First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) (9 page)

With a plan in mind, they now eagerly jumped into the car. Even though she had invited him, she couldn’t help but feel nervous about her decision. “I love Rebecca and Konnor,” she began slowly. “I can’t just dump them because I have a man in my life. I refuse to be that kind of mom. Can you accept that?” She anxiously waited for his response.

Gabriel inhaled deeply before sighing happily. “It will just give me more people to grow to love,” he replied, reaching over and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. The butterflies in her belly came to life.

They pulled up the long gravel driveway to her barn. For the first time, Isabella viewed her home critically, trying to see it through his eyes. The cement sidewalk was nestled between lines of hostas in full bloom, bearing stalks of purple flowers as tall as Konnor. On either side of the steps were her terra cotta pots filled with pink impatiens, purple pansies, delicate champagne tea roses, and vinca vines trailing down all sides. Her Adirondack chairs graced either side of the porch, while a small square glass topped table sat between the duplex doors, holding miniature yellow daisies. The four square stone pots of citronella candles on each corner of the porch remained unlit. To her it looked homey. Would he see the same?

“This is where you live?” He looked at her with excitement. “It looks just like what I would have imagined. Did you do all this?” He gestured around at the flowers gracing the front of the place.

Scrunching up her face, Isabella questioned him. “You imagined I lived in a converted barn?”

He threw his head back and laughed. “No. I imagined anywhere you lived would be homey and welcoming.”

Isabella nodded and blushed. He followed her to the door, opened it and held it for her. When they enter her living room, they found Jane settled into the rocking chair, watching a movie. Rebecca lay asleep on the couch. She looked like an angel with her mass of shoulder length brown hair radiating out from around her little head. Her long dark eyelashes were visibly apparent, despite her tan, and her tiny rosebud lips were slightly parted.

The minute Gabriel saw her lying there, he crossed the room to squat by her side and study her. “Oh,” he cried, “she is even more beautiful than I imagined. She looks so much like her mother.” He smiled and nodded at Jane, who sat temporarily paralyzed by his presence.

Gabriel slowly walked over to the doorway where Isabella lingered, watching him and studying his every move. She tried to see if his reaction was genuine, or if he simply performed as he believed she expected. His facial expressions seemed real. She gradually relaxed.

He took Isabella’s hand in his and asked, “So, may I meet Konnor?”

Taking the lead, she began to walk up the stairs, painfully aware of his proximity as he followed behind her. As they reached Konnor’s room on the second landing, they found him asleep with his back to them. Gabriel relinquished her hand to walk to the other side of Konnor’s bed. He knelt down next to him so he could see the little boy’s face, study his delicate features. Even though almost identical to his sister, Konnor looked like an obvious boy. Gabriel stared at him with a tender smile on his face, then slowly reached out to rub his back.

Standing once more, he wandered back to where Isabella leaned against the door casing. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her close, and said, “I think I love your children already.”

They paused on the second floor landing. Gabriel looked up the stairs, eyeing the third floor. “Your bedroom, I presume?” Isabella nodded, weakly. “Do I get the grand tour?” He whispered these words into her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine.

Shyly, Isabella walked him up the last flight of stairs. She had always been proud of her room. In the center of the far wall stood her four-poster bed with leaves and vines carved into the wood. The comforter and curtains were a clean white, like the fine hotel rooms she had admired. It gave the room a bright and airy feel.

How would Gabriel react to this room?  He studied every aspect of Isabella’s personal space. He walked into the bathroom, returned to the vast bedroom, jokingly pressed his hands down upon the mattress as though to test the springs. When he looked up, he seemed to realize how uncomfortable Isabella looked, so he simply said, “This is an amazing room, Bella. It definitely reflects you.” Then, he gave her a quick hug and a peck on the head, as he pulled her toward the stairs. Then they descended with their hands entwined.

“Jane, I’m just going to drop off Gabriel then I’ll be home, okay?” Isabella waited for Jane’s response. Jane managed a wide-eyed nod. Isabella knew precisely how she felt. Jane now wore the same look Isabella must have worn when she realized months ago Gabriel wanted to get to know her.

They drove back to the coffee shop where he’d left his vehicle. Carefully, he leaned over, bridging the gap between them. “Thank you for sharing your home and kids with me.” The sparkle in his eyes mesmerized her. Finally, he leaned further and brushed his lips along the side of her face. “One day, I’m going to properly kiss you.”

“What?  None of those other kisses have counted?” She smiled at him, her heart racing as she imagined what his idea of a proper kiss might entail.

