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