“I’m sorry, Miss Piper,” Shane blurted out. “I didn’t mean what I said.”
Tenderness welled inside her, and she felt her eyes sting with emotion. “It’s okay, Shane. And thank you for apologizing. It takes courage to say you’re sorry.”
The child nodded his head and then carefully transported the puppy to its mother. Piper met Gabe’s eyes, and he mouthed a thank you to her. They worked together, making sure the puppies were all situated before Lindsey declared it was time to watch a movie. The kids had chosen a movie Piper had never seen before about an ambitious bunny from the country who wanted to be a police officer in a big city.
“You can sit by me,” Lindsey said, pulling her by the hand toward the couch.
Gabe and Shane were already seated, taking up one half of the couch. Lindsey climbed onto the sofa, but instead of sitting by her father, she scooted to the side and patted the empty space between her and Gabe. “You can sit right here.”
The wicked grin on Gabe’s face made her wonder if he’d put his daughter up to the seating arrangement. She narrowed her gaze slightly before taking her seat.
He leaned down and whispered, “I had nothing to do with this.” His warm breath tickled her ear and made gooseflesh pebble her skin. “But I’m very happy with the seating arrangement.”
Piper couldn’t speak. Her mouth had gone completely dry. So she nodded her head and eased back against the couch. The movie started, and she did her best to focus on the human-like animal characters. It was hard though because she was acutely aware of Gabe.
Not fifteen minutes into the show, he shifted slightly so his leg pressed against hers. Heat rocketed through her from the contact spot. If it were possible for humans to spontaneously combust, she would have done so by now.
She wasn’t sure how much more time had passed when Gabe casually slid his hand over to take hers, twining their fingers together. His touch melted her, and she gave into the temptation to lean against him. His body tensed for a brief second before she felt him relax.
Chapter 14
Gabe had forgotten how incredible it felt to have a woman sit close to him, especially one that he liked so much. He turned to see if Lindsey was asleep. She’d stopped making comments about twenty minutes ago. His chin grazed the top of Piper’s head, and he got a better whiff of the flowery scent he’d picked up with her sitting so close. Her hair was soft and, not for the first time tonight, he imagined tunneling his fingers through her hair as he kissed her.
Piper turned her head toward Lindsey, giving Gabe a clear view of his sleeping daughter. Piper let go of Gabe’s hand to pick up the blanket Lindsey had brought from her bedroom and draped it over her. She patted it once before relaxing back against him. Instead of taking her hand again, he slipped his arm behind her and curled it around her shoulder.
Contentment he hadn’t experienced for a long time settled over him. He welcomed the feeling and didn’t try to over analyze where he and Piper would go from here. Shane was all right with things right now, but how would he feel if he were to take notice of the shift in his and Piper’s relationship? Because it had changed and Gabe knew they could never go back to the way things were before. At least he couldn’t do it.
Piper snuggled in closer, her hand sliding across his chest and coming to rest on his side. He fingered the hair spilling over her shoulders and allowed himself to consider the possibility that he was falling in love. As fearful as he was to allow a woman back into his life, he didn’t want to blow an opportunity to find happiness again because of his previous marriage and how it had ended.
Although he’d only known her a short time, he was confidant Piper wasn’t the type of woman to go after another man, especially when that man was married. MaryEllen’s new husband had left behind a wife and a daughter a year younger than Lindsey. Two marriages had been destroyed. Two families severed.
Pushing away the negative thoughts, Gabe enjoyed the moment of closeness. The movie ended with the theme song being sung by a gazelle the filmmakers had actually made attractive.
“That movie was adorable,” Piper whispered as she untangled herself from him. “I could watch it again.”
“So could I,” Gabe said with a wink.
Shane didn’t move when Gabe got up from the couch. He wasn’t sure when he’d fallen asleep, but curled up on the couch he looked like a little boy again. Gabe glanced over to Piper. “I’ll carry him first and then come back for Linds.”
“I can carry her.”
“You sure?”
She brought her arm up and flexed. “I work out… most days.”
He chuckled and turned to lift Shane up. The kid was getting big. He stirred a little but didn’t wake up. Gabe knew from experience that if his children woke up, it would be a while before they fell back asleep.
He could hear Piper coming up the stairs behind him. He liked having her here. He liked having someone else to help him put the kids to bed. The only drawback was after they tucked the kids in bed, she’d be sleeping downstairs instead of sharing a room with him.
Shane turned on his side, and Gabe covered him up with the quilt. He quietly left the room and walked across the hall in time to see Piper do the same thing with his daughter. Except after pulling the covers up over the little girl, Piper leaned over and pressed a kiss to Lindsey’s head.
As she turned to leave the room, their eyes met and a current of energy flowed between them. Gabe held out his hand, and she slipped her fingers through his. He felt connected to her in an emotional way he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Will she sleep through the night?” Piper asked when the window shook from a blast of wind.
“They both usually sleep through anything.” He squeezed her fingers. “But they know they can wake me up any time. I’m a pretty light sleeper.”
They descended the last step and walked over by the fireplace. “You’re a really good dad,” Piper said, turning so she faced him.
“I hope so.”