He paused at her ear, where he whispered almost inaudibly, “They all count, Bella. Only...when we finally have that kiss, you’ll know. And neither one of us will ever forget it.” He squeezed her hand as he stepped from the car. Before shutting the door, he leaned in and said, “I’ll call and tuck you in.” Then he smiled, shut the door, and walked confidently to his car.

His words distracted her so, Isabella barely knew how she made it home. Once inside, she paid Jane, shoved her out the door, and carried Rebecca to her bed. As quickly as possible, and giggle to herself, she stripped down and dove into bed when the phone rang.

“Hello, Gabriel,” she murmured happily.

He sighed. “Hello, beautiful one. Now that I know where you live, I can picture you in your bed. I love that.” Gabriel paused for a moment. “I have something very important to ask you,” he began seriously.

Uh oh
, Isabella thought, but aloud she responded tentatively. “Okay.”

“How about if you come to Montreal for the weekend?  Do you think Jack can take the kids?”

Isabella burst with excitement, but tried to hide it by saying simply, “I think I can work something out.”

“We can go dancing, stay at my father’s house…” He was silent for a moment. “I’d really just like to spend an entire weekend with you.”

“Where I will sleep?” She held her breath anxiously while she awaited a response.

“Well...we have a guest wing you could stay in, if you wish.” He paused. “Or, if you would be more comfortable...you could stay with me in my room.”

“With you?” Isabella’s heart pounded fiercely in her chest, a combination of fear and anticipation.

“We have all the time in the world, Bella. I won’t rush you if you aren’t ready.” He spoke in a low voice. “I just want to be close to you.”

“I want to be close to you too.” Her heart raced as she thought about it. “This time, I’d like you to be aware of it.” She laughed quietly.

He sighed. “I feel completely robbed. I spent a night naked in bed with you and I remember nothing. Never again. I promise.”

“I believe you.”

“Until then, my Bella. Sweet dreams.”

Chapter Eight

Isabella

The next few days were absolute torture. Isabella refused to allow herself to become too excited until she saw the plans come to fruition. She had spent years having her hopes and dreams dashed. Dreams. Crap. She’d all but forgotten her looming gallery show. Dr. Pam told her to dream again. Finally, she had so much to dream about. So much had transpired in the last three and a half months.

The week seemed to drag by. Isabella could count on phone calls and messages from Gabriel, but she had a terrible time filling these lazy summer days. Thankfully, Jessie invited them over to swim in the pool Thursday after work.

“I’m supposed to be going to Montreal tomorrow,” Isabella mentioned casually to Jessie as they sat on the edge of the pool, dangling their feet in the cool water while the kids splashed around in the shallow end.

Jessie paused. “You’re just telling me this now?” Then her face opened into a wide smile.

Isabella hung her head. “I’m afraid to tell anyone. It’s like jinxing it. I fear that it won’t happen if I say anything.” She had never been so nervous and excited in all her life.

“You’ll go and it will be fabulous,” Jessie exclaimed with confidence. Then as an afterthought, “What’s happening with the kids?”

Isabella smiled impishly, “Jack.”

Jessie threw her head back in laughter. “Jack’s taking care of the kids while you go off and have fun?  That’s a switch.

With everything she needed to accomplish, Isabella took Friday off from the studio. Early in the morning, she began to pack. Since Gabriel would be picking her up at four o’clock, Jack agreed to claim the kids at three thirty. At noon, just before she was ready to call the kids in for lunch, the phone rang.

Gabriel’s voice on the other end of the line sounded hurried. “Isabella,” he said briskly, “I have to change our plans. I won’t be bringing you to Montreal for the weekend.” He paused for a reaction.

Isabella was shattered. It felt as though everything in her world had come to a crashing halt. This was pretty much all her fears coming to fruition. “I understand,” she finally managed, desperate to hide her disappointment. “Do you have time to talk, or do you have too much going on right now?” She wanted to hear he would always have time for her, that he still cared about her, and he’d make it up to her as soon as possible.

Instead, Gabriel said none of those things. “Well. I wish I could talk longer. I have so much to tell you, but I have about a hundred things to get done in the next three hours. I’ll explain next time, okay?” He sounded out of breath, as though he might be running around even as they spoke. “I’ll talk to you soon, beautiful one. Goodbye.”

The phone clicked before Isabella even had a chance to say goodbye. Obviously he understood nothing about women and their need for closure. She looked at the neat piles of laundry she had prepared for various suitcases and duffle bags. With one arm, she swept the clothes from the kitchen table into the laundry basket she held, then walked upstairs to refold and put them into their respective drawers. She emptied her suitcase wordlessly, breathing deeply, and blinking back bitter tears of disappointment.

