And the Greatest of These Is Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance Novel (21 page)

She admired Andrew’s decisiveness, but she wasn’t sure he had what it took to back that decisiveness up. Sure, he had changed in the last few weeks, but could someone really change that much that fast?

The double doors down the hall swung open, and Gabi looked over at them. Striding out came Andrew with Antonio wrapped tightly around his neck and body. It occurred to Gabi at that moment that Andrew looked happier than he had since she’d met him.

He never stopped, simply coming right up to her. “Hey, Antonio,” Andrew said, rubbing the child’s back. “There’s someone here to see you. Look, it’s Miss T.”

Antonio allowed himself to be pried away from Andrew’s neck for a second so he could look at her.

She stood and reached over to touch the child. “How are we doing?”

Completely illogically, Andrew smiled at her. “Wonderful.”

Her gaze went to Andrew with concern. “How’s Antonio?”

“He’s going to be fine. Right, Antonio?” However, there was no movement from the tiny form, and Andrew exhaled. It was going to be a long road back. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

The darkness outside surrounded the little red sports car, and Gabi realized just how long they’d been at the detention center. She climbed into the backseat, leaving the front for Antonio though there was no car seat.

“There you go, Big Boy.” Andrew buckled the seatbelt around the child. “We’re going to take Gabi back to the center, and then we’re going to go home and get settled. Okay?”

Antonio sat as though mesmerized, staring at the gadgets and gizmos arrayed in front of him.

The drive back to the center, as far as Gabi could tell, took only seconds. Andrew kept up a running conversation as they drove — pointing out buttons and knobs in the car and describing in detail what each one did in turn. Antonio sat quietly, obviously afraid of making a wrong move, but Gabi noticed he was much more relaxed than when they had left.

“Here we are.” Andrew spun into the lot and parked his car next to hers. “Antonio, I’ll be right back. You be a good boy. Okay?”

Antonio never moved, and Andrew jumped out into the cold to let Gabi out. “Thanks for coming with me,” he said softly as they walked to her car.

“You’re welcome.” She fumbled for her keys. The center was already dark, as was the rest of the world. “Are you two going to be all right tonight?”

“Yeah,” he said with certainty. “We’re going to be just fine. We’ll see you tomorrow?”

“I’ll be here,” she said, nodding and finally getting the courage to smile up at him. Just like that, he quickly he bent and brushed her lips with his.

“You take care of yourself.”

“I will.” She climbed into her car as he stood watching her. “And Andrew?”

“Yeah?”

“Good luck.”

The weights of this new undertaking began to dawn on Andrew as he pulled into the covered parking garage and killed the engine. “Well, this is it, Antonio. Home.”

Antonio’s eyes widened as he took in his new surroundings.

“Let’s go get you settled.”

It was obvious that Antonio understood he was staying with Andrew for a while. However, Andrew couldn’t tell if the little boy really knew the extent of what had transpired that afternoon and evening. Together, they went up the steps, and he unlocked the apartment and clicked on the light.

“It’s not much, but it’s home.” Tossing his keys on the table, Andrew took off his jacket. “Are you hungry? … Of course you are. … Let’s see. … We’ve got ham and some cheese … and I don’t think this bread is too old. Maybe we’ll make some sandwiches. How would that be?”

Antonio just watched him from five feet away — obviously trying to figure out what was going on.

“Maybe tomorrow you can go with me to the store, and we’ll pick out some other things to eat. Although I have to warn you, I’m not a very good cook.” Coming back into the little living area, Andrew grabbed the remote. “Here, why don’t you sit over here on the sofa, and you can watch some TV?”

He clicked the television on and surfed the channels until he found an old sitcom. Slowly Antonio took a seat on the couch, but Andrew noticed that he never took his eyes off him. So, he just kept up the one-man conversation talking until he no longer knew what he was even talking about.

“Hey, Bry,” Andrew said softly into the phone as he watched the sleeping little boy curled in the warm blankets on the pull out bed in the office. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, I’m still up. What’s up?”

Andrew exhaled slowly. “You’re not going to believe this one.”

“Gabi, I tried to call you last night,” Jerry said the second he saw her in his doorway the next morning. “It’s incredible! After the two of you left, our phone rang off the hook. So far we’ve got $45,000 pledged. Can you believe that? It’s our miracle come true.” Then he stopped and looked at her with growing concern. “Gabi? What’s wrong?”

Slowly, as if not on her own power, she walked into his office and sat down in the chair.

“What? What is it? What’s wrong?”

Gabi shook her head and laughed sarcastically. “Andrew’s adopting Antonio.”

“He’s what?”

She looked at him, challenging him to make sense of this for her because she’d been trying all night, and it still really didn’t seem real. “You heard me. We went to the detention center yesterday, and they were shipping him off, and...”

“Adopting? Is he crazy?”

What could she say? “Apparently.”

“Does he know what he’s getting into?”

“I doubt it, but you know Andrew, he doesn’t do anything halfway. Antonio seemed happy about it though.”

Jerry sat back in his chair in shock. “Adopting?”