“You are.” She peered into his eyes, her lips bowed into a soft smile.
Gabe didn’t overthink what he did next. He simply put his hands on her hips, lowered his head and kissed her. As if struck by lightning, heat spiraled through him, unleashing a desire he hadn’t expected. His fingers pressed into her lower back, drawing her closer. Her lips were soft and melded perfectly against his as she returned the kiss with a passion that matched his own. Sighing against his mouth, she wound her arms around his neck and slid her fingers through the hair that touched his collar.
It had been so long since he’d last kissed a woman, especially a woman who welcomed his kiss. Powerful emotions engulfed him as he deepened the exchange, but he had enough experience to keep those feelings in check. Gabe had a firm conviction that sex wasn’t something that happened just because you were attracted to someone. It was something to be shared between a man and a woman after they were married.
He kept his hands at her hips, but the need for more hovered at the edge. Knowing what his limit was, Gabe eased back and tucked her head under his chin. His heart thundered inside his chest as he took in a ragged breath. He could feel Piper tremble as she tightened her hold on him.
“Best kiss ever,” she said breathlessly.
He chuckled and pulled back enough to peer into her upturned face. “Oh yeah?”
“Definitely.”
He’d never been complimented on his kissing skills before, although he’d done plenty of kissing before he got married. He had to admit it was good for his male ego, which had taken a huge hit when his wife cheated on him.
“Just so I don’t get a big head about my kissing ability, have you had a lot of kisses to compare it with?” The thought of her kissing anyone else made him crazy inside, but they knew so little about each other’s past. And he wanted to know everything about her.
Her lips twitched at the corners. “Gabe, I’m twenty-nine so, yes, I’ve had my fair share of kisses to compare it with.”
“
You’re that old?”
“Hey,” she said, dropping her arms from his neck and lightly smacking him on the chest.
“I didn’t mean it that way… I was seriously just hoping you were at least twenty-four. More than a ten-year age difference would make me feel like a creep.”
“You’re thirty-four then?” she asked, her eyes going soft again.
“Am I too old for you?” he asked, his newfound confidence cracking a little.
“Hmm.” She placed her palms on his chest. “I don’t know. Maybe you should kiss me again to help me decide.”
“I think I can do that.” He cupped her face with his hands and brushed his mouth against hers, intent on improving his kissing status. But all thoughts fled the moment their lips met. He reveled in the closeness as he tunneled his fingers through her soft hair, feeling like his fractured soul had finally found its mate. Still, it wasn’t enough. Craving more, he tilted her head back and kissed her thoroughly and deeply.
Piper made a small noise of satisfaction, igniting a swirl of desire that had Gabe’s control on the verge of disintegrating. They needed to do something else… like maybe take a walk outside.
It was Rascal’s barking that penetrated the intoxicating fog in Gabe’s brain and helped him to end the kiss.
“I need to let him out,” he murmured against the corner of her mouth.
“Okay.”
He didn’t move an inch. She didn’t either.
“I might have to go out with him.”
“But it’s windy and cold,” she said, tipping her face up to look at him.
“Exactly.”
Laughing, she stepped away. “Go get Rascal, and I’ll check on the puppies.”
The barking continued, and Gabe forced himself to let go of Piper. He turned and hurried to the mudroom where he kept Rascal’s crate. The dog shook the metal pen as he waited for Gabe’s fingers to unlatch the door. When it sprang open, Rascal dashed out and nudged the mudroom door open. Gabe waited for the crash of something or the chaotic barking from Anastasia protecting her babies from the rambunctious dog.
He was completely shocked when he came out to see Rascal sitting calmly next to the bed, staring at the puppies. Did he know they were his?
“He got away from me,” Gabe said when Piper looked at him. “Glad he didn’t cause any problems.”
“It was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.” She glanced back at the dogs and then met Gabe’s eyes again. “He came crashing out of the room and skidded across the floor. Just as I was about to intervene, he stopped, sniffed the puppies and then sat back on his haunches and stared at them like he was going to keep watch over them.”
“I didn’t know it was possible for him to sit so still,” Gabe said, stepping close enough to Piper that their arms touched. He loved it when she slipped her hand in his and leaned her head against his shoulder.
As they stood there observing the little dog family, Gabe knew he was in love with Piper. It didn’t make sense, and he knew others would be skeptical if he were to admit his feelings. Shoot, he’d been a skeptic himself when a few of his friends had fallen in love so quickly, but now he understood.
His phone dinged in his pocket. He withdrew it and glanced at the partial message on the screen. “This is from Sheriff Carter,” Gabe said, releasing Piper’s hand so he could swipe his finger across the screen to read the full message.
She leaned in closer, and he held up the phone so they could both read the message.
Gabe, wind knocked down a power line about half mile north of you. The road is closed due to the downed power lines crossing the intersection. Crews are working to get things fixed but the wind is making it difficult. The power outage has only affected your area and I need to make sure everyone has another source of heat because the temps are going to drop below freezing. I’ve contacted all of the neighbors except for the young lady housesitting for Mrs. Williams. Any chance you can update me on her status?
“I think I can do that,” Gabe said wryly.
