It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long (8 page)

“However did you manage this?”

Gabe winked at Josh. “I threatened to remove their tonsils if they made a peep.”

Josh opened the door. “Can we go now, Mom? I’m real hungry.”

Bursting into her fourth round of tears since waking from her too-short nap, Emma squeezed Mr. Bear to her chest. “Mr. Bear will be lonely here all by himself.”

“Do you mind, Gabe?”

“I suppose we could at least let him ride in the car with us. I have a blanket in the trunk. While we’re in the restaurant, he can take a nap. Is that okay, Emma?”

She put her ear to Mr. Bear’s makeshift mouth. “He says that’s a good idea.”

The four, plus Mr. Bear, piled into Gabe’s Volvo. Dorie pinged her head. “Car seats!”

Gabe huffed. “I’ll grab them from your backseat.”

Might be a simple thing to change the car seats around, but she’d forgotten them once before at great inconvenience to get them back. “No. Let’s take my car.”

“Yours? It’s not too trustworthy from what your father says.”

Anger rose. He had no right to condemn Devon’s car. “Don’t be so quick to judge a car simply because it’s old.”

“North Country winters are hard on old batteries.”

This conversation needed to end. “I don’t feel comfortable moving the car seats around. My parents keep a set in their car.”

“Guess I’ll have to do the same if this relationship is going anywhere.”

“Relationship? Wait a minute—”

Emma giggled. “Mommy, what’s a relationship?”

Dorie flashed Gabe a be-careful-what-you-say-in-front-of-the-kids frown. “It means two people are friends, sweetie.”

“Dr. Wellington should be your friend, Mommy. Mr. Bear is my good friend.” Emma gave Mr. Bear a hard squeeze. White stuffing puffed from his leg.

Gabe led the way to Dorie’s car. Josh and Emma scrambled into their car seats, and Dorie fastened them in. Gabe opened Dorie’s door and started to get in. “I’ll drive.”

“No, I can handle it.”

“Suit yourself.” He got in on the passenger side and folded his arms across his chest. Dorie buckled herself in, then pulled out her keys from her purse.

“Mom, you forgot Boomer,” Josh said. “You always forget him.”

She unlatched her seatbelt. “I’m sorry, Gabe. I have to bring the dog in. I’ll only be a few seconds.”

He scowled. Could be he didn’t like dogs.

Dorie stuffed the keys into her coat pocket and ran into the backyard where Boomer romped in rhythm to her jitters. She shooed him into the house through the back door. She probably should have put him in the cellar, but Gabe had waited long enough. “We won’t be long, Boomer. Behave yourself.”

He retorted with a whine, then plopped onto his doggy bed in the corner of the kitchen.

Silence reigned when Dorie returned to the car. The motor sang like a nightingale when she turned the ignition. Was it wrong to feel so self-righteous? “Where am I taking us?”

“The Pines on Fuller Road. Do you know how to get there?”

“I had dinner there with Mom and Dad last month. You go down Main until you get to Route 47, then turn left at the Antique Barn.”

“Well, that’s as good a way as any I suppose. I normally take the back roads, but that’ll get us there.”

As Dorie eased the car out of the driveway, Emma screamed. Dorie slammed on the brakes, pitching everyone forward. Gabe’s head grazed the dashboard. “That’ll teach me not to buckle up.”

Emma’s sobs echoed throughout the car. “Mr. Bear fell down. I think he’s hurt.”

Rubbing his head, Gabe got out of the car and opened Emma’s door, retrieving Mr. Bear from the floorboard. “So happens I always carry a stethoscope in my jacket pocket in case of an emergency like this.” He moved the stethoscope around Mr. Bear’s chest. “And I’m happy to say Mr. Bear is fine. Now hold on extra tight so he doesn’t fall again. I’d hate to miss dinner because I had to stop and put a cast on his leg.”

Emma kissed Mr. Bear on the top of his head. “Now you be careful, Mr. Bear.”

They arrived at The Pines without any further injury to Mr. Bear, although Josh seemed unusually quiet.

“Mr. Bear doesn’t have a blanket in our car, Mommy,” Emma said. “He can’t take a nap.”

Was there any hope for the evening? She shot Gabe a plea. “I know it’s not polite to bring a stuffed animal into a nice restaurant, but she’ll self-destruct if we have to leave Mr. Bear in the car.”

“Do I have a choice?” Gabe led the way behind the waiter, who seated their group at a table for six under the chandelier, then handed Gabe two menus. Some people said kids behave better when dressed up. Must be true since hers settled into their chairs with the grace and gentility of a lord and lady.