“Hey, Mr. Magoo,” Andrew said the next morning as he cheerfully pulled the covers from the sleeping child. “It’s time to get up. We’re going to be late for work.”

Antonio rolled over and opened his eyes, and Andrew could’ve sworn he saw a tiny smile.

The children around her were shrieking in excitement, but Gabi barely noticed. The only thing she could concentrate on was the door, and the absence of Andrew and Antonio. It wasn’t like he had a regular time to be here, but he had never been this late either. What if something had happened to them? What if they’d had a wreck? What if...? What if...? The what if’s ran through her head like wildfire, and no amount of scolding from her rational side slowed them down.

Andrew wasn’t ready for this. Maybe he’d decided that last night. Maybe he’d taken Antonio back today. Maybe...

At that moment, she saw the blue of Andrew’s coat through the pane, and she was at the door before he could even open it.

“Good morning,” she said, trying to hide the worry, but she wasn’t sure how well that worked. “Are you two okay?”

Andrew smiled as he led Antonio into the room. “Yeah. It takes longer to get two people ready than one. Did you know that?” Andrew bent and helped Antonio out of his tattered coat. “Antonio, why don’t you go over and play with the others?”

There was a tiny pause, and then the child crossed the room to where the others were playing.

Gabi watched him for a long minute. “How is everything — seriously?”

“It really is great. Different. But great,” he said and smiled at the worry in her eyes. “Why? Did you think something happened to us?”

“No.” She wished she could sound nonchalant as she walked back over to her desk, but her heart was dragging her in other directions. “I was just wondering.”

“Oh,” he said clearly not believing a word she said, “well, we had to stop for breakfast. I forgot kids can’t go on coffee and bagels. And then we had to get a car seat. That took a little longer than I’d thought it would.”

“Oh, I understand.” Gabi straightened the papers on her desk in an attempt to look busy and preoccupied, which she totally wasn’t at all. It was just all she could think to do other than throwing her arms around him and declaring her undying love for him. “I think it’s time to color.”

“Great.”

Jerry showed up at her door just before lunch.

“May I speak with the two of you a moment?” he asked, and his tone was serious and grave. They exchanged glances and crossed the room to the door.

Gabi went out first, and when Andrew came out and pulled the door almost to, he shadowed her so closely she could smell his cologne and feel the heat of his body. This was getting worse. She anchored her arms across her middle. “What’s up, Jerr?”

“Well, I just thought you two would like to be the first to know. Mr. Jacobs just called. He’s onboard with $8,000,” Jerry said, and now it was obvious his tone was holding excitement rather than dread.

“$8,000? That’s terrific.” Behind her, Andrew nodded. “Bryan told me last night they’re in for ten.”

“Ten? You’re kidding,” Jerry said in disbelief, and then he grinned so wide Gabi didn’t know how his face stayed together. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

“It means we found our miracle,” Gabi said, her heart bursting at the seams as she glanced back at the man who had changed everything in her life, “and his name is Andrew Clark.”

However, Andrew stared at them, puzzled. “Miracle? What miracle?”

“You did it.” Jerry nodded as he reached past Gabi to shake Andrew’s hand. “The center’s back in the black.”

“The black? What? But how?”

“We were up to $55,000 early this morning,” Jerry said. “After you left yesterday, several of the other businesses called in their pledges. And with these last two, we’re now officially over the $75,000 mark. Thanks to you.”

“You did it.” Gabi smiled at him with pride. She reached up and gave him a quick hug. “I’m proud of you.”

“I… Wow.”

“Well, I’d better let you two get back to the kids,” Jerry said, smiling at them. He turned to head back down the hallway. “Oh, Andrew, before I forget. Congratulations. I think you’ll make a great father.”

And then he left.

Not being able to contain her excitement, Gabi snuck under his arm once again. “Way to go. You did it.”

“I can’t believe it,” he said, holding her to him in amazement. “I never imagined we’d do it that fast.”

“I don’t put anything past you anymore,” she said teasingly coming partially out of the hug and putting her hand on his chest. Then, as she looked up at him, she grew serious. “You did good, Andrew. Really. We never could have done it without you.”

“I’m glad I could be of service,” he said with an embarrassed smile. His eyes said he wanted to do so much more, but at the last second, his expression changed, and he yanked his gaze back into the classroom. “I think it’s time we get these kids ready for lunch, I’m starved.”

She laughed. “Some things never change.”

Sleeping children lay scattered about the room, and Andrew sat at the big-people desk busily making notes on his reporter pad.

“Big story?” Gabi whispered, looking up from her own work.

“No, I’m trying to figure out everything I need to get tonight when we go shopping.” Andrew never looked up from his list. “Do you think roast is all right to eat for supper? Or do kids like that stuff?”

The thought of Andrew cooking crossed her mind, and she stifled the giggle. “I’m sure whatever you cook will be just fine.”

“Yeah, but that’s just it.” He looked over his list. “I don’t cook. I mostly go for take-out, fast food, stuff like that. But I know that’s not great for a kid.”

“How about chicken?”

“I have that, and hamburger, and fish,” Andrew said, wrinkling his nose. “I was thinking about getting him a new coat and some new clothes too. What size do you think he wears?”

