Page 140 of Your Soul to Keep

Some of which took place between the sheets. Speaking of which, I needed a new bucket list.

And I loved our family time.

But work? I wasn’t sure about that at all.

Gabe didn’t care what I did so long as I was happy.

When Brian retired from the garage, I expected Gabe would need me. Until then, I would fill in where I needed at Ayana’s, look after my daughter, and work on the growing tower of baby quilts in my craft room.

This weekend followed our regular pattern. Saturday, we took Dylan to Carousel Park and the beach. Sunday, we went to Maeve and Brian’s for lunch, leaving Dylan there for the night as was our routine.

When we got home Sunday night, Gabe poured me a glass of wine and settled into his chair. Jerking his chin up at me, he patted his lap. “Come here.”

He didn’t have to ask twice. I knew where this was leading.

I set my glass down on the table and settled on his thick thigh.

He wrapped his arm around me and rubbed his big hand up and down my back until I melted against his chest. “I have something for you.”

“Yeah?” I brightened. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone other than Nan had bought me something. “What is it?”

“It’s in my pocket,” he murmured against my temple.

I sat up. “Is this one of those sex games where you have me feeling you up by searching all your pockets? This isn’t on the bucket list,” I teased.

He chuckled. “I want you to remember how you underestimated me after you get your gift,” he teased back, patting the chest pocket of his shirt.

I tucked my fingers inside and felt a chain.

My eyebrows flew up, my eyes meeting his. “You bought me a necklace?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want—”

I laughed. “Why on earth would I not want to wear it?”

Dragging the chain from his pocket, I held it up. “It’s a locket?”

A clear, crystal, gold-beveled disk swung from a long, delicate chain. Catching it in my hand, I stilled its movement.

Tiny letters floated inside. I jiggled it to separate them and smiled, slightly confused, “G, D, S, C, M?”

He swallowed and cleared his throat. “Gabe. Dylan. Skye. Charlie. Melina.”

“Skye,” I whispered, my eyes welling over. “Gabe,” I sobbed, cupping my hand over my mouth.

Where I had struggled to find a way to remember, a way to honor, a way to hold close that which was loved and lost while still moving on from yesterday, he succeeded.

“I love it,” I whispered, throwing myself over his chest. “I love it so much. Thank you. I love you. Thank you for you. Thank you for Dilly. Thank you for finding a way to give me a little bit of them.”

“Shae-baby,” he murmured, his solid, unwavering strength beneath me. “I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”

A smile replaced my tears as I straightened up, secured the chain around my neck, and tucked the locket between my breasts. It would take pride of place in Nan’s teacup whenever it wasn’t securely tucked against my heart.

“Okay?” he asked.

I nodded, swiping the backs of my hands over my eyes. “I’m good.”

“Can’t end with you in tears.” He brushed the backs of his fingers over my cheek. “I also bought you some new t-shirts to round out your wardrobe.”

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