Page 31 of Snowbound

“That’s okay,” says John.

“It is?” I ask.

“For sure. What you’re not realizing is that my wife-to-be is one of the top real estate brokers in the country.”

“I specialize in historic homes.” Ruth smiles, and I suddenly realize that she must get her teeth whitened and her clothes tailored. “I travel all over the country to view properties and help people buy their dream homes. We live comfortably.”

“Why do you still live here?” I ask and wince when I realize exactly how dismissive the question sounds.

Ruth laughs politely. “This is our home. We were born here. We have our friends here.” I don’t miss the look that she gives to Gabe, and though I’m desperate to ask what the situation is between the three of them, I don’t dare. “Why would we need to live anywhere else when we’re happy?”

I don’t have anything particularly to say to that. I don’t think I’ve ever been happy anywhere I’ve lived. I’ve never felt that attached to it.

“Well, if you’re willing to take me on,” I say, “Then yes, I can help you plan your wedding.”

Gabe gives me a curious look, and I glare at him. This isn’t what I want to be doing, but I’ve already lost the client I came all this way for, so I should at least try and recoup some of my losses.

“Wonderful,” says John. “So what do we do now?”

“I will write you up a full list of the steps we’re going to go through. Then we’ll meet to talk about the kind of wedding you want. You know, church or non-religious, bright colors, subdued colors, big, small, extravagant reception. That kind of thing. Then I’ll go away and research how to make that happen for you.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” says John. “We were really worrying about this. Why don’t you find girls on the side of the road more often, Gabe?” Gabe bristles beside me, but John doesn’t back down. “She’s staying with you? Mrs. Andrews said so.”

“Yes,” says Gabe through gritted teeth. “She is staying with me. In the spare room,” he adds quickly. “And she’s welcome to for as long as she’s helping you guys.”

“I am?” I say, turning to him.

Underneath his beard, he’s blushing profusely. This is not the reaction I was expecting from him. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he says quickly.

“I think that would be wonderful. Thank you.”

And I’m not just saying it because I want to spend more time with him. It really would help my finances to not have to pay for a hotel or transportation.

Suddenly, this small town seems a lot more appealing.

Suddenly, it seems like I am going to get to know Gabe after all.

I can’t pretend that that idea isn’t tantalizing. He’s a fascinating guy, and I feel like if I try, I can get through to him. And now I’m going to have plenty more chances. I want to get to know the real Gabe underneath all the grump.

“Great. Well, if you two are happy with everything, then why not? I’ll plan your wedding. I’ll stick around.”

CHAPTER17

GABE

When Carly took John and Ruth under her wing for their wedding meeting, I took off and went home. I’m happy for my friends, but weddings are something I have very little interest in.

It’s funny seeing them engaged, though. They always used to have a huge thing for each other at school, a kind of will-they-won’t-they situation. Neither one of them ever wanted to do anything about it in case it ruined their friendship.

I told them both a hundred times that it wouldn’t, but would they listen to me? Of course not. Sure, I believe that friendship is important — any good relationship is built on the kind of trust that friendship brings. But for these two, it’s been fated since we were like sixteen.

When I got back from military service, the very first thing they told me was that they finally decided to start seeing each other, and to my absolute nonsurprise, they were head over heels. I suppose marriage is just the next step, and I will be happy for them eventually.

I guess it stings to know that they’re moving on with their life without me.

But whatever. I’ve been back for years now, and I haven’t needed them. I’m not about to start needing anyone now.

To take my mind off everything, I decide to make dinner for Carly and me. It feels completely against my better judgment to let her stay here. But there’s something about her that is cracking me open, exposing me. All these years, I’ve been a shell, waiting to be a human again or believing that I don’t need to be.

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