Heart storms, p.19
Heart Storms, page 19
“No.” He took her hand. “You need to do what you need to do.”
She played with her food and said, “With as much as you care for and respect me, remember the harm he caused me for so many years. Doesn’t it upset you?”
Looking up from his meal, Gabe said, “It makes me want to cause him physical pain.”
“Okay. What I’m doing is not nearly as bad. You now understand why I have to do this one thing. Then it’s over. Even though the scales of justice can’t ever be even where he’s concerned, I’ll leave the rest to God to judge. I’ll let it go—but after I send these photos.”
Gabe drank more wine. “Just remember, when you do something for vengeance, it doesn’t always work out the way you planned. Expect the unexpected because the outcome might not be what you want, or it might not be so great.”
“Okay, ‘Mom,’ she said jokingly. “My mother said it was a ‘ricochet of hate,’ if I did something bad to him, it would come back to me.”
“Smart mother. I like her already.”
Jade moved to his side and hugged him. “She’ll love you, Gabe. We talked about her visiting in February in off-season, and the three of us spending time together. She’ll adore you.”
Gabe smiled before taking a forkful of food, but a tremor grabbed him, like thunder through his heart. Something bad would happen. He didn’t know what and didn’t want to. But his gut told him he might never meet her mother. He tried to ignore it, squelch it, but the rumbling continued. He was a good chameleon, though, hiding the emotions he didn’t want to deal with—from others, and mostly from himself. After swallowing his pasta, he calmly said, “Great scampi, by the way.”
***
Maggie had the same sense as Gabe regarding the photos and possible negative backlash. Jade mulled the pros and cons, but the pros won. She would, however, have the heart to wait until after Christmas. But what a start to the devil’s new year. No one deserves it more.
***
Thanksgiving week, and the week before Christmas through New Year’s, the inn was booked ninety percent. Back to the grind again, Jade and Gabe didn’t have much time to do anything but work. She’d even forgotten temporarily about the revenge photos.
Gabe didn’t, though. His intuition said there’d be fallout from them. He didn’t ask when she was sending them but hoped the fallout wouldn’t happen over the holidays.
Meantime, the success of the inn had Rick overjoyed. He kept an eye on Jade, though, and had suspicions about her seeing Gabe socially because they seemed chummy and affectionate when they thought no one saw. But there was nothing he could do about it. Better to let it go, especially with how busy they were preparing for the holidays.
Thanks to Jade, the inn’s Christmas look was as traditional as it was magical, decorated with fresh pine garland, holly berries, and pine cones. The whole staff helped decorate the ten-foot Christmas tree in the foyer. Jade brought in champagne and finger-food for the staff holiday party while they decorated the tree. There were thousands of tiny white lights hung from ceiling to floor inside and out. Lit candles were everywhere along with yards of red and green satin ribbons. She filled baskets with fresh fruit, pineapples, and gourmet chocolates. Classic holiday music played throughout the common areas and the scent of pine drifted throughout the inn.
Gabe planned a special Christmas morning breakfast and brunch. Along with the favorite egg and pancake dishes, homemade biscuits and gravy, he’d make fresh cinnamon rolls, hash brown Andouille sausage quiche, pecan waffles, shrimp with grits and gravy, apple cake; and sweet potato and pecan pies. He planned fancy hors d’oeuvres and dessert fondue for Christmas and New Year’s Eves. New Year’s Day brunch would be mostly the same as Christmas but with traditional southern dishes like Hoppin’ John—for good luck and prosperity in the new year—made of black-eyed peas, sausage, ham, bacon, and rice. And it wouldn’t be New Year without collard greens and skillet cornbread; hot wings, pulled pork, and corn and crab chowder.
Even Roy got involved coming up with special drinks they normally didn’t serve— punches and eggnog, cranberry and orange Mimosas, pomegranate Cosmos, Mint Julep, mid-to expensive champagnes, Irish coffees, and hot chocolate for the kids.