When the waitress came over, Gabe set down the menus. “We’ll have rib-eye steaks all around. The lady will have decaf mocha latte, and I’ll have decaf regular blend with cream.”

“And what will the children have?”

“Milk.”

Lord Fitzgerald banged the table with his fist. “I hate milk.”

The six-year-old returns
. “You have milk for supper every night. And you know better than to slam the table like that, young man.”

“I hate
their
milk.”

“You’ve never tasted their milk.” Dorie grabbed Josh’s shoulders. “I don’t want to hear another word of complaint. Do you understand?”

He nodded with bugged eyes. Before Dorie could lean back into her chair, Emma tipped over her water glass. Dorie snatched their cloth napkins, sopped up the excess water, and swept the ice cubes back into the glass while Emma screamed.

Gabe’s cheeks bulged. “Now what’s wrong?”

So he was human after all. “She’s scared.”

“Of water?”

“She’s afraid she won’t get any more. She’s only three, Gabe.” Dorie stroked Emma’s hair. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll ask the waiter to bring you another glass.”

“Better ask for it only half full.”

“You’ve never tipped over a glass before? Accidents happen, Gabe. Even to surgeons.”

“I’m sorry. It was a bad joke.” Gabe raised Dorie’s chin. “Look, I adore your kids. And I adore you.”

Josh’s lip curled like the sinister gunslinger in a bad Western. Gabe returned the snarl with one of his own, inviting a showdown.

You’re moving way too fast, Gabe
. She’d get through this night. Tomorrow, she would end this thing between them, whatever this thing might be.

A breeze from an open window stirred the curtains near their table, and Dorie felt as if she heard Devon say: “Is he the one you’ve chosen to take my place?”

“No one can take your place, my darling.”

“Pardon me?”

You really need to stop talking to yourself, Dorie.

“I said that this is a nice place.” Dorie tested her checks with the back of her hand. Warm, and probably as scarlet as the table napkins. The conversation changed to the weather as Emma’s sirens softened to mere sobs. When the steaks arrived, she let out a mischievous giggle. “Grandma Perkins said that steaks are good for black eyes.” Before Dorie could stop Emma, she reached across the table, grabbed Gabe’s sizzling hunk of meat and used it as an eye patch, screeching as the hot grease dripped down her face.

“Emma!” Dorie snatched the steak and threw it onto Emma’s plate. “Let me look at you, sweetie.” Greasy, but probably not burnt.

“I’m sorry, Gabe. I thought the kids could handle this. Obviously, they’re not used to eating out, let alone in a nice place like this. I’m afraid they’ve ruined your evening along with your delicious steak.”

Gabe took his rib eye from Emma’s plate and slopped it onto his own plate. He stabbed his meat as if in defiance of the moment, sliced off a piece European style, and chomped. Don’t worry about it. Extra flavoring. He took another bite as if adding a period to his proclamation.”

Dorie rubbed the juice off Emma’s cheek with a clean napkin. “I don’t think it burned her.”

“To make sure, better take her to the bathroom and rinse her eye.”

Dorie took Emma’s hand. “Josh, you stay here with Dr. Wellington while I take care of Emma.”

“I don’t want to.”

Gabe slapped his napkin on the table. “Look, mister. Mind your mother. Now stuff your mouth with your dinner instead of using it for backtalk.”

Dorie hesitated. Should she leave Josh alone with Gabe? Josh gulped his food and seemed unscathed. When she returned with Emma, Josh had finished most of his dinner and sat rigidly against the back of the chair. Dorie eyed both Josh and Gabe. “Any more trouble?”

Gabe looked in Josh’s direction. “Nope. We’ve come to an understanding.”

Sass and tears faded as Gabe’s tone lightened. He told jokes and sang silly songs, a minstrel on his stage. They laughed and giggled their way through the remaining meal, even enjoying Black Forest cake for dessert.

Both Emma and Josh had fallen asleep by the time Dorie pulled into her driveway. Gabe hopped out before Dorie slipped the transmission into park. “Need help getting the kids in?”

“No. You’re welcome to come in while I’m putting them to bed.”

“I should get going. I have to do a colostomy reversal first thing in the morning.”

“I understand.” She didn’t, though, since there was still a lot of evening left.

Gabe headed toward his Volvo. “See you at rehearsal tomorrow night.”