Don’t ever let them see you cry
, she repeated to herself, as she paced her bedroom. Through the open window she could hear the sounds of her children playing happily outside. Inside, she noticed the mechanical hum of the dryer. Life went on. At last she went happily numb.
There will always be work to do around here
, she thought calmly to herself.
I need to keep busy
.

One terrible thought occurred to her.
I have to call Jack
, she whimpered to herself. Isabella decided to put off calling him as long as possible. After making a quick mental list, she prepared to work on one task or another until bedtime. Maybe if she worked hard enough it wouldn’t hurt so much to crawl into bed alone, instead of spending the night snuggled against Gabriel.

Around five thirty, Isabella realized she had forgotten to call Jack, but since he never arrived to collect the kids, she decided not to bother. Instead, she focused on starting the grill for the chicken she had started marinating when her plans were canceled.

At six o’clock, the doorbell rang. Wiping her hands on the refrigerator towel, Isabella prepared to answer it. As she reached for the door and opened it, a single white rose was thrust in her face. She laughed, “What’s this?”

Gabriel peeked around the door sheepishly. “Well, look at this as my white flag. I surrender,” he said solemnly, one hand over his heart.

Isabella smiled widely. “You surrender?  To me?  I accept.” With a sweeping gesture, she beckoned Gabriel inside. He entered carrying an overnight bag, a bottle of wine, and a movie. “What’s with the bag?”

“I hope I’m not being too presumptuous,” he explained. “I was working with my father on some business earlier, which is why we didn’t keep our original plans. I finished sooner than I imagined.” He reached out and took her hand. “I just wanted to stay here with you and the kids tonight, but I’ll leave if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Before Isabella could respond, Rebecca came running in the back door screaming, “Mom!  There’s a car here!” She stopped in her tracks the minute she saw Gabriel in the living room. Isabella held her breath nervously. She watched as Rebecca studied him suspiciously for a moment before speaking.

“Oh. Is that your car?” Gabriel nodded with a lighthearted smile on his face. Rebecca tipped her head to the side as she asked, “Are you the one Mom keeps going to see at night after we’re in bed?”

Squatting at her level, Gabriel exclaimed, “Whew!  Your mom is right. You don’t miss much, Rebecca.” He smiled warmly at her. “I thought it was time for me to get to know you and Konnor some. Is that okay?”

“Sure.” Rebecca smiled. “Did mommy tell you I’m going to be five next Saturday?”

A smile spread across Gabriel’s face. “No, she didn’t mention it. Are you having a party?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Not this year. We’re keeping it low-key, whatever that means.” She shrugged.

“It means mommy can’t stomach a party with the Parkers,” Isabella muttered almost inaudibly under her breath.

Gabriel winked at her. “Makes perfect sense.” Still, he tilted his head as though he were thinking about something, but he never shared it with her.

Though she had her reservations, Isabella let the night play out. They ate on the patio. She gave the kids a bath while he cleaned up. She wanted an indication as to how he would handle the monotony of everyday life. She needed to see he could be happy having two children around all the time, demanding attention, requiring assistance, and sharing her love. Through it all, Gabriel held up nicely. He even volunteered to tell them stories before bed.

Even Konnor, who usually feared strangers, eagerly found a special place in Gabriel’s lap. The stories were fairy tales of a most exotic nature. Gabriel told them about his family, growing up abroad, places he had traveled to, where he still wished to go. The kids relished his attention and his gentle way with them. When he saw their eyes drooping he stopped.

“Ahh, bébés,” Gabriel cried, “We must tuck you in. Here, kiss your mama. I will carry you upstairs.” The kids leaned down obediently and planted moist kisses on Isabella’s cheeks before Gabriel whisked them up the stairs, one on either hip.

Isabella sighed. It had been so long since she had someone else to help around the house, some adult to carry on dinner conversation with. She walked onto the porch to watch the sunset. Finally, she heard him come down the steps and she met him back in the living room. They were kinda alone. He was spending the night. This was where it could all go south.

Smiling, Gabriel opened his arms to her. “I don’t know how you do it. I’ve been here for an hour and a half and we haven’t even had an opportunity to properly greet one another.”

“No, we haven’t.” She walked into his embrace while wrapping her arms around his neck. Then she laid her head against his chest, and deeply inhaled his scent to imprint this moment in her brain. Something in that act steadied her. Nothing soothed her more than hearing his heart beating at a relaxed pace, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, and having one of his arms hold her tightly against him while the other rubbed reassuring circles in the center of her back. For the first time in hours, she felt more herself, more the woman she strived to be: strong, in control of her emotions, and confident.

