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

Linc shook his head. “Trust me, she won’t do it.”

“Maybe not for free, but money talks.”

“But don’t you see? It’s the fact that you’re going out of your way to get her the food she really likes that counts. It’s something you can do from your heart, not your wallet.”

I stared wide-eyed at Linc. “Damn, kid. How could you know that?” I swore he was some sort of wise old soul in a kid’s body. He was absolutely right—Rae wasn’t impressed with my fame or money, so she certainly wouldn’t appreciate me throwing money at her sister. She was more likely to be impressed that I did something for myself—that I didn’t ask my assistant to deliver it to me. “Once again, you’re completely right. You’re going to be a total ladies’ man when you get older.”

Linc’s cheeks flushed. “Maybe.”

“Trust me, most men don’t possess the level of understanding about women that you do, and you’re only nine. There must be something to be said for being raised in an all-female household.”

“Aunt Kennedy says I’m surrounded by estrogen, whatever that is.”

With a laugh, I replied, “You don’t need to worry about that right now.” I rubbed my hands together. “Okay, what’s the name of the place with the fantastic French toast? To make it back in time before your mom leaves for work, I might have to throw some money at them to open early.”

After Linc gave me the name of what I could only imagine was some backwoods version of iHop, I motioned to the door. “Okay, let’s get out of here before everyone else thinks I crapped out my intestines.”

Linc snickered. “That’s pretty sick.”

“Yeah, it is.”

When we started out of the bathroom, Rae was pacing in the hallway. At the sight of us, a relieved expression replaced her concerned one. “Thank God. I was just about to go in after you two, and I really, really didn’t want to have to do that.”

I grinned. “I’m sorry. I should have sent Linc back to the table to let you know I was all right, but when he found out I had been writing a song, we started talking about it.”

Linc gave me a look that said, Nice save.

Rae’s dark eyes widened. “You were writing a song? In the bathroom?”

“Yep. On paper towels.”

“That’s…”

“Insane?” I finished for her.

She shook her head. “Amazing,” she murmured. For the first time since she’d met me, she appeared actually impressed by me. “I can’t imagine doing anything creative, least of all in a bathroom.”

“When the words and the music come, I have to go with it. I’m sorry I ran out on you like that.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“I’m sure Sadie must think I’m a psycho with the runs.”

Both Rae and Linc laughed. “Speaking of Sadie, we better get back to the table. If we all disappear, she’ll think it’s some kind of conspiracy to get away from her.”

“I’ll go tell her everything is okay,” Linc suggested before hurrying around the corner. Once again, I had to give the kid some props. He knew exactly when to try to give us some alone time.

After nibbling on her lip, Rae said, “So you really weren’t lying to me when you said I influenced your songs?”

“Why would I have lied?”

With a matter-of-fact look, she replied, “To get me in bed.”

“I thought I made it clear to you this morning that I wasn’t interested in sleeping with you. I just want to platonically hang out with you to get my songs written.” At Rae’s quick intake of breath, I realized I’d once again fucked up by saying the wrong thing. Not interested in sleeping with her? Yeah, keep telling yourself that. You’d fuck up her against the bathroom wall right now if she gave you the chance.

“Excuse me for being overly cautious and not completely trusting you,” she snapped.

There it was: the simmering rage beneath the surface, directed at me and only me. Yeah, you deserved that one, asshole.

I held my hands up in front of me. “It’s okay, I get it. After the way I acted yesterday, it makes sense that you would be wary of anything I have to say.”

“That’s right.”

“But after spending a little time with me and seeing me in the process, don’t you believe me now?”

Rae’s dark eyes held mine for a long moment. “Yes, I do.”

Inwardly, I did a fist bump. “Does that mean you’ll reconsider hanging out with me?”

“I don’t know…maybe.”

“I promise I won’t interfere with your life or with Linc’s. When you have some downtime, you can just hit me up.”

“You mean you don’t want to follow me around all day?”

I laughed. “Would that be so horrible?”

“It certainly wouldn’t be ideal.”

“I’ll take whatever you can give me, Rae.”

She slowly nodded her head. “Okay. I guess I can try to make time to hang out with you.”

“Can you try not to make it sound like it’s absolute torture being in my presence?”

A small smile curved her lips. “It’s a hard job, but I’ll give it a shot.”

“Good. Why don’t I come by for breakfast in the morning?”

Rae’s smile faded slightly. “Oh, I don’t know. The mornings are kinda hectic with my sisters and me trying to get to work and getting Linc to school.”

“Just sit me at the table. I promise you won’t even know I’m there.”

With a roll of her eyes, Rae said, “Considering I’ll have to make sure I’m decent, I’m pretty sure I’ll know you’re there.”

“Please don’t feel you have to be decent on my account.” I waggled my brows at her.

She groaned. “I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

I laughed. “Yep. You did.”

“Fine. You can come by in the morning, but just be warned that while my younger sister will be drooling over you, my older sister will be out for your balls.”

“Damn. Do I even want to know why your sister has an axe to grind with me?”

“Let’s just say I filled her in on what happened between us the other day.”

“I see. I’ll be sure to steer clear of her, especially if she’s carrying a knife.”

Rae laughed, and I could help noticing how good it sounded. I certainly hadn’t heard it much; I supposed I hadn’t given her very many reasons to laugh.

“Since she owns a bakery, that wouldn’t be out of the norm.”

“Wait, is it the one down the street from the Grandview?”

With a nod, Rae replied, “Yep. Harts and Flowers. The longer you’re in town, the more you’ll find that all the stores and businesses are either on or right off Main Street.”

“That’s good to know. I’ll have to stop in there.” Grinning, I added, “After I try to smooth things over with her tomorrow.”

“Good luck with that one.”

At that moment, the wide brim of Aunt Sadie’s red hat came around the corner, and she eyed the two of us suspiciously. “Are you trying to cut out on the check, Mr. Rich and Famous?” she demanded.

I laughed. “No ma’am, I’m not.”

“May begged to buy his dinner,” Rae piped up in my defense.

“If you’re not trying to run out on the check, what other nefarious things are the two of you doing back here?”

Rae sighed. “We’re not doing anything, Aunt Sadie.”