Jacob's Ladder: Gabe (Jacob's Ladder #1)

“Yes.”

“I think that would be in both our best interests.” His brows crinkled. “I’d like to have it notarized, but I’m afraid Candy would want to know what it was.”

“My signature and my word are my bond. I won’t back out.”

“Okay, until I can write up the contract, why don’t we shake on it?”

With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “Fine.” I threw my hand out, and Linc shook it.

“So how we do this?” I asked.

“I think a sneak attack is the best way to start.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“On Mondays we always eat dinner at The Hitching Post on Main Street, so you could just happen to be there when we get there. Then I could ask you to sit with us because I recognized you from Jacob’s Ladder.” Just when I started to agree with him, Linc frowned. “Wait, I don’t know if it’s a good idea that we play up your rocker status. What do you think?”

I blinked at him. I was starting to think Linc was nine going on thirty. “Hmm, you’re probably right.”

“We don’t get a lot of strangers around here. Maybe I could ask you to sit with us because you’re sitting by yourself and look lonely?”

“Oh yeah, let’s ditch the rocker angle and go for me looking sad and pathetic,” I muttered.

Linc laughed. “I’m just trying to come up with the best plan.”

“I say we stay with rocker. Moms are usually pretty weird about their kids talking to or hanging out with strangers.”

“Oh yeah, she’s always telling me that. Plus, it makes more sense that I want you to sit with us as a musician since she knows how much I want to play guitar.”

“Works for me. What time should I be there?”

“Mom usually closes up the shop at six then we head on over there.”

Nodding, I replied, “I’ll be there.”





“Hey Mom, aren’t you ready to go?” Linc asked.

I glanced from my computer over to him. “I’m sorry, sweets, but I’m running behind today. I might have to stay until seven to catch up. You want to call Papa to come get you?”

The devastated look on Linc’s face made me feel like Mother of the Year. The reason I was running behind on paperwork was because I’d spent over an hour at Harts and Flowers, hashing and rehashing Gabe’s visit with Kennedy and Ellie. By the time I had gotten back to the shop, I was needed out on the floor to oversee some insurance adjusters, and I’d even eaten lunch sitting at my desk with my head buried in my computer.

“But we always go to dinner together on Monday nights,” Linc protested.

Not only did he have the most pitiful tone in the world, he also somehow managed to stick his bottom lip out. “You really want to go out to eat with me instead of seeing what goodies Stella cooked?”

“Yessss.”

My gaze trailed back over to the computer screen. It wouldn’t kill anybody if I did cut out early; the paperwork would still be there in there morning. I hit save on the file I had open and turned off the computer then held up my hands in defeat. “Fine. You know I can never say no when you pick me over Papa.”

A guilty look flashed in Linc’s eyes before he quickly replaced it with pure happiness and rushed over to tug on my sleeve. “Come on, Mom. I’m starving.”

“Okay, okay, keep your stomach at bay. I have to close up.” I grabbed my purse out of the desk drawer and then rose out of my chair. Usually when I got ready to leave, Linc would be running around the shop or outside playing with Demo. Today, though, he never left my side. I had a shadow as I checked to ensure all the equipment was off and the doors were locked. I started to think he was going to come in the bathroom with me, but thankfully, he waited outside the door.

Once Hart and Daughter was thoroughly closed up, Linc and I headed over to the car. As I pulled out onto Main Street, I noticed a clanging noise. Just when I started to think I had a mechanical issue, I realized it was the zipper on Linc’s backpack hitting the underside of the dashboard as he bounced his knees. It was something he did when he was anxious—a little nervous habit. I wondered if something had happened at school. Maybe Mrs. Lockhart had hated his solar system project. Inwardly, I groaned when I thought maybe he was upset about Donuts with Dad. Was he really okay with my dad going with him, or was he starting to wish he had a father? Even though I was dying to press him about what he might be nervous about, I decided I would wait until we sat down to eat.

I eased the SUV up to the curb outside of The Hitching Post. It was one of the three restaurants in town, and since it was on Main Street and close to the house, we usually ate there at least twice a week. I’d barely put the car in park when Linc bounded out of the door. “Linc, be careful! Watch for cars!” I shouted.

Ignoring me, he was already around the front of the vehicle, and he managed to open my door for me before I had the chance.

“Wow, what’s brought on the chivalry tonight?”

“Nothing. I’m just hungry.”

“Whatever, buddy,” I replied as I reached out to ruffle his hair.

After I hopped out, my gaze caught a dark-haired figure standing inside the restaurant. Whipping my sunglasses off, I squinted at the man. At the realization of who it was, I gasped.

Oh no. It wasn’t possible that Gabe Renard was waiting to be seated at the very restaurant we were going to eat at. The last thing on earth I wanted was to see him again, especially not with Linc since I didn’t know how Gabe would react.

When Linc’s hand reached for the door, I swatted it away. “What would you say if we skipped out on The Hitching Post and drove over to Preston for some Chinese?”

“But we always eat here on Monday nights.”

I shrugged. “So? We can mix things up and get your favorite Chinese.”

Linc stared at me like I’d grown horns. “But I want a burger tonight, not Chinese.”

Inwardly, I groaned. “Okay. I just thought I’d suggest it.”

Without another word, Linc pushed on inside. When the bell tinkled over our heads, Gabe turned around, and my breath hitched as I waited to see his reaction. Surprise flooded me when he gave me a genuine smile—the kind of smile you reserve for people you like, not ones who had turned you down for both a date and to be your musical muse.

“Oh wow! It’s Gabe Renard!” Linc shouted before pointing at Gabe.

Jerking Linc’s hand down, I said, “It’s not polite to point.”

Linc stared up at me, wide-eyed. “But he’s famous! Papa said some famous rocker named Gabe was in town, but I had no idea it was Gabe Renard.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Gabe said, throwing out his hand.

Linc stared at it in awe for a moment before shaking Gabe’s hand. “I can’t believe I just touched Gabe Renard’s hand. None of my friends are going to believe this.”

“Why don’t we take a selfie together? Then you have photographic evidence.”

Linc’s eyes bulged. “You’d really do that?”

“Sure. I’d be happy to.”