Gabe (Steele Brothers #6)

By Cheryl Douglas

Gabe Steele lives by one rule: stay away from married women. He has no problem staying the course until a sexy new neighbour moves in next door. Kendra is his friend and colleague’s estranged wife. Another reason to stay the hell away from her. But Gabe can’t seem to get his head and heart to follow the rules.
Kendra’s ex-husband was a liar and cheat, so leaving him was a no-brainer for her. In fact, she’s sworn off men... that is until she moves in next door to her ex’s boss. She’s known Gabe a long time, as a friend, but when their friendship evolves into more she has to find a way to convince him their sparks won’t erupt in a life-shattering inferno.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Douglas
• Release date: Apr 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310250460

Cheryl Douglas

Cheryl Douglas is a USA Today bestselling author who kicks back in the country, surrounded by farm land and nature. Her life revolves around family, country music, travel, caffeine, chocolate, and deadlines.Visit Cheryl at www.authorcheryldouglas.com

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Chapter 1

Kendra

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I was sitting on my front steps, watching my six year-old proudly ride her tricycle up and down the street, occasionally taking one little hand off the handlebar to wave and give me that gap-toothed grin that melted my heart every time.

Just when I was basking in the glow of the warm sunshine coupled with an afternoon of nothing to do but hang out with my favorite little person, an unwelcome silver pick-up pulled into the drive, souring my mood instantly, the way only a stubborn estranged husband can.

Jason would have been my ex-husband by now, if only he’d sign the damn divorce papers.

Charlene let out a squeal at the sight of her Daddy, peddling as fast as her little legs would carry her back to our drive. Daddy!

I grit my teeth, reminding myself that her pleasure in seeing him was as justified as my displeasure at seeing him. He’d turned my whole world upside down when he decided to cheat on me eighteen months ago. But Charlene was too young to know or care that the daddy she adored was a liar and a cheat. Thank God for small favors.

Hey baby, he said, scooping her up in his arms when she jumped off her tricycle. How’s my pretty girl? he asked, swinging her around in his arms.

Look, she said, opening her mouth wide. I lost another tooth.

Well, will you look at that? You sure did. You think the tooth fairy will pay you a visit tonight? he asked, walking over to me, our daughter resting on his hip.

Mommy says she will. I just have to ‘member to put the tooth under my pillow ‘afore I go to sleep.

The screen door was open and I could hear the phone ring. I leaned back to listen to that monotone voice announce my parent’s number. Hey, Nana must be calling. Why don’t you run in and grab it, sweetie?

Will you wait for me? Char asked her dad.

It was a legitimate question, since he hadn’t been too reliable lately. As a firefighter, he claimed he was working extra shifts to make up for the child support he now had to pay, but I wasn’t buying it. I suspected he was spending time with some pretty little blonde, while pretending that putting his family back together was the only thing that mattered to him.

He had the rest of the world convinced he was one of the good guys, but I’d lived with him for seven years. I knew better.

Sure will, he said, setting her down so she could run to answer the call before voice mail beat her to it.

What are you doing here? I asked when I heard Char happily chatting with my mother about the latest hole in her mouth. You know you can’t just stop by like this. I asked you to call first.

Just like when we were together, Jason had a hard time taking my boundaries seriously. He thought because I’d taken his last name that gave him certain rights where I was concerned. I thought he was delusional.

I was just passing by and wanted to talk to you about this weekend, he said, propping a running shoe on the bottom step, right beside my sandaled foot.

I’d tried to be more than fair about visitation, but since we didn’t have a formal agreement in place, Jason assumed his visits were fluid, meaning he could cancel them on a whim whenever he got a better offer.

Let me guess, you have to work?

Since Jason’s boss, Gabe Steele, lived right next door, I knew I could ask him about my estranged husband’s schedule, but Gabe had made it clear he didn’t intend to be drawn into our domestic dispute. He claimed it was because he considered Jason a friend, but I believed it was because he was fighting his attraction to me. Damn stubborn man. I seemed to be surrounded by them.