Rick was floating on air with the contributions from his staff to make the holidays spectacular. They’d be sure to get repeat business for years to come with the ambiance, food, and drinks planned. And if it was a success, next year he’d open the inn to the public to enjoy their great food and drinks on Christmas and New Year’s.
Jade arranged for a local tourist magazine and local newspapers to take photos and do a story on the inn. Amy worked with her contacts on getting the Charleston newspaper’s holiday section to do a story, too.
Rick felt ecstatic, until he’d look around and think how much Leah would’ve loved it and would’ve decorated the same way as Jade. So, along with his joy came the sadness of Leah gone and his heart grew dark again.
Jade tried not to notice; she didn’t want to get involved in more of Rick’s issues. Mostly, she didn’t want him getting sappy-sentimental and affectionate with her—the holiday mystique that softens the heart for the holiday season then disappears in January.
***
Jade and Gabe were at a local store shopping for a few last decorations she needed. Gabe suggested they buy mistletoe and hang it in the door to the kitchen.
“I am not hanging mistletoe anywhere,” she said. “All we need is to have Rick walk in and catch you and I kissing under it.”
Gabe pictured the scene. “Whoo, he’d go bat-shit crazy.”
“We’d probably both lose our jobs.”
“No way. He wouldn’t like it and he’d hate me. But he adores you, the ‘boss’s girl,’ and he appreciates both of our contributions to his success. All of us working together well is a big asset to a business owner.”
Jade stopped shopping and turned to face him. “True, until he finds out the woman he eventually wants to have a deeper relationship with loves another man…the other of his two key employees.”
Gabe rubbed his forehead. “Man, how true. We need to be very careful.”
“We have been. We are. No one suspects. We act professional at work and no one’s seen us socializing together. No one from work knows where I live or lives in my neighborhood, so no chance of anyone seeing your truck at my cottage overnight.”
“But you never know when someone we know might be in the neighborhood or visiting a friend or family over the holidays.”
Jade looked worried then. “You’re right. How will we pull it off? I don’t have a garage to hide your truck.”
“I’ll park a couple blocks away on the street and walk to your house.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“For a great dinner and wine? Are you kidding?”
She lightly whacked his arm. “Be careful or dinner is all you’ll be getting.”
Gabe grabbed her close to him and nibbled on her earlobe.
“Gabe, stop, we’re in the middle of a store,” she said with short, hot breaths against his neck.
He looked up and down the aisle. “Nobody’s looking,” he whispered while he kissed her lips quickly.
She backed away. “No. We can’t. With our luck someone we know will see us.”
Gabe laughed. “In the ‘One Dollar or Less’ store? I don’t think so and I don’t care.”
Jade bought the decorations and took his hand to walk toward the door. “You better care. There are cameras in here.”
“For shoplifters not booty-lifters or lovers. I’ll bet lots of people kiss in here.”
They looked around at the other shoppers—scruffy college kids shopping probably for dorm rooms and cheap snacks, stressed-out moms getting party supplies and stocking stuffers with their kids screaming and running down the aisles, elderly people buying pet food and complaining the price is too high. Together they burst into laughter and Gabe said, “Ooor, maybe not.”
“Let’s get out of here. I’ll shop for baskets elsewhere without you because I can’t trust you to keep your hands off me, even in a store.”
“Not anywhere,” he said with a sexy grin.
“You and your hot Latin blood will get us in trouble.”
“You know you love it.”
She leaned into him with a side-hug. “I do.”
They separated and walked out the door to the parking lot, he to his truck, she to her car without so much as a word or a glance. Unbeknownst to them, Roy sat in his car waiting for his brother, who lived in the neighborhood, to come out of the store.
He saw Gabe kiss Jade inside the store just before they walked out the outer glass doors. They had laughed and held hands. Once out the door they took off in opposite directions—Pretending to be perfect strangers, Roy thought as he watched them, when what they are is perfect lovers. It’s high time ‘boss-man’ gets his eyes opened to what’s going on behind his back. I’ll wait ‘til after the holidays, though—I don’t wanna make it worse for Rick. What’s another month when I’ve got all this dirt on them that ain’t goin’ nowhere? Hell, if I catch them again, maybe I’ll get pictures. How perfect would that be?
