. Everything had changed in their lives after the hurricane. Loss. Deep and profound loss caused by tragic circumstances tended to change people. Some rose to the occasion and cleaved to one another, while others were torn asunder. It made no logical sense why some couples or families cracked under the pressure, while others thrived.
S
he pushed thoughts of her family out of her head, knowing she might never have the answers she was seeking. Only her parents knew why tragedy and loss had led to the dissolution of their once blissful marriage.
For today's shift she'd been working with Maggie and Vince. Instead of being out front at the cash register she was helping Maggie make black and white cookies in the kitchen. The cookies were a huge seller at Sweet Treats and a personal favorite of her own. Maggie's skills as a baker were exceptional. If anyone had told her six months ago that she would now be a baker in training at a fabulous bakery in Cape Cod, she wouldn't have believed them.
Every day, her life was expanding by leaps and bounds. She was learning the value in taking chances and reaching out to the people around her. She was becoming a part of the fabric of Breeze Point. Little by little, she was putting her big toe in the water.
The sound of Remy's laughter resonated from the front of the bakery. He had such a distinctive, deep laugh, one she'd recognize anywhere. It was full of such unbridled joy.
She glanced up at the wall clock. He was right on time! They'd planned for Remy to pick her up at the bakery where she'd be able to switch up her clothes before their date. She looked down at her flour stained apron and mucky hands. There was no way she was presentable at the moment. Luckily, she'd brought an outfit to change into, along with some hair products and makeup.
She felt Maggie's gaze trained on her. “You look preoccupied, Gabi. I know you're off the clock if you need to scoot.” Maggie's voice was gentle and full of kindness. Her pretty face and round, apple cheeks lent her a warm air.
Gabrielle scrunched her nose as a cloud of baking powder made her want to sneeze. “I'm actually going out tonight with Remy. We're going to the music festival in the park.”
Maggie's smile froze in place. Her eyes widened. She quickly covered by making her smile extra big. Something about it struck her as false, which was odd considering Maggie was one of the most genuine people she'd ever met.
Just then Remy poked his head around the corner. “Hey. What's cooking back here?” Once again Gabrielle found her pulse racing at the sight of him. His dark hair was slightly damp as if he'd just gotten out of the shower. His brown skin, glowing bronze due to a summer tan, stood out against his white polo shirt. He wore a pair of dark washed jeans that fit him to perfection and hugged his physique nicely. Gabrielle found herself staring at him for way too long, earning her a raised eyebrow from Remy.
Forcing herself to look away, she wiped her hands off on her apron. “I need a few minutes to change. I'll be quick.” She grabbed her bag and headed for the ladies room.
“Take your time. The concert doesn't start for another half hour. It's a quick drive from here over to the public gardens,” Remy said as she passed by him.
Once she'd locked the bathroom door behind her, she took a good look in the mirror. No way could she go out looking so drab. She needed a little shine and sparkle. Ripping off her apron, she began changing out of her work clothes at record speed. She held the fuchsia dress up and gave it a critical eye. It was perfect for this evening, she decided. Not too fancy. But not too casual either. She slipped it on over her head, adjusting it so that it hung just above the knee. At Remy's suggestions she'd brought along a black, lightweight sweater in case the night air became too cool.
She pulled her pony tail holder out of her hair and shook the strands loose so that her hair framed her face. She applied a light layer of foundation, some pink lip gloss and a coating of black mascara. She smiled at her reflection. She'd come a long way in the last ten minutes. Although she was never one to compliment herself, she knew the woman staring back at her in the mirror looked pretty.
When she exited the bathroom she heard voices coming from the front of the store. Feeling a little shy, she slowed her pace a bit, all the while hoping she would pass muster. The minute she rounded the corner she heard Remy's sharp whistle. He was staring at her with a look of deep, male appreciation stamped on his face. “Wow,” he said. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said shyly, her cheeks warming at the compliment. “You look pretty fabulous yourself. I forgot to mention it earlier.”
“You look radiant,” Maggie said, her words making Gabrielle feel ten feet tall.
“You look like one of those supermodels,” Vince raved. “You two will be the best looking couple at the concert.”
Gabrielle giggled at Vince's effusive praise. At five foot four, she knew she'd never make supermodel status. He was a sweetheart for making her feel beautiful.
“We should head out,” Remy suggested, his tone full of enthusiasm. He reached for her hand, lacing it through his own.
