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

Swiping the tears from her cheeks, she countered, “You don’t know that.”

She certainly had me there. I didn’t know how I could possibly argue with that, so I switched tactics. “You’re right, I don’t, but here’s something I do know: not all musicians are bad. They’re not all home-wreckers or dead-beat fathers. The ones I know and surround myself with are devoted to their wives and children. They’re not only hardworking, they also give freely of their time to charities and helping others. I know that because I see it firsthand.”

“Really?”

I nodded. “Here’s something else I know: Linc is a fucking amazing kid. Trust me, I’m not usually a kid person, but he won me over the first day I met him. There’s no way a kid that amazing is going to turn into a shit.”

When Rae smiled at me through her tears, I exhaled a relieved breath. Although she always looked beautiful when she smiled, she looked fucking gorgeous right then.

“Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that.”

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it. I don’t believe in bullshitting people.”

She smiled at me once again. “I know you don’t.” After squeezing my hand, she said, “I really do appreciate everything you said.”

“Does that mean you’ll give some more thought to Linc having a guitar?”

Her expression darkened a little. “I wish I could say yes, but no, I don’t think so. There’s no way I can ever see myself changing my mind.”

Great. I was so utterly and completely fucked. When Rae found out about what I’d done with Linc and the guitar, she would kill me—she would annihilate me. “While it’s understandable for you to feel the way that you do, I hope you can understand it’s not a love of music that makes someone terrible—it’s who they are as a person. Maybe I can prove that to you, and then maybe you’ll reconsider your stance—you know, for Linc’s sake.” And mine.

“I guess we’ll just have to see.” We sat there for a few moments, her hand in mine, our gazes locked on each other. I had to admit, it was really nice. It reminded me of the stolen moments I’d seen between Jake and Abby or AJ and Mia. There was an ease and a peace with Rae that I’d never expected I’d feel, and it felt amazing.

I could have stayed like that with her for the rest of the day, but all too soon, Rae shook her head like she was shaking herself out of a dream. Then she pulled her hand away. “I don’t even want to look at my phone to see what time it is. I’m surprised Dad or one of the guys hasn’t called me.”

“Yeah, you better get to work. I’m sorry for keeping you so long.”

“It’s okay. I really enjoyed it.”

“Me too.” Gazing around the table, I said, “Can I help you clean up?”

Rae shook her head. “We’ll leave it for Linc to do as part of his chores.”

“And does he get compensated for these chores?”

Wagging a finger at me, Rae replied, “Don’t think I don’t know where you’re going with that, and no, I’m not giving money to a guitar fund.”

I held up my hands. “I was just asking.”

She gave me a knowing look. “Uh-huh.” As we started back into the house, she glanced back at me over her shoulder. “When did you want to see me again?” Widening her eyes, she quickly said, “I mean, do you think you need to see me again? You know, for your writing, not like for a date or something because that is so not what we’re doing.”

She was damn cute being so flustered. Of course, if I told her that, she’d probably punch me. Rae wasn’t the kind of woman who wanted to be cute.

“Like I said before, I’ll take as much of your time as you’ll give me.” That was the truth. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted to spend time with her.

“Since you’re new in town, I guess the hospitable thing for me to do would be to invite you to dinner with us. Tuesdays we eat with my dad and stepmom.”

“Are you sure they won’t mind you bringing me along?”

“Of course not. Stella always cooks enough for a small army.”

“Then I would love to come.”

“We usually eat around 6:30, so you could pick me and Linc up around 6:15.”

I cocked my brows at her. “You mean you actually want me to pick you up?”

“Why is that surprising?”

“I just figured you were a little too independent to allow a man to pick you up.”

Rae laughed. “Maybe I’m making an exception for you.”

“Ah, I like it. I’ll see you then.”

“Bye, Gabe.”

I waved. “Bye.”

As I walked back to the Jeep, I marveled at just how fucked I was. I was fucked in the fact that I was starting to feel way more than I should for Rae, but I was even more fucked in the fact that she was going to kill me for promising Linc a guitar.

My mind spun with solutions to the quagmire I currently found myself in. The easiest solution would be to just back out of my deal with Linc, tell him that after careful consideration, I now sided with his mother and didn’t think he should have one. Of course, he would probably retaliate by telling Rae I stiffed him on a guitar, which would in turn piss her off.

Oh yeah, I was thoroughly fucked. My tirade was interrupted by my phone ringing. It was Eli.

“Hey man, are you alive?” he questioned.

“Yes, I am.”

“Are you just saying that because the Deliverance people who kidnapped you are forcing you to say that? Cough once into the phone if you’re not okay.”

Rolling my eyes, I laughed in spite of myself. “I have not been abducted by any Deliverance people. I am here in Hayesville of my own volition.”

“Yes, it’s your volition that’s questionable. I mean, you said yourself they don’t even have a Starbucks. What could you possibly still be doing there?”

“Actually, I’m here writing.”

Eli sucked in a breath. “Holy shit. You are?”

When I’d called him the day before, I hadn’t told him anything about Rae or songwriting. Since everything had still been up in the air with her, I’d just told him I was just staying in Hayesville to get away. “Yeah, man. I’ve gotten two songs done already.”

“I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“Thanks. I’m not gonna lie, it sure feels good to be putting words on paper. They’re good words, too, and you know I wouldn’t just say that.”

“I sure do. You are your own worst critic. When were you planning on sharing them with me and Abs?”

“Are you still at Jake and Abby’s?”

“No. I came back to Atlanta the day you left.”

“As soon as I get back to the hotel, I’ll Google Hangout with you guys and play what I have.” At the familiar tingle running up my spine, I said, “Strike that. I think I’m feeling something new coming on.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. I’m not too surprised considering I was just with—” I abruptly cut myself off. For reasons I didn’t understand, I didn’t feel ready to tell Eli about Rae.

“You were just with who?”

“Nobody. Forget it.”

“Look, if you’ve fallen in love with some hillbilly woman named Earlene, it’s okay. You don’t have to be ashamed.”