Chapter 23
During Christmas week, the guests raved about the inn, the decorations, and food alike. After the Christmas day’s activities were done, Jade and Gabriel enjoyed a quiet night at her cottage. Exhausted and well-fed from eating leftovers of Gabe’s wonderful food from the Christmas brunch and cocktail hour, they relaxed outside by the fire pit. They wrapped up in heavy sweaters, sat in oversize wicker chairs and sipped wine. Jade had strung lots of lights inside and out and set up candles outside. The sound of the ocean waves in the distance made the scene feel unreal for Gabe, as if this wasn’t his real life. But he wouldn’t let the feeling bother him tonight. He’d enjoy the moment, each moment he had with Jade.
Feeling peace down to his soul and love filling his heart, Gabe handed her a medium-sized gold box. “Merry Christmas. I liked this and thought you would, too.”
Jade beamed at him and ripped it open. It was a necklace—a delicate silver chain holding a brilliant diamond. “Don’t tell me this is a real diamond? I mean, it looks real, it’s gorgeous, but, Gabe you didn’t, did you?”
He leaned across and kissed her lightly, tenderly, then gazed intently as if to see into her soul. “I did, and yes, it’s real—nothing fake for you, my love.”
“You shouldn’t have done this, Gabriel.”
“Yes, I should’ve. Don’t you like it?”
Happiness overflowed inside her streaming down her cheeks as teardrops. “I love it. It’s the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.”
He watched as she tilted it back and forth, catching the glow of the fire, the diamond full of brilliance, the light reflecting and dancing on her face.
“Oh, Gabriel. I love this, and I love you more.” She sat on his lap and kissed him with all the love inside the kiss.
Gabe straightened and ran his hand up and down her leg, his hands trembling.
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” he said, “everything’s right. I keep thinking this thing with you and me is too unbelievable and something will happen to end it.”
Jade held him close and buried her face in the side of his neck. “Together we’re great. What we have is real and true. Nothing will end it.”
His eyes watered. “That’s why I chose this gift for you. Diamonds are forever, right?”
Her smile was as brilliant as the diamond. “Right.”
“And it’s not a ring because I guessed a ring would scare you off,” he said with a chuckle. “Besides, it seems a little too soon. There’s a lot about my life and me you don’t know yet. But I’m willing to share it with you in the future. So, the next best thing is a diamond to wear close to your heart to remind you, even if we’re apart, I love you. Do you know what I’m saying without coming out and saying it?”
She took his glass and set it on the table, then handed him the necklace to fasten around her neck. “I know what you mean, and I say ‘Yes, I will love you forever.’” She stood and pulled him up with her. “Let’s go to bed so you can show me exactly how much you love me, okay?”
“Yes, boss-lady, whatever you want,” and they laughed together.
When he took her to bed and made love to her, it was as a husband to wife, like a soldier returning to his love after years of war, the wars of his past. He knew theirs was the love of a lifetime. He moved within her as if he’d never been there before and just discovered a valuable treasure. His longing was ages-old, his love was of many lifetimes and he handed her his heart with no reservations or limitations.
Jade felt Gabe’s spirit permeate hers taking her on a journey she’d never known, feeling emotions she never had. Her love was liquid, soaking into his skin and his cells, becoming one with him. Every touch was golden, each move perfect, as they dove into another world. Jade sensed their love move into space and time around them creating an unbreakable bond of one life from two.
She knew he felt the same way when, afterward, exhausted but overflowing with love and ecstasy, Gabriel asked her to marry him, someday, when she was ready.
“Don’t think me a hopeless romantic, but the connection we have now feels like a marriage, in spirit and love.”
“I love that you’re romantic,” and he kissed her—a kiss as deep and rhythmic as the ocean, then added, “I feel the same way.”
Leaning into each other’s hearts, they fell asleep embracing their bodies and the dreams of a future together.