***

Gabriel
 

He took Isabella by the hands and silently led her up the stairs. While he had been tucking the kids in, he’d lit the candles she had scattered about the room. He’d noticed most of them had never been lit, which was a shame, but also gave him hope. Gabriel wanted their time together to be special and memorable.

“Wow. Candlelight. You thought of everything.” She smiled at him, but he detected a hint of nervousness.

Then he walked over to the desk and opened the bottle of wine before pulling two flutes from his duffle bag. “Now I’ve thought of everything,” he teased. “I know how you like sweet drinks,” he commented. “Try this. It’s an ice wine.” He poured two glasses and passed her one. “You will find it thicker and sweeter than any wine you may have enjoyed previously. I promise.”

Obediently, Isabella took a sip and smiled. This man knew her. “Very yummy,” she said happily. She gave him the side-eye before taking another swig. “I bet this works on all the girls.”

Gabriel frowned. He couldn’t blame her. It was looking like quite the seduction scene. “I’ve never dated anyone as long as I have dated you.” He watched her now. “Most of my relationships have had a two week expiration date.”

She spluttered. “Two weeks?” She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure I have leftovers in my fridge that are older than that.”

He padded over to the bed and sat on the edge while he considered how to explain. “Mostly, I would pick up a girl at a club. She’d come home with me, or I’d go to her place. We’d talk a few times on the phone, maybe meet for more sex, then it would fizzle out. I’d be done.”

“Crap. Now I’m really afraid of sleeping with you.” Isabella set her glass down on the nightstand before sitting beside him.

“Gah. I’m not expressing this correctly.” He held his head in his hands a moment before continuing. “Sex. That’s all it was with the others. We’d talk and instantly I was bored, wanted nothing more to do with them.” Gabriel glanced at her. “You?  You I could talk to forever. I want to know everything about you, all your stories, all your hopes and dreams.”

“Oh, so you don’t care about the sex with me. Got it.” She hugged her knees and stared at the floor.

Whipping around to face her, Gabriel gasped. “Is that what you think?” He touched her shoulder. “Please look at me.” Then he waited patiently for her to comply. Gradually, she gazed at him with glassy eyes. “Don’t cry, my Bella.”

She stiffened. “I don’t cry.”

“Okay. Strange, but okay.” He sighed. “Make no mistake, I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you. The difference...is that is not all I want from you.” He grinned. “I want to do everything and nothing with you. What’s between us is so strong, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to let you go, which downright terrifies me.” Gabriel was pleased to see she was biting her lip as though to hold back a smile. “This with you is all new. I’ve never done any of this before. I’m dating for the first time. You...are really my first girlfriend.”

This time, Isabella couldn’t hold back the smile. “I’m your girlfriend?”

“Of course you are.” He chuckled. “And this, all of this...is me being a fool for you.”

She glanced at him shyly. “It’s very romantic.”

“I’m glad you like it. You deserve it and so much more.” Gabriel drew her close and kissed her temple. “We have all the time in the world, Bella. And I want to spend as much of it as possible with you.”

“Me too.” She looked up at him through her thick lashes. “What shall we do first?”

“Tonight, I’m going to hold you all night.” He rubbed her neck lazily.

“And tomorrow?” Her words were barely a whisper. Must be his touch had calmed her nerves.

“Tomorrow we go to Aruba,” he murmured.

Isabella hopped off the bed. “We’re doing what?”

Gabriel smiled at her. “Your passport is current, right?”

“Yes...but the kids.”

“They’ll be staying with Jack. I worked it all out.” He held open his arms for her to climb in and snuggle, but she’d already started packing the room. “Come here,” he urged.

Throwing her hands up in the air, she shook her head. “I have to pack. Me. The kids. Oh, and I don’t even know how long we’re going for.” She frowned at him. “I suck at being spontaneous.”

“No. You’re doing just fine.” He stood up from the bed. “Shall we do this now, so you can relax?  We’re leaving at eight in the morning for Montreal, right after Jack picks up the kids. We’ll return on Wednesday. We have a house there. I hope you’ll like it.” He opened her closet door and pulled out the suitcase. “We’ll take the private jet. It will be a nice vacation.”

“Work!  I have work.” She held a hand to her forehead.

“I already spoke with Kristofer. Everything is taken care. And this is why I was late.” Gabriel walked over to her and laid his hands on her shoulders. “Relax. We’re going to have fun.”