Dorie roused Josh out of his stupor and pointed him toward the house. Then she put Emma on her shoulder and closed the car doors. “Goodnight, Gabe. Thanks for dinner.”

“My pleasure.”

With that, the date ended.

Gabe got into his car and drove off without even an attempt at a goodnight kiss. Once inside, Dorie pulled off Emma’s coat, carried her upstairs behind the plodding Josh, and tucked her into bed. By the time she made it to Josh’s room, he’d already gone back to sleep. She covered him up, brushing a quick kiss on his cheek.

Downstairs Dorie opened a pint of double-chocolate-brownie ice cream from the freezer, grabbed a Cinderella soup spoon out of the silverware drawer, and dug in. So what if the handsome Dr. Wellington didn’t think Dorie Fitzgerald worthy of a third date. So what if her first post-Devon romantic episode ended before it started. Double-chocolate-brownie ice cream never failed to lessen a disappointment.

Like Scarlet O’Hara, she shrugged it off. “After all, tomorrow is another day.”

Chapter Eleven

Jamey’s sixth sense told him something was very wrong. Neither Gabe nor Dorie had shown for Monday’s rehearsal yet. Odd that they’d both be late.

He approached Danny Riley. “Any word from our missing cast members?”

Danny raised his brows. “You two men need to settle this outside of practice. Theatre romances are common, but I’d rather not deal with a love triangle.”

“Curious is all.”

“Gabe’s office called. He had an emergency. Dorie called and said she didn’t feel well. That’s all I know.”

Jamey muddled through rehearsal, distracted by thoughts of an irresistible woman. Gabe seemed equally enthralled with Dorie. Would he finally settle down? Not likely. Jamey could count on one hand the number of girls Gabe had dated more than twice. He’d dumped every available girl in Midville by now. Dorie had hitched a ride on a train speeding toward Heartbreak City.

Should I warn her?

Not that Jamey offered anything better. Gabe’s reputation suited him. He wore his bachelor persona like a challenge. Women flocked to him and the attention boosted his fragile ego. Jamey’s friends described him as a brooding loner. Not that he minded the rep of a brooding loner. Except for Evie, few women bothered to flirt with him. That was fine by him—less likelihood of entrapment. So why did Dorie’s name ring through his mind like a haunting melody?

Aunt Gillian waved and crossed the room. “There you are, Jamey. I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything short of a loan. I’m low on cash flow at the moment.”

Her whole body jiggled with her laugh. “Can you help with the play I’m directing for the Midville Community Church?”

“I’m swamped right now—”

“You’ve met Dorie, right? I’ve cast her son, Josh, as Amahl. I was hoping you might coach him.”

An opportunity or a temptation?

Chapter Twelve

Midweek already. Dorie managed to worm out of Monday’s practice, but she’d have to face Gabe soon or quit the play. She checked The Weather Channel for any hope rehearsal would be cancelled.

Just her luck—they predicted above-average November temperatures and not a cloud in the sky. Besides, Josh was looking forward to rehearsal tonight. Dorie rinsed the dinner plates while the kids started
The Little Mermaid
.

Mom arrived fifteen minutes early. “I’ll do the dishes, Dorie. Why don’t you sit with me a minute? We haven’t talked in a few days.”

No, they hadn’t. Not since that heated conversation regarding one Dr. Gabriel Wellington. Dorie grabbed a soda from the fridge. Anything to keep her hands busy. She’d already downed a whole pot of coffee by herself.

“You seem fidgety tonight,” Mom said. “Too much caffeine or is something bothering you?”

“Josh is excited about rehearsal. I’d rather not go.”

“Does this have anything to do with Dr. Wellington?”

Dorie popped the tab. “How did you know?”

“Mothers sense these things. I’m not surprised. I told you—”

“Yeah. I know. You warned me. Gabe’s not reliable. The kids acted up at The Pines, but kids are kids. It’s funny. During dinner I thought I would tell him we shouldn’t see each other anymore. Then he left before I could say anything at all. You would think I’d be glad he hasn’t called, but I feel—”

“Rejected?”

“Yeah.”

Mom rose and served herself a glass of water. As always, she found a menial task when silence became awkward or she wanted time to order her words. “I don’t abide gossip, Dorie, but I think you should know that Gabe has been engaged before. It was last year, to a woman with three children. When they broke off the engagement, he told his mother that he and his fiancée wanted different things in life.”

“That’s the one serious relationship you told me about?”

Mom nodded.

“And you don’t think he told his mother the real reason his engagement ended?”