by Holly Jacobs
Joy had told Sophie that she learned to fight dirty from her brothers. Well, Gabriel was going to take a lesson from Joy and those brothers. He wanted another kiss, and he wasn’t above fighting dirty to get one.
MEN? WHO COULD figure them out? Gabriel had been behaving strangely since yesterday. Joy glanced his way, and quickly turned her attention back to the woman across the table. It was easier to think about interviewing a babysitter for Sophie than to try to figure out what was going on in Gabriel’s head.
“If and when discipline is necessary, how you do believe it should be handled?” Joy frowned as Eloise McDaniels considered the question thoughtfully. It might not have been so irritating if the woman hadn’t deliberated over each question as if her life depended on the answer.
“Miss Aaronson, I’m sure I’ll have little difficulty with Sophie, but when and if some major form of discipline is required, I believe time outs are the most effective. Occasionally, if the situation warrants it, denying some small pleasure also works well.”
“I . . . Well . . .” Joy couldn’t think of any other questions to ask. “Gabriel?” she deferred.
“Thank you, Ms. McDaniels. We’ll be making our decision soon and will let you know either way.”
It wasn’t until they were out on the sidewalk that Gabriel asked, “Well, what’s wrong with this one?”
“Now, why would you assume I’d find fault with her? From all appearances, she’s just what you need. Not only can she take care of Sophie until school starts, but she’s available to watch her after school. She’s fifty—she taught first-grade for almost thirty years. She’s married, but all her children have left home. She doesn’t believe in physical discipline, she knows how to make chocolate chip cookies and . . . Well, heck, Gabriel, she’ll even do the voices when she reads.” It pained her, but Joy admitted, “She’s perfect, and she’ll start on Monday.”
If she didn’t know the fairies didn’t want her to leave and spoil their plans for a-happily-ever-after with Gabriel, she’d say Ms. McDaniels was perfect enough to be fairy-sent.
“You’re not going to comment on her frilly outfit or that annoying way she deliberated over every question?” he asked.
Joy shook her head as she climbed into the car.
Gabriel started the engine. “You’re not going to wonder if her love of cookie-making will be bad for Sophie’s nutritional health?” he continued.
“Gabriel, I’m sure a few cookies aren’t going to hurt Sophie.”
“Nothing?” He almost sounded disappointed as he drove toward home.
“I told you, Ms. McDaniels seems perfect for you, and I’m sure that Sophie will learn to love her.” And as much as Joy hoped it was so, part of her hoped Sophie didn’t learn to love Eloise McDaniels as much as she loved Joy. It was a small petty, part—one that Joy had never realized existed—and one that she tapped back down as quickly as possible.
Summoning up every ounce of her courage, she said, “Unless you have a problem with something I didn’t notice, I suggest you snatch her up. I can call work and arrange to be back in the office on Monday.”
Gabriel turned and just looked at her. “I guess you’re right. I’ll call her tonight and give her the news.” Turning his gaze back to the road he said, “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for all—”
“Gabriel, that’s not necessary. Truth be told, this has been the first decent vacation I’ve had in years. I’ve loved . . .” Joy felt something suspiciously like tears gathering in her eyes, and she blinked to hold them back. “I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s I who should be thanking you.”
“Fine, we’re a mutual admiration club here.” His eyes left the road and met hers. “And I do admire you.”
“I . . .” Joy knew what she felt for Gabriel was more than admiration, but Helen stood between them. The image of Gabriel and Helen in the kitchen was burned into her mind—his arm casually draped around her. She was the woman he should be with. The kiss he’d shared with Joy was just an aberration.
Joy could never be what Gabriel obviously wanted in a woman—someone glamorous and worldly like Helen and Trudi. Joy was just too normal. Gabriel was as brilliant and beautiful as Joy’s brothers, and she knew she could never measure up. That’s why she’d stopped trying to years ago. She might not be extraordinary, but she’d learned to be comfortable being normal.