He typed a quick reply, thanking the sheriff for the update and to also let him know he and Piper were fine for the night. Then he sent a message to his secretary and law partner to notify them the road was closed due to a downed power line and he wouldn’t be into work until the power company had it fixed. Since the kids would be staying home from school, Gabe also sent off a text to Doreen to tell her he probably wouldn’t need her tomorrow.
Rascal had finished his moment of silence and started barking to be let out. “Be right back.” Gabe said, slipping his phone into his pocket.
“Okay.” She picked up the small overnight bag she’d packed. “I’m going to step into the bathroom to brush my teeth.”
“There’s toothpaste in the drawer if you forgot to bring some.” Gabe led Rascal to the back door. “Hurry up, boy,” he said, letting the dog out.
Although it seemed like the wind had eased up slightly, the temperature had obviously dropped a few degrees. He quickly closed the door to allow Rascal to take care of business.
Leaning against the wall, Gabe heard Piper humming in the bathroom. He loved having her here and wanted to talk to her about exploring their relationship. The way she’d kissed him back gave him hope that she shared his feelings. He still wasn’t sure how Shane would react if he and Piper started dating, but figured he’d do what he’d been doing for the past two years— take one day at a time.
After letting Rascal back in and securing him back in his crate for the night, Gabe found Piper sitting on the couch looking through a small scrapbook his sister had given him for Christmas. It had been a thoughtful gift and helped him to see that he and his children could be a family— a happy family— even without MaryEllen.
“I hope you don’t mind me looking, but this is so incredible,” Piper said when he sat down next to her. “Did you do this?”
Gabe lifted a skeptical brow. “Do I look like the kind of guy who scrapbooks?”
“I don’t know,” she teased. “I’ve never met a guy that scrapbooks.”
“My point exactly.”
She laughed and snuggled in close to him so they could both view the book. “I love this picture,” she said, pointing out a picture of Gabe and the kids standing in front of Old Faithful in Yellowstone. “I’ve never been there before.”
“We camped there this summer with my sister and her family. Lindsey had never been camping before because MaryEllen, my ex-wife, didn’t like to camp.”
“Did Lindsey like it?” Piper questioned, turning the page. He could tell she was curious about his ex-wife and knew eventually he’d have to tell her why he was no longer married.
“Yeah.” Gabe tapped on a picture of his daughter holding up a fish she’d caught with very little help. “She loved fishing. More so than Shane.”
“I’ve never been fishing before either,” Piper said.
“Then I’ll be sure and take you when the weather changes.”
She stilled and lifted her eyes up to meet his. “When the weather changes, Mrs. Williams will be back home from Florida.”
Although she didn’t say it, Gabe knew what she was thinking. That when Mrs. Williams came home, Piper would be leaving. But she didn’t have to leave. He didn’t want her to leave.
This was the perfect time for them to discuss the future. Gabe wasn’t about to let it pass. “You know, there are other places you could live here in Snow Valley.”
Chapter 15
Piper looked into Gabe’s blue eyes and tried to determine what he meant with the invitation. Was he asking her to stay or just throwing it out there?
“That’s true.” She fingered the corner of the scrapbook page. “But I don’t know if I could find a teaching job.”
“You’re a teacher?” The fact that he didn’t know that testified to how little they knew of one another.
“Yes. I have a degree in elementary education with a minor in music.”
He smiled. “That makes sense. You’re amazing with
my kids and a talented musician.”
“Thank you.” She knew his next question would be about her last job and why she had left. How much did she dare reveal? She dreaded ever telling him about her relationship with Tucker Langston. It was embarrassing how naïve and stupid she’d been to fall for his lies.
Wanting to prolong the discussion a little longer, she pointed to a picture of a pretty blonde woman standing next to Gabe. “Is this your sister?”
“No, that’s my mother,” Gabe said with a laugh. “And she is going to absolutely love you when I tell her you thought she was my sister.”
Piper brought the book up closer. “This is really your mom?” She was astounded how young the woman appeared. “I know this is taboo but how old is she?”
“She turned sixty-one in November.”
“What’s her secret?” Piper asked, looking back up at Gabe. He’d obviously inherited some of his mother’s genes because he looked closer to her age than thirty-four.
“She claims it’s the water from the natural spring on our property.”
“She should bottle it up and sell it with her face on the label. She’d make a fortune.”
A smile creased Gabe’s face. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“So where is your sister?” Piper asked, turning the next page.
Gabe turned another page and pointed to another beautiful blonde who looked very much like their mother. “Sarah is two years older than me.” Then he pointed out her husband and three children. “And this handsome guy is my dad,” he said, turning the page.
Piper brought the book closer to examine the man. He had the same eyes as Gabe, but his dark hair had turned mostly gray. “He is handsome and looks like his son.”
“You think I’m handsome, huh?” Gabe said close to her ear.
His warm breath heated her skin and made her pulse leap. “Very handsome,” she said, turning toward him. They were only a breath apart, and Piper wanted him to kiss her again. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told him that his kiss had been the best one ever. Of course, the second kiss had totally rocked her world. It had scared her a little how much she’d liked it… and how much she hadn’t wanted him to stop.
Winter in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance) Page 41