Hey, don’t be like that, he said, nudging my knee with his leg. My job puts food on both our tables.

I counted backwards from five, reminding myself I’d been working too hard on maintaining a positive mental attitude, for Char’s sake, to allow him to de-rail me. You’re not the only one working, Jason. Any money you give me is for our daughter. As for keeping a roof over her head and food in her belly, that’s all me.

He glanced up at the two story brick house with the freshly painted porch and well-tended gardens. Except the roof you’re keeping over our daughter’s head isn’t yours. It’s your parents.

My parents owned a few rental houses and this one had been vacant when I told them I was leaving my husband. They’d insisted I move in until I adjusted to life as a single woman or decided to take my husband back. Knowing in my heart my marriage was over, I’d demanded a long-term lease and reasonable rent, refusing to move in unless they allowed me to pay them.

I’ve told you before, I’m not staying here for free.

If Jason granted the divorce, he’d have to pay alimony. Yet another reason for him to drag his feet. My lawyer assured me he wouldn’t get away with it for much longer, but he didn’t know the man I’d married the way I did. When Jason made up his mind about something, no one was going to change it. And he’d convinced himself we were somehow better together than apart. Probably because it was cheaper for him that way.

Yeah, but your parents wouldn’t care whether or not you paid them a dime. I heard the resentment lacing his words.

I was an only child and I’d always had a close relationship with my parents. Same went for Char, who rarely saw her paternal grandparents, since Jason’s relationship with his divorced parents was strained, to say the least.

You were saying something about this weekend? I asked, ignoring the jibe. I just wanted him to be on his way, so I could enjoy a rare afternoon off with our daughter. As a private nurse, my hours were unpredictable, and since I had to work more now than I had when Jason and I had been together, I tried to make every moment with Char count.

Yeah, I can’t do Saturday. Something’s come up.

He’d promised to take Char to the zoo, and she’d talked of little else for days. You know she’s going to be disappointed, don’t you?

My next door neighbour, a divorcee with two kids, one just a little older than Char, pulled her SUV into her drive, waving out the open window. She’d become my friend and babysitter in the year and a half since I’d moved in, and I honestly didn’t know what I’d do without her.

Her daughter, Maxine, bounded out of her booster seat as soon as her mom opened the door. Can Char come over and play? she asked, clutching her stuffed animal.

Before I could respond, Char returned, thrusting the cordless phone at me. Nan wants to know if we can come over for dinner.

Since I didn’t feel much like cooking tonight, I welcomed the offer. Hey Mom, I said, holding the phone to my ear. Can you hold on a sec?

Sure hon, she responded. Someone’s ringing my doorbell anyhow. You take your time.

Hey, my friend and neighbour, Lizzie, said, eyeing Jason warily. Char’s more than welcome.

Since the two girls were already making their way up the stairs, followed by Max’s older brother, I said, Thanks, but she can’t stay long. We’re going to head over to my parents for dinner soon. I’d promised to take Char for ice cream this afternoon, and I knew she wouldn’t let me forget. We’d have to settle on a small cup, so as not to spoil her appetite.

No worries, Max said, reaching into her vehicle for her purse and phone. Just come get her whenever you’re ready.

Love you, baby, Jason said to Char, just before she reached the door.

Love you too. She giggled, blowing him a dramatic kiss. Don’t forget the zoo.

Gabe stepped out onto his porch, took one look at us, and clearly thought about returning to the safety of his home. Coward.

Hey, Chief, Jason said, slipping his sunglasses up on his head.

Gabe had just been promoted to fire chief a couple of months ago and had confessed to me he was still getting used to his new post.

Hey guys, he said, raising his hand. I was just going to cut my lawn. He rubbed the scruff on his jaw before slipping his own sunglasses into place after our eyes met and lingered. I’ll uh, start on the backyard though. Don’t want to interrupt your chat.