“I admire you, too,” she managed. “Now, let’s go tell Sophie about Ms. McDaniels, and then let’s go celebrate.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Dinner—on you. Sophie and I get to pick the place.”
Chuckling, Gabriel agreed, then suddenly sobered as he said, “Things aren’t going to be the same when you’re gone.”
Joy’s heart lurched. She very much feared things would never be the same again for her. “You’ll forget all about me in a week or two.”
A part of her prayed it wasn’t true, even as another part whispered in her brain, He’s got Helen. She was here because of Sophie. Gabriel had never given her any reason to believe that had changed. So he’d kissed her. Kisses were easily given. Unfortunately, they weren’t so easily received, at least not for Joy.
“In just a week or two, you and Sophie will be settled into your new routine. And I’ll be a pleasant memory,” she whispered. And for the rest of her life, Joy was afraid Gabriel and Sophie would be an unattainable dream.
“I DON’T THINK I can move,” Gabriel groused from his position on the couch. “There are too many steps between here and my room.”
Joy shook her head sadly. “You are old, Gabriel. Only a very old man would be so tired after dinner and bowling.”
They’d eaten at AMazing Meals, an indoor playground and restaurant. At Sophie’s prodding, they spent more time playing than eating.
He scowled at her. “I don’t see you bounding up those steps.”
“I’m thinking about it. Here I go.” She didn’t move from the easy chair. “Okay, I’ll go in a minute.”
“Where does Sophie find the energy?” Gabriel asked.
“I don’t know, but do you think if we asked real nice, she’d share it with us?” Joy ached from the top of her head, where she’d banged herself on the slide, to the tip of her toes. Her body was never meant to be twisted and toyed with like AMazing Meals and Sophie St. John had done.
“You know, I’m going to miss you. Both Sophie and I will,” he quickly added. “You gave me the greatest gift I’ve ever received when you brought me back my daughter.”
Joy just shrugged off his thanks. It made her uncomfortable. “I didn’t do it, Gabriel. Trudi was going to send her back one way or another. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“It was more than that and you know it, but I’m not going to argue. I just wanted to thank you.”
“Well, you have, and now it’s my turn. Thanks for sharing Sophie with me and for giving me this time with her. She’s precious, and I appreciate being allowed a place in her life.”
“Like I could keep you out of her life. You’re already firmly in her heart.”
“Well,” she said, rising creakily to her feet. “Thank you anyway. This time with the two of you has been special, and I can’t thank you enough for it.” She shuffled forward a step. “But right now, if I’m hoping to spend one last day running around with Sophie, I’m off to bed.”
“Joy,” Gabriel called.
“Yes?” She turned and smiled.
Gabriel looked as if he had something to say and then thought better of it. He simply said, “Good night.”
“Good night, Gabriel.” That said, Joy hobbled towards her room, her physical pain not even beginning to match the pain that was burning in her heart.
Gabriel watched her go. He’d wanted to wrap Joy in his arms and kiss her senseless.
Kiss her until she forgot all about leaving them. Kiss her until she promised to never go. He was right when he’d said he’d miss her. There would be a hole left in his and Sophie’s lives. A hole only Joy could fill.
How could they let her leave?
How could he ask her to stay?
And if he asked, would she consider staying? She had a career and a life waiting for her in Chicago. What could he offer her that would entice her to give that up? He’d have to think fast, and fight dirty.
An idea began to form. And for the first time since they’d interviewed Eloise and decided she’d be a suitable babysitter, Gabriel’s heart felt light. It looked like there was a chance they wouldn’t be needing Eloise at all.
A chance.
That’s all Gabriel was asking for.
“YOU’RE LEAVING, aren’t you?” the little girl whispered Saturday morning.
Joy dropped to her knees and met those sweet eyes dead on. “Yes. Tomorrow. It’s time for me to go. Remember, Daddy and I said we found someone to stay with you while he works? Well, that will only be for a few weeks, and then you’ll be starting school.”
