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Chapter 35
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The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 36
Gabe. Gabe had waited at the end of the hallway for Celina to finish putting Emma to bed. The house was small enough that he’d heard Emma’s prayer and their confessions of love after. What he wouldn’t give to be a part of a love like that. The unfailing love between Celina and Emma choked him up. He could see that Celina was struggling with the repairs for the old house and juggling a full-time job and her family. He wanted to give them the world, but he knew Celina was too independent to just take what he wanted to offer without pushing back. Her pride wouldn’t allow a handout. He was leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest when Celina stepped out of Emma’s room and closed the door behind her. The lamp in the living room cast a faint light down the hallway, and he couldn’t take his eyes from her as she turned to him. Her curly, dark hair hung past her shoulders today, and he wondered how it was possible that she could look more beautiful than before. The lig
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 37
Gabe had been working on the bathroom renovation for a week without fail, and Emma was smitten. Celina wasn’t entirely immune to his charm either. Each afternoon, he showed up at her door at three like clockwork with various supplies and tools, plus little extras for her and Emma. He paid attention to everything. He knew Emma’s favorite colors and characters, and she was always grateful for the gifts. Celina would’ve asked him not to spoil her daughter, but she couldn’t afford to buy the things Gabe gave to them, so she stayed quiet and thankful. He’d brought a single red rose for Celina every day, and she’d put them all in a vase together in the dining room. When Emma got home every day, she sat outside the bathroom door where he worked. Gabe sang a new, sweet song to her each day. When he would finish, Emma would order, “Again,” and he’d sing it again with the same passion the tenth time as the first. Every night, Emma would sing the song to Celina, proud of herself for learni
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 38
The next morning, Rhonda came over to check on Emma and help Celina. While her mom and Emma cuddled, watched TV, and read books, Celina washed the endless sheets and clothes Emma had vomited on in the last twenty-four hours. No one had gotten any sleep. Emma was restless, and Celina was uncomfortable. It was Sunday, and the pediatrician’s office wouldn’t open until eight Monday morning. They’d have to hydrate and maintain until then. Just before noon, her mom stepped into the kitchen where Celina was tidying up after lunch. “She’s asleep.” Her mom reached for the coffee carafe and emptied its contents into her mug. “You need a nap too. Why don’t you go get in bed?” “I’m all right. I think I’ll run to the store in a little bit, if you’re planning to stick around. We need Pedialyte and medicine.” Rhonda shrugged. “Anything you need me to do while you’re gone?” “Not really. Just check on her and be there in case she wakes up.” “Okay. I brought my book. I’ll catch up on some reading
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 39
Gabe. He couldn’t wait any longer for two things. One, he needed to play again, and the owner of Rusty’s, Paul, hadn’t thought twice about letting him play on an open Wednesday night. Friday was just around the corner, but it felt like an eternity when Gabe hadn’t played in weeks. He lived his life in a series of songs, and they were aching to be played. Second, he’d put off calling Celina long enough. She’d told him to take the evening off yesterday, since he’d been working on the renovation six days a week, but he felt off when she wasn’t around. Plus, he wanted her and Emma to be here when he played. He’d been sitting at the table at Rusty’s with Sissy, Lydia, Lindsey, and Dakota for an hour now, and the dinner crowd hadn’t made an appearance yet. Only one table was occupied on the other side of the restaurant. Gabe pushed his wooden chair away from the table, and the screech filled the empty room. “I’ll be right back.” He stepped to the stage and sat on the edge as he tapped
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 40
She wanted to want to go to Bible Study, and her hesitation brought about the nagging guilt that slipped up her back like a snake. Sissy and Lindsey had invited Celina to their weekly Tuesday night Bible Study, and she truly had wanted to go. Instead, she’d said she’d think about it, and she had. When she mentioned it to her mother in passing, she was relieved her mother had offered to keep Emma for an hour on a weeknight. She’d told Gabe the day before that she had plans and wouldn’t be home. He’d sounded disappointed, but she kept telling herself he would enjoy a night off. So why was she feeling guilty? She was aware that her inability to be away from her daughter for over eight hours was unhealthy, and she knew Emma was well-taken care of with her parents. The uneasiness in the pit of Celina’s stomach was because of Saul. Celina still hadn’t told her parents about his recent visit or the phone calls. They’d become more frequent lately, and he was growing increasingly desperate.
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 41
After the meeting, Celina called her mom and mentioned the invite to Rusty’s. “That sounds like fun. Just go on, and Emma can stay with us tonight.” Celina shook her head as she slid into the driver’s seat of her car. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to come and bring Emma.” “Hmm, well, Em’s already in her pajamas, so I think we’ll skip it.” “Then I’ll just come get her. I don’t need to be out anyway.” The clock on her dash read seven fifteen. Emma’s bedtime wasn’t for at least another hour. “No, no. Just let her stay. We’ll have fun. Go on and tell Gabe I said hello.” “I told you Natalie invited me,” Celina corrected, starting the car and adjusting the heat. “Yeah, but I bet Gabe’s there, especially if he knows you’ll be there.” Celina ignored her mother’s insinuation. “Are you sure it’s okay?” “Of course. You want to talk to her?” Celina listened as Emma gave an excited account of a game Paw-Paw was teaching her and promised to call her again before bedtime to say
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 42
Gabe. Gabe was certain he’d never felt as stupid as he did when he’d driven away from Celina tonight. He banged the heel of his hand against the steering wheel and huffed. How could he have done that to her? He wanted her to know he would never leave her, not walk away when things got rough. Gripping the steering wheel, he pushed the accelerator closer to the floor. He needed to see her face and tell her again how sorry he was. He really would wait for her. Sometimes, the fear that she wouldn’t let him in got the best of him. When he pulled into her driveway, his headlights fell on an unfamiliar, beat-up truck, and he parked beside it. A man was pushing on Celina’s front door. Without hesitating, Gabe jumped from the vehicle and ran. Only a few long strides separated him from the man, and the darkness did him no favors. Why hadn’t he replaced the burned-out porch light sooner? When his heavy boot hit the wood of the porch, the man abandoned his mission to push the door in and turn
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 43
Gabe. Gabe stared at the cards in his hand. Seven two off suit. “Raise.” He slid two chips into the pile and let his cards fall facedown. Gabe played poker most Wednesday nights with his friends, and the understanding was that if you could win the hand with seven two off suit, presumably the worst hand in poker, everyone at the table owed you five dollars. It was the only actual money exchanged in their poker games. They played with numbered chips, but no one ever went home richer on Wednesday nights. They’d been playing the same way since high school, and Gabe was thankful. He still hadn’t learned how to win the game. Measurements, construction, electrical wiring—you name it, and Gabe could figure it out. Poker was a mystery, right along with foreign languages and spreadsheets. Tyler called, then Dakota followed suit. Ian cracked a rare smile and called. Sissy stepped up behind Tyler and leaned over his shoulder to kiss his cheek. “We’re off to Celina’s.” Lydia stood beside her
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