Gabe had been trying to convince me I owed it to my daughter to give Jason another chance, even though it was obvious we had serious chemistry. I didn’t want my ex. I wanted him, but he was either too blind or too noble to see that. Either way, it was really starting to piss me off.

No need, we’re done here. I glared at Jason. Don’t worry about the weekend. I’ll take her to the zoo myself.

I’ll make it up to her, he promised, walking backwards towards his truck. I’ll call you. We’ll set something up.

I wasn’t holding my breath. Hello, I said into the receiver while Jason waved good-bye to his boss. Sorry about that, Mom. We’d love to come to dinner. Can I bring anything?

Just your sweet selves. Her usual reply. We’ll sit down around six, but come over whenever you like. Char can help me pick some veggies from the garden for the salad. You know how much she loves that.

Sure, I said, checking my watch. We should be there around five, if that’s okay?

Perfect. See you then, honey.

Gabe was leaning against one of two large pillars flanking his porch, ostensibly checking his phone, when I looked up.

Hey, Chief, I said, smiling. I was just going in to get some lemonade. You want some?

He gave me that half-smile that always made my breath come a little quicker. Sure, I’d love some, he said, walking down the few steps leading to his walkway. Thanks.

By the time I returned with the glasses a few minutes later, Gabe had made himself comfortable on the porch swing he claimed to love. He swore a porch swing was his next D.I.Y. project, but he never seemed to get around to it.

Between work, his large family, and impressive social network, he always had somewhere to be. Or maybe he was trying to limit his time at home to avoid me and the attraction that had been building between us for months.

It started out as an innocent friendship when I moved in. I confided in him about my marriage. He confided in me about how much he hated the dating scene and the fact that he was a little envious of the solid relationships his brothers had built.

I wanted the same thing he did: someone to love and trust, but he refused to believe I could be that person for him. Since he’d convinced himself my love and loyalty belonged to the father of my child, he’d tried to keep our relationship light and fun, but it wasn’t working. At least not for me. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted from our time together.

Thanks for the lemonade, he said, holding up the glass I’d passed to him when I sat down beside him. It’s hotter than hell out here today, isn’t it?

Are we really going to talk about the weather, Gabe?

Last time we’d talked I’d worked up the courage to suggest we go out for dinner and he’d made up a lame excuse about being busy for the next several weeks, helping one of his brothers with a renovation project during his down time.

You looked kind of upset when Jason left, he said, clearly trying to remind me of the man he wouldn’t let me forget. Everything okay?

Jason is… just being Jason. I was making a concerted effort not to badmouth him or anyone else. I didn’t like the spiral of negativity I’d found myself in after the affair and I was actively trying to make conscious choices to help me become the happy, upbeat person I’d been before we met. He promised to take Char to the zoo on the weekend. But now he says he can’t make it.

I could have asked Gabe if he had to work, but I honestly didn’t want another reason to be mad at my ex.

Sorry to hear that, he said, taking a sip of his lemonade. I hope she won’t be too disappointed.

It’s fine, I said, shrugging. I’ll take her. I knew our daughter would be disappointed that her father had broken another promise, but she was resilient, she’d get over it.

You’re an amazing mom, you know that? Gabe asked, bumping his shoulder with mine. That little girl is lucky to have you.

I’m lucky to have her, I countered. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

Did you always want to be a mother? Gabe asked, making the swing sway gently.

Always. I set my cool glass down on the armrest of the swing, wiping my damp palms on my cotton leggings. Being an only child, I’d always wanted a brother or sister to play with, but my parents couldn’t have any more children. I swore when I got married I’d have a house full of them.

I’m sorry it didn’t work out that way, Gabe said softly, his eyes finally meeting mine.

It still could, I said, licking my lips. I haven’t given up hope.

You shouldn’t, he said, clearing his throat as he broke eye contact. You and Jason could still get back together, grow your family.

I wasn’t talking about Jason, I said, tempted to growl to release my frustration. I could hit this man upside the head and he still wouldn’t get the message that he was the one I wanted.

