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

Kennedy snorted. “What I’m talking about is the fact that you haven’t worn a low-cut shirt to work since they caught Wes jerking off in the shop bathroom.”

“No one could prove that was about my shirt,” I countered.

“Considering he’d been standing over you at your desk for the ten minutes beforehand, I’d say it was most definitely your cleavage that sent him over the edge.”

With a roll of my eyes, I said, “Like you’re one to talk. When’s the last time you wore makeup to work?”

Kennedy dropped her gaze back down to the pan of blueberry scones cooling on the stovetop. “The ovens are hot, and I end up sweating it off.”

“Riiiight,” I muttered.

Sweeping a hand to her hip, Ellie said, “For your information, I’m dressed with my makeup on because Aunt Sadie always said to put your best foot and face forward when company was coming.”

I laughed. “Thank you, Emily Post.” Glancing around the kitchen, I said, “Speaking of Aunt Sadie, I’m surprised she’s not out here already.”

“She was gone before we got up this morning. She has that AARP trip to Harrah’s in Cherokee,” Ellie replied.

“Ah, I should have known the only thing that would keep her from aggravating me about Gabe would be gambling.”

“True on that one,” Kennedy said.

Just as I threw a glance at the clock, the doorbell rang, causing my sisters and me to all jump out of our skins. “Oh shit, he’s here!” I screeched. After momentarily wringing our hands, all three of us then proceeded to fluff our hair and smooth our clothes.

As I checked my appearance in the stainless steel refrigerator for probably the millionth time, Kennedy nudged me. “Go on. Let him in.”

“I’m going, I’m going,” I snapped back. Of course, it was at that moment that I found my feet seemed to be frozen to the black and white checkered floor. After my mind screamed at them to pick their sorry asses up, I started out of the kitchen and down the hallway.

When I threw open the front door, I found Gabe smiling at me. “You know, you really should have asked who it was before you just opened the door. It could have been a pervert.

“Oh, but it is a pervert,” I teased.

Gabe rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“Thanks for the tip. While that might be standard practice in Atlanta, it’s not really an issue here. I think the last real crime we had was when someone painted a giant dick on the side of the mayor’s face on one of his campaign signs.”

With a laugh, Gabe said, “Seriously?”

“Yep. People obviously have way too much time on their hands around here.”

“At least they have a sense of humor about it. I would assume the mayor really is a dick if they did that?”

“Yeah, he is for the most part.” I furrowed my brows at the bag in his hand. “What’s that?”

“Breakfast.”

“You didn’t have to bring yourself something to eat. We would have fixed you something.”

“It’s not for me. It’s for you.”

My traitorous heart melted at gesture. “You brought me breakfast?”

Gabe grinned. “Not just any breakfast, your favorite breakfast.”

I sucked in a breath so fast I wheezed. “Whoa, hold the phone—you brought me French toast?”

“And not just any French toast. It’s French toast from Rafferty’s.”

“You’re joking.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“But they’re like forty-five minutes away.”

“It was actually a nice drive.”

Oh. My. God. This so wasn’t happening. Gabe Renard had not just spent an hour and a half on the road to bring me my favorite breakfast. It was like a scene out of a cheesy Hallmark movie, and so help me God, I loved every minute of it. Of course, then it hit me: how in the world did he know what my favorite breakfast was, least of all where it came from? “Wait, how did you know about the French toast?”

Gabe grinned. “A little birdy told me.”

My mind flashed back to the night before. “Ah, one named Lincoln.”

“Yep. That’s right.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I sure as hell hope you say you’re starving because I don’t want this to go to waste.”

I smiled. “There’s no way I would ever let French toast from Rafferty’s go untouched. I would probably have to be in the hospital in a body cast or something. Even then, I’d demand for someone to feed it to me.”

Gabe laughed. “I’d be happy to feed it to you today if you’d like.”

With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “That won’t be necessary. Next you’ll suggest I have breakfast in bed and you’ll join me.”

“Actually, that sounds quite nice. Will you be dressed in some form of lingerie while you have your breakfast?”

I smacked his arm playfully. “Keep this up and you won’t be enjoying any of my presence today.”

He winked at me. “Okay, okay, I’ll rein it in.”

“For you, I think that’s easier said than done.”

We stood there for a moment before Gabe asked, “Uh, are you going to invite me in?”

Slapping my hand to my forehead, I said, “Oh my God, I’m such an idiot. Yes, please come in.”

As he stepped into the foyer, Gabe tilted his head to take in the interior of the house.

“I love your place.”

“You do?” I questioned incredulously.

He nodded. “It reminds me of the house we moved into when we came back to the States.”

“How long were you guys out of the country?”

“I was two when my dad got his first assignment, and then I was almost thirteen when we moved back.”

“That’s amazing. I can’t imagine what it must be like to live in a different town, least of all in a different country. Hayesville is all I’ve ever known.” I motioned around the foyer.

“This house is really all I’ve ever known—we moved in when I was three.”

“Do you live with your dad?”

His question sent heat to my cheeks. “No. He lives about five minutes from here.”

“You mean it’s only you and Linc in this big place?”

“No, my two sisters have the upstairs.” I gave him a tight smile. “And the house belongs to Aunt Sadie. She’s in the room across from me.”

Gabe nodded. “It must be nice having your family here to support you and Linc.” At what must’ve been my slightly horrified expression, Gabe quickly added, “I don’t mean financially. I mean, it must be nice to have them here emotionally.”

I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. “Yes, it is…although there are times when I wouldn’t mind having a place for just Linc and me.”

“I know what you mean. My brother and I are in such close quarters on the bus when we’re touring. There are days when I want to strangle him.”

With a laugh, I replied, “Oh yeah, I have many days like that.”

When Gabe and I walked into the kitchen, I saw that Linc had joined Kennedy and Ellie at the table. At the sight of Gabe, he bounded out of his chair. “Hey Gabe, good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you again, too, buddy,” Gabe replied with a smile.

Motioning to the others, I said, “I’d like to introduce you to my sisters, Kennedy and Ellie.”

Gabe extended his hand to Ellie first. “It’s nice to meet you.”

With her face flushing bright red, Ellie emitted a nervous giggle. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”