In the early morning before Gabe had to report to work, they drank a quick cup of coffee and Jade handed him a box. “Merry Christmas. Open it when you get to work.”
“I was wondering if you got me a present,” he kidded and laughed.
“Of course, I did. We just didn’t get to it last night.”
He kissed her and whispered, “Thank goodness.”
“I agree.” She looked at the box in his hand. “I hope you like it.”
He slid it into his pocket. “I’m so late. I’ll open it later after the breakfast rush when I’m alone so I can savor every minute. Come find me when you have a chance.”
***
Later, after breakfast service, Gabe opened her gift. He pulled it gently out of the box. It was a men’s bracelet made of a black horsehair cord holding a silver plate. The look was masculine and rugged. She had words inscribed on the silver plate: “Living Well.” He turned it over and saw another engraving: “Is the Best Revenge.” Nothing could be more perfect for Gabe.
***
Trying to be discreet, Jade glanced at Gabe from the kitchen door instead of going in. He held up his arm with the bracelet on it and mouthed, “I love it. Perfect. Like you,” and pointed at her. He gave her a thumbs-up. “See you tonight,” then he blew a kiss through the air.
As Gabe finished work in early evening, a violent storm broke out. It sent chills to his core. A powerful intuitive energy moved through him as lightning flashed and guests ran inside to take cover.
He had told Jade he’d go straight to her cottage after work and cook her a nice dinner while he waited for her. He parked his truck two blocks away which was standard procedure now. But as he walked in the rain, something seemed to follow him—not a person, but eyes; something watching him. Gabe pulled his hood up over his head to conceal his face and ran past Jade’s house to a nearby bar. He went in and ordered a drink. The bartender remarked on the nasty night. Gabe replied, “Nothing good about a night like this. Gotta be careful.” The bartender handed him his drink and said, “Yes sir, you better be careful, is right.”
The bartender was Roy’s brother. Roy had told his brother about Gabe and Jade’s secret love relationship and the brother recognized him.
After a couple beers and a half-hour later, Gabe figured it was safe to head to Jade’s house. But as he exited the bar, nothing felt safe. He saw no one tailing him, so he made his way quickly to the cottage and let himself in, peering out the door behind him. No one was walking or standing up or down the street. But on a night like this, a person never knew what hid in the shadows.
The next day, the active storm had subsided, but the sky was socked-in grey, the air was salty and thick with no trace of sun. Gabe had shrugged off his feelings from the night before, and the workday had been uneventful.
It rained hard, though, as Gabe closed up with locking the sliding glass doors leading into the bar area. On his way back to the kitchen, he heard a knock on those same glass doors. Standing alone was a man getting soaked in the rain with no hat or umbrella. He was tall, clean-shaven with a decent haircut and wore an expensive-looking overcoat. His face looked pale and sickly. He doesn’t look homeless or like a down-and-out drug addict. He might be drunk and looking for more to drink. The man jammed his hands in his pockets, looked up and down the beach then peered close to the window. When he saw Gabe in the back, he knocked harder.
What a jerk. I don’t need this at closing time. As Gabe walked closer to the doors, the man put his hands palms up as if to say, ‘Aren’t you going to open the door?’ Closer up, the man’s eyes looked tired and sad, his grimace and frown gave him a haggard look. He was desperate for something with pounding his fist on the glass. Gabe walked to the doors and yelled, “We’re closed. Are you a guest at the inn?” The man said, “I will be tonight. I need a drink first, though. Someone told me the bar was back here and might close soon. Can I get a drink?”
Roy overheard and felt sorry for the guy standing in the rain. Besides, it was the holidays, so he told Gabe to let him in for one drink. The glass on the doors fogged over with the humidity and rain making it hard for Gabe to see the man’s face until he came inside. Once in the door, he brushed himself off and looked right at Gabe while extending his hand to shake. “Thanks, man, I really need a drink.”
A shiver ran down Gabe’s spine when the man spoke. “Don’t thank me.” Gabe nodded toward Roy, “Thank the bartender over there. I wouldn’t have let you in.”