“I don’t know.” Gabi didn’t do clothing sizes and fashion. “Why don’t you have him try the stuff on at the stores?”

“Good idea.” He wrote something in his notebook. “Hey, I just had a thought.”

She arched one dark eyebrow. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“Just hear me out. Why don’t you come with us tonight? I’m sure Antonio won’t mind, and I could sure use the help,” Andrew said, looking at her hopefully. How could she say no to those gorgeous green eyes? He grinned at her. “I’ll even buy you supper. Come on, what do you say?”

Gabi rolled her eyes. “Okay, but I have to be home by nine.”

“Deal.”

The mall was more crowded than she’d expected for a Wednesday night. This wasn’t a usual hang-out for her. In fact, except for the center, the church, and the park occasionally, her apartment was about the only place she ever went. However, her amazement at the place paled in comparison to Antonio’s. He clutched Andrew’s hand for dear life as he surveyed the enormous walkway stacked wall-to-wall with people.

“What do you think we should tackle first?” Andrew looked at Gabi for guidance, which she thought was rather ironic considering he’d probably been here ten times more than she ever had, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.

“Why don’t we go to one of the department stores? Surely we can find something there.”

They found the children’s corner in the first store they came to, and the real shopping began. At first Antonio looked petrified at the idea of changing his clothes in the dressing room, but in no time Andrew was in with him talking non-stop.

Gabi listened outside and tried not to laugh. Andrew could be really, really off-the-wall if he wanted to, and it seemed that his brand of humor was exactly what Antonio needed. By the time Antonio emerged with the first outfit on, he looked every bit the GQ model-type.

“What do you think?” Andrew spun Antonio in front of her. “Too much?”

“No, I think it’s darling,” Gabi said.

“Darling?” Andrew wrinkled his nose. “Not quite what we were going for. Huh, Antonio? Dashing. Handsome. Debonair. That would be better.”

Gabi laughed. “Oh, all of those and so much more.”

“Seriously, do you think there’s enough growing room left, or should we get a size bigger?” Andrew asked.

“I don’t know.” She had enough trouble picking out clothes for herself. Picking them out for someone else was not a skill she’d ever thought she’d need. Slowly, she knelt on the floor by Antonio and pulled at the waist of the jeans, inspecting and trying to decide the best answer to Andrew’s question. “I think they’re okay.”

“Cool.” He spun Antonio one more time, and a tiny giggle escaped the little boy’s throat. “Let’s go try something else on.”

They disappeared into the dressing room, and Gabi sat back down wondering just when her life had changed so drastically. Where had the old Gabi disappeared to? The Gabi that didn’t want to get too attached to anything or anyone — not in her personal life anyway. The Gabi that went home to an empty apartment every night after work and liked it like that. Somewhere along the way, that Gabi had ceased to exist, and this one had taken her place.

“Look out world, hold on to your hats, it’s the stupendous, the incredible, the one, the only Antonio… Walls,” Andrew called from the dressing room as he swung the door open.

Gabi laughed. He was crazy.

Two hours and more dollars than she could count later, they were headed back to her car at the center.

“I think Antonio’s going to make a great Power Ranger,” Andrew asked as he drove slowly through the streets. “What do you think?”

“Yeah,” she agreed, smiling. “I think Antonio is one lucky little boy.”

“I think he’s asleep.” Andrew glanced over at the small child in the passenger’s seat.

“He’s had a big night,” she said from the back quietly. “It’s time for little boys to be in bed.”

“Yeah, I guess I’m going to have to get used to getting home earlier. There’s a lot of new stuff to get used to,” Andrew said, suddenly sounding very tired.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m great,” he said, looking at her in the mirror. “This just all happened so fast, you know? It’s going to take some getting used to.”

“Well, you’re doing great,” she said as he pulled up next to her car. Her heart was falling farther into love every time they were together like this, and she knew that presented dangers untold. He got out and helped her from the car as she unfolded herself from the backseat.

Walking with her, he put his hands on his beltline. “Do you really think so?”

“Yeah, I really do. Antonio is very lucky to have gotten you,” she said, her voice still soft as if she didn’t want to wake the sleeping child they had left in the car. “Hang in there. It’ll get easier.”

“Thanks for going with us. It was fun.” Looking down at her, he ran his fingers through his hair.

“I thought so, too,” she said, leaning against her unlocked door and daring a glance up at him. At that moment, her heart tripped over itself as he looked down into her eyes and stopped in a breath. It seemed as she gazed into the depths of his eyes that she could see forever and beyond, and suddenly she couldn’t breathe.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he finally asked softly.

“Bright and early,” she replied, forcing a smile as the words barely managed to squeeze themselves past her heart.

Then, slowly he put his hand on the car next to her and leaned in to close the gap between them. The heat of his lips on hers startled something deep inside her, and for a second her heart actually stopped. His fingers came up and twined through the hair at her neck as he pulled her even closer, loving her with his lips in a way she had forgotten was possible. But then as quickly as it had happened, he straightened again, going backward and away from her, and suddenly she felt very cold. “Take care, Miss Gabriella Treyvillion.”