“I’ll miss you!” Sophie cried and threw her arms around Joy’s neck.
“You’ll be so busy when you start school you won’t have time to even realize I’m gone.” Joy tried to hold back the tears pressing against her eyes.
“I’ll miss you with all my heart, just like I missed Daddy when Mother took me away.” Sophie gave a little sob against the crook of Joy’s neck.
“But I’ll call and I’ll visit. We’ll go back to Max’s, and you can play with CheChe and—”
“It won’t be the same.”
“No. Nothing stays the same. And things don’t always go the way we’d like them to, but kindred spirits are never very far apart.”
She hugged the little girl tight, continuing to hold back her tears. Finally she moved Sophie back and looked into those beautiful brown eyes that reminded her so much of Gabriel’s. “Now, it’s time for us to do something special for our last day together. Then we’ll come home, and you can help me pack.”
Sophie sniffled back her tears. The sound tore at Joy’s heart. It was for the best, she’d told herself over and over.
Sophie had Gabriel.
Gabriel had Helen.
Joy had Ripples.
“Come on,” Joy said, forcing joviality into her voice. “I have a plan.”
Sophie gave another sniffle and eyed Joy suspiciously. “What?”
“We’re going on a picnic.”
“A picnic?” Sophie said, showing a bit of interest.
“Yeah. I’m going to make my world-famous peanut butter and secret ingredient sandwiches. Then we’re going on an adventure.”
“Where?”
“It’s a secret. We’ll make our lunch, and we’ll leave a note for your sleepy-head daddy and go.” It was probably cowardly to use Sophie as a barrier between herself and Gabriel, but Joy just couldn’t face the thought of seeing him. She needed distance. Thoughts of kissing, and even more, had plagued her for days. She had to come to grips with these unrealized, unattainable dreams.
No matter what the fairies said, Gabriel wasn’t interested in her that way.
“Why do we have to leave a note?” Sophie asked.
“So he won’t worry when he wakes up. You should never scare the people you love like that. You leave a note and let them know where you went and when you’ll be home.”
“Okay.”
They were both in the process of assembling a lunch when Gabriel came down the stairs. “You two should have woke me sooner than this.”
“Sorry, we were busy. Coffee’s still fresh, though,” Joy said over her shoulder. “You can help yourself and relax with the paper. Sophie and I are off to have an adventure.”
“An adventure?” he asked groggily.
“We’re going on a picnic in the woods, Daddy.”
“Just the two of you?” he asked. “Aren’t you afraid of bears?”
“Bears?” Sophie whispered.
“There are no bears in the woods,” Joy assured her and glared at Gabriel.
“Oh, yes there are. They’re big, and they are only afraid of one thing.”
“What?” Sophie asked, looking nervously at the two of them, obviously unsure who to believe.
“Gabriel, you’re scaring her,” Joy scolded.
Gabriel ignored Joy and concentrated on Sophie. “Daddies. That’s what bears are afraid of. If you take a daddy with you, they’ll never come near you.”
“Really?” Sophie asked.
Gabriel ran his fingers in a cross across his chest. “Honest and truly.”
“Men,” Joy groused. “If you wanted to come along, you could have asked. You didn’t have to scare a six-year-old half to death.”
He gave her a funny look. “You might have told me no if you didn’t think you needed me.”
Joy ignored him and turned to Sophie. “What do you think? Should we take your dad along as a bear protector?” She glared at Gabriel. “He’d have to pull his weight. I mean, we made the lunch, so he’d have to think of something to offer.”
“I could take you to the best picnic area in the whole woods,” he volunteered.
“The best?” Sophie asked.
“The very, very best,” he said, giving her braids a swat.
“I guess we could take you, if it’s okay with Joy,” Sophie allowed.
“Well?” he asked Joy.
