Page 35 of Gabriel's Angel

“Where would you like these, Laura?”

“I don’t know, I can’t— Gabe, please.”

“I think they’ll look nice by the window,” she said mildly, then moved over to arrange them to her satisfaction. “Now, then, don’t you three gentlemen think you could find something to occupy yourselves while Laura and I have a little talk?”

Panic leaping within, Laura looked from one to the other, then back at her husband. “Gabe, you have to tell them.”

He took the baby and settled him on his shoulder. His eyes, very clear and still sparking with anger, met hers. “I already have.” Then he left her alone with his mother.

Amanda settled herself on the sofa again. She crossed her legs and smoothed her skirts. “A pity there isn’t a fire. It’s still cool for this time of year.”

“We haven’t had a chance—”

“Oh, dear, don’t mind me.” She waved a hand vaguely at a chair. “Wouldn’t you rather sit?” When Laura did so without a word, she lifted a brow. “Are you always so amenable? I should certainly hope not, as I liked you better when you stuck your chin out at me.”

Laura folded her hands in her lap. “I don’t know what to say. I hadn’t realized Gabe had explained things to you. The way you were acting...” She let her words trail off. Then, when Amanda continued to wait patiently, she tried again. “I thought you believed that Michael was, well, biologically Gabe’s.”

“Should that make such a big difference?”

She was calm again, at least outwardly, and able to meet Amanda’s eyes levelly. “I would have expected it to, especially with a family like yours.”

Amanda drew her brows together as she thought that through. “Shall I tell you that I’m acquainted with Lorraine Eagleton?” She saw the instant, overwhelming fear and backed up. She wasn’t often a tactful woman, but she wasn’t cruel. “We’ll save talk of her for another time. Right now, I think I should explain myself instead. I’m a pushy woman, Laura, but I don’t mind being pushed back.”

“I’m not very good at that.”

“Then you’ll have to learn, won’t you? We may be friends, or we may not, I can’t tell so soon, but I love my son. When he left all those months ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever have him back. You, for whatever reason, brought him back, and for that I’m grateful.”

“He would have come when he was ready.”

“But he might not have come back whole. Let’s leave that.” Again, the vague gesture. “And get to the point. Your son. Gabe considers the child his. Do you?”

“Yes.”

“No hesitation there, I see.” Amanda smiled at her, and Laura was reminded of Gabe. “If Gabe considers Michael his son, and you consider Michael his son, why should Cliff and I feel differently?”

“Bloodlines.”

“Let’s leave the Eagletons out of this for the time being,” Amanda said. Laura merely stared, surprised that the mark had been hit so directly. “If Gabe had been unable to have children and had adopted one, I would love it and think of it as my grandchild. So, don’t you think you should get past this nonsense and accept it?”

“You make it sound very simple.”

“It sounds to me as though your life’s been complicated enough.” Amanda picked up the glass of champagne she’d discarded before. “Do you have any objections to our being Michael’s grandparents?”

“I don’t know.”

“An honest woman.” Amanda sipped.

“Do you have any objections to me being Gabe’s wife?”

With the slightest of smiles, Amanda raised her glass to Laura. “I don’t know. So I suppose we’ll both have to wait and see. In the meantime, I’d hate to think that I’d be discouraged from seeing Gabe or Michael because we haven’t made up our minds about each other.”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t do that. Mrs. Bradley, no one’s ever been as kind or as generous with me as Gabe. I swear to you I won’t do anything to hurt him.”

“Do you love him?”

Uneasy, Laura cast a look toward the doorway. “We haven’t... Gabe and I haven’t talked about that. I needed help, and I think he needed to give it.”

Pursing her lips, Amanda studied her glass. “I don’t believe that’s what I asked you.”

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