Gabe waved at an elderly gentleman walking his little white dog on the other side of the street. He’d lived here almost four years, he told me, and it seemed everyone in the neighbourhood knew and liked him.

I’m over him, I said, trying to continue the conversation. I don’t know what more I can say or do to convince you of that.

You don’t know how hard this is for me, he said, his voice tight. You know I like you. A lot. But I refuse to be the reason you divorce your husband.

Touching his forearm, I said, I initiated divorce proceedings a long time ago and I assure you it had nothing to do with you. Jason cheated on me. For me, that’s a deal breaker.

I know. He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, looking annoyed. And believe me, I’ve asked myself a hundred times how he could have been so stupid. But he made one mistake, Kendra. I can’t help but think he deserves another chance.

That’s my call to make, not yours. I didn’t mean to be so short with him, but all my life well-meaning people had been trying to steer me in the right direction, believing they knew what was best for me, and I was tired of it.

I know that. But to hear Jason tell it, you and Char are his world. I really believe he still loves you, that given the chance he wouldn’t make the same stupid mistake again.

If it were only one stupid mistake, perhaps I could overlook it. But it was a pattern of behavior with Jason. He’d make off-colour jokes about other women, often checking them out or flirting right in front of me. He’d gotten caught cheating once, only after his disgruntled lover called to tell me about them, but I wasn’t naïve enough to believe she’d been his only indiscretion.

I know you think you know him, but trust me, you don’t. I remembered my promise to myself not to badmouth Jason, and sighed, wondering if it would ever get easier. I don’t want to list all the reasons we’ll never get back together because honestly, they don’t even matter. What does matter is what’s in my heart. I waited until he looked at me before I said, I don’t love him anymore, Gabe. I haven’t for a long time.

He stood quickly, as though I’d professed my love for him. Thanks for the lemonade, he said, setting his half-empty glass down on the painted wood table beside him. It was great.

I reached for his hand to prevent him from leaving. I’m ready to move on with my life, whether you believe that or not. I’d never been the aggressor in a relationship before, but I knew Gabe was special. I’d have to go on a hundred lousy dates to meet someone like him.

But Jason isn’t. He pulled back, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his worn jeans. And I won’t be the reason a friend of mine can’t tuck his baby girl in at night.

Chapter 2

Kendra

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I was still fuming when I went over to pick Char up from her playdate.

Liz took one look at me and laughed. You look like you could use a stiff drink, girl.

If I wasn’t driving to my parents place in a bit, I just might take you up on that. Lately, I’d relied on journaling, yoga, and meditation to release my pent up frustration but sometimes between Gabe and Jason, only a drink and a bitchfest with a girlfriend could take the edge off.

The girls are watching the last few minutes of their show, Liz said, hooking her arm through mine as she led me toward the kitchen. That gives you a few minutes to tell me what’s got you so bent out of shape.

Liz was a yoga instructor at a fitness facility down the street, and the one who’d introduced me to this path of self-discovery I’d found myself on since my separation, so I was almost embarrassed to admit to her that I found myself coming apart at the seams. Again.

Same old, same old, I said, sinking into one of the lovingly refinished chairs at her vintage table. Jason failing to live up to his responsibilities and Gabe being a martyr.

Char turned from steeping our favorite herbal tea, giving me a sympathetic smile. I know you don’t want to hear this, but Gabe’s high moral code is the very reason you fell for him in the first place. He’s everything Jason isn’t: honest, reliable, trustworthy, considerate… Need I go on?

I sighed when she sat down beside me, depositing two of her delicate, hand painted cups and saucers between us. No, you’re right. I pulled my long hair off my face, propping my elbow on the table. I wouldn’t change Gabe for anything. But what can I do to make him realize I am ready to move on?

Only one way I can think of, Liz said, adding a drop of honey to her tea. Start dating again.

Ugh. I saw no point in dating with the man I was most attracted to living right next door. I don’t have time to date.

But you do have time for Gabe? she asked, smiling. How does that work?

It’s different, I argued.