Part of Joy wanted to shout, No, but she couldn’t. She needed as much distance as she could get between the two of them, but Sophie needed him there more. It was her last day, so what could happen?
“Don’t you have plans with Helen today?” she asked, giving her peace-filled day one more chance.
He shook his head and Joy, recognizing defeat, nodded. “If you really want to come, then I guess we could use some protection from all those bears.” She tried to force a smile, but suspected it wasn’t very convincing.
Gabriel had them organized and out the door within minutes, and about ten minutes later he shouted, “Ta da.” The three of them stood in front of a small creek. “I thought it might be fun to go wading.”
“You’re right, Daddy, this is the best place.” Sophie sat on the ground and whipped off her shoes and socks. “Come on.”
Joy set their lunch down and peeled off her sneakers and socks as well. “Have you ever gone skating in a creek?”
“Skating?” Sophie asked.
“Look at that flat rock there. Can you see the green slime on it?” Joy pointed to a long grey piece of slate.
“Ew, slime is slimy,” Sophie said, her pert little nose wrinkling.
The creek was shallow and well shaded by the trees that lined its banks. The flat granite rock that the water flowed over was covered with green algae.
“Yeah, and it’s slippery. You can slide across it, just like it was ice.” Joy was already standing ankle deep in the water.
“Really?” Sophie didn’t look convinced that ice skating on slime was a good thing.
“Really. My brothers and I used to do it all the time when we were little.” Joy turned to Gabriel, beckoning him to join her. “Are you coming in?”
“I’m not sure I want to go slime skating. I was thinking about doing some plain old, traditional wading.”
“He’s an old fogey,” Joy stage whispered to Sophie.
“What’s a fogey?” Sophie asked.
“That’s what we call someone who won’t try something new.” Joy grinned at Gabriel, throwing down the gauntlet.
“Won’t try anything new?” That he had accepted the challenge was evident as he leaned down and peeled off his shoes and socks. “Oh, I accept. And I’ll
show you who is the king of slime skating.”
“Yeah, big words from an old fogey.” Joy took Sophie’s hand, pulling her towards the large, flat rock. “We’ll show him.”
She and Sophie tripped and giggled as they made their way across the slippery surface.
“Hey, hurry up Daddy. Joy was right, this is fun.”
Gabriel didn’t look too sure. “It feels gross,” he said as he stepped into the water.
“Baby,” Joy taunted.
“That’s it. You’re in for it now.” He made a dash—a very unwise thing to do when walking on slime. A very, very unwise thing. That much was apparent as Gabriel began his downward descent.
Joy rushed toward him, though she wasn’t sure what she expected to accomplish. What she did accomplish was getting pulled down with him—under him actually—as he hit the floor of the creek. “Gabriel!” she screamed.
Thankfully, the water was shallow, and even pinned beneath him Joy was in no danger of being submerged.
Gabriel didn’t say a thing. Actually, he couldn’t say a thing because he was laughing so hard. The laughter slowly died and was replaced by an intensity that momentarily stole Joy’s breath away. Despite his height advantage, his body’s contours seemed to be a perfect match to hers. Joy had once read that people were all the same height when horizontal. Why she thought of that now, she wasn’t sure. Or, maybe she was. Thinking about height was easier than thinking about the rightness in the feel of him. There was a sense of coming home. It was every dream she’d ever had, every fantasy she’d ever indulged.
“Daddy, you’re smooshing Joy,” Sophie said between giggles.
Joy rejoined reality with a thud that more than matched their fall. “Get off me, you fool.”
“I don’t think I can move.” Whatever she had thought she’d seen was replaced by Gabriel’s chuckles. He climbed off her and slipped again, this time landing thankfully on the creek bottom, not on her.
Joy climbed damply out of the water and watched as Gabriel and Sophie played in the creek’s shallows. She was going to miss them more than she ever would have imagined possible.
“Lunch,” she called when watching them became almost too painful to bear.