Vince couldn't hide his pleasure at the sight of them with their hands entwined. The smile on his face was threatening to crack his face wide open. Maggie on the other hand had a tight smile plastered on her face. Gabrielle's heart sunk. Her forced smile spoke volumes.
“Enjoy yourselves,” Vince called out as they headed towards the door.
“We will,” Remy shouted as he held the door open for her.
Once they were outside, she turned toward Remy. Her stomach was doing crazy flip flops. “Does your mother have a problem with us dating?”
Remy frowned. “Why? Did she say something to you?” He stopped in his tracks, his face creased with worry. She wanted to reach out and smooth away the little lines gathering around his eyes and mouth. She hadn't meant to upset him by asking about his mother.
“No, she hasn't said a word to me about it, but I sense a hint of disapproval. Am I wrong?” She held her breath waiting for his answer. Maggie Donahue's approval and good will meant the world to her. Who wouldn't want a woman like Maggie to give them the thumbs up on dating her beloved son? She was a much respected, well loved pillar of the community. She, along with her husband, had given Gabrielle her position at Sweet Treats bakery on the same day she'd gone to the shop and applied for it. They'd overlooked many gaping holes on her resume. Ever since then, they'd treated her with nothing but kindness.
Remy held open the passenger side door of his vehicle. When he got in on the driver's side and settled himself in, he paused for a moment before starting the car. “My Mom and I are very close. She loves all her sons, but we've always had an extra special bond. She lost her parents when she was young also.” He shot her a quick glance before turning back to focus on the road ahead. “They were in a plane crash in Ireland. I think the fact that we both lost our parents in such a random, unpredictable way created a bond when we first met. For a long time she was the only one I could talk to about it.”
“What a terrible loss,” she murmured, her thoughts filled with a young Maggie having to deal with such unbearable loss. One would never know it by the strong, caring vibe she exuded that her life had been marred by such unfathomable tragedy.
“So she's protective of you?”
He shrugged. “You could say that. She doesn't want to see me get hurt.”
She was so stunned it was a wonder her jaw didn't hit the floor. “She thinks I'm going to hurt you?” The very thought of it left her feeling incredulous. Remy was the internationally known, well- traveled artist from the solid Donahue family, while she was a newcomer in town with no connections or ties that bound her to Cape Cod. If anyone should feel vulnerable, it should be her.
“It's nothing personal. She thinks I go around wearing my heart on my sleeve, and the thought of me getting it trampled on worries her a little bit.”
A feeling of hurt pricked her. Had she done something to make Maggie question her character? “I'm not the type to go around breaking hearts,” she said, her voice bristling.
Remy pulled in to a parking space near the town green. He turned off the car and let out a sigh. “Please, don't worry about it. My Mom adores you.” He reached over and touched her chin with his fingers. With a gentle touch, he moved her face towards him so that they were staring into each other's eyes. “Let's enjoy tonight and not borrow trouble.
It's a mother's job to worry about her children. I'm sure your mother worries about you, right?”
She nodded. A sudden longing for her mother swept over her with a ferocity she hadn't experienced in ages. How long had it been since she'd seen her? A year at least. Ever since she'd dropped out of college in Maryland, she'd been a bit lost and unfocused. Her mother was living in Baltimore now and renting an apartment with her aunt Clotilde. The last time she'd spoken with her they'd talked about getting together this summer. Maybe, like Remy had suggested, she could invite her to Cape Cod for a visit. It was long overdue.
Remy held her hand as they walked on the town green amongst a throng of people all gathered for the charity concert. Soul Patrol, a rhythm and blues band, was donating all the proceeds to autism awareness. Remy stuffed a generous donation in the box, then handed the salesperson two golden event tickets. In return she handed him two lanyards with the words VIP etched on them. Remy placed one around her neck right before putting his own on.
He led her to the very front of the crowd, to an area close to the stage and cordoned off from the rest of the concert-goers. There were two, beach style seats with the name Donahue printed on a piece of paper taped to the seats. Between the seats was a low table with a picnic basket perched on it. They'd barely settled into their seats before Remy began rummaging through the picnic basket and pulling forth items such as a bottle of sparkling cider, chocolate chip cookies and delicious looking sandwiches made on chunky French bread.
“How did you manage this?” she asked.
“They sold VIP tickets which came with premier seating and dinner. I thought you might like being close to the action and having dinner under the stars.”
Until You Loved Me (Seven Brides, Seven Brothers Book 3) Page 6
