"Yep. People obviously have way too much time on their hands around here."
"At least they have a sense of humor about it. I would assume the mayor really is a dick if they did that?"
"Yeah, he is for the most part." I furrowed my brows at the bag in his hand. "What's that?"
"Breakfast."
"You didn't have to bring yourself something to eat. We would have fixed you something."
"It's not for me. It's for you."
My traitorous heart melted at gesture. "You brought me breakfast?"
Gabe grinned. "Not just any breakfast, your favorite breakfast."
I sucked in a breath so fast I wheezed. "Whoa, hold the phone-you brought me French toast?"
"And not just any French toast. It's French toast from Rafferty's."
"You're joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"But they're like forty-five minutes away."
"It was actually a nice drive."
Oh. My. God. This so wasn't happening. Gabe Renard had not just spent an hour and a half on the road to bring me my favorite breakfast. It was like a scene out of a cheesy Hallmark movie, and so help me God, I loved every minute of it. Of course, then it hit me: how in the world did he know what my favorite breakfast was, least of all where it came from? "Wait, how did you know about the French toast?"
Gabe grinned. "A little birdy told me."
My mind flashed back to the night before. "Ah, one named Lincoln."
"Yep. That's right."
"I don't know what to say."
"I sure as hell hope you say you're starving because I don't want this to go to waste."
I smiled. "There's no way I would ever let French toast from Rafferty's go untouched. I would probably have to be in the hospital in a body cast or something. Even then, I'd demand for someone to feed it to me."
Gabe laughed. "I'd be happy to feed it to you today if you'd like."
With a roll of my eyes, I replied, "That won't be necessary. Next you'll suggest I have breakfast in bed and you'll join me."
"Actually, that sounds quite nice. Will you be dressed in some form of lingerie while you have your breakfast?"
I smacked his arm playfully. "Keep this up and you won't be enjoying any of my presence today."
He winked at me. "Okay, okay, I'll rein it in."
"For you, I think that's easier said than done."
We stood there for a moment before Gabe asked, "Uh, are you going to invite me in?"
Slapping my hand to my forehead, I said, "Oh my God, I'm such an idiot. Yes, please come in."
As he stepped into the foyer, Gabe tilted his head to take in the interior of the house.
"I love your place."
"You do?" I questioned incredulously.
He nodded. "It reminds me of the house we moved into when we came back to the States."
"How long were you guys out of the country?"
"I was two when my dad got his first assignment, and then I was almost thirteen when we moved back."
"That's amazing. I can't imagine what it must be like to live in a different town, least of all in a different country. Hayesville is all I've ever known." I motioned around the foyer.
"This house is really all I've ever known-we moved in when I was three."
"Do you live with your dad?"
His question sent heat to my cheeks. "No. He lives about five minutes from here."
"You mean it's only you and Linc in this big place?"
"No, my two sisters have the upstairs." I gave him a tight smile. "And the house belongs to Aunt Sadie. She's in the room across from me."
Gabe nodded. "It must be nice having your family here to support you and Linc." At what must've been my slightly horrified expression, Gabe quickly added, "I don't mean financially. I mean, it must be nice to have them here emotionally."
I exhaled the breath I'd been holding. "Yes, it is … although there are times when I wouldn't mind having a place for just Linc and me."
"I know what you mean. My brother and I are in such close quarters on the bus when we're touring. There are days when I want to strangle him."
With a laugh, I replied, "Oh yeah, I have many days like that."
When Gabe and I walked into the kitchen, I saw that Linc had joined Kennedy and Ellie at the table. At the sight of Gabe, he bounded out of his chair. "Hey Gabe, good to see you again."
"It's good to see you again, too, buddy," Gabe replied with a smile.
Motioning to the others, I said, "I'd like to introduce you to my sisters, Kennedy and Ellie."
Gabe extended his hand to Ellie first. "It's nice to meet you."
With her face flushing bright red, Ellie emitted a nervous giggle. "It's a pleasure meeting you."
When Gabe turned to Kennedy, a smirk spread across his lips. "You're not packing any sharp utensils at the moment, are you?"
Kennedy's brows furrowed. "No. Why?"
"Rae said you might harbor a little ill will toward me."
"Ill will?"
"Like ‘cut my balls off' kinda ill will."
While Kennedy laughed at Gabe's summation, I smacked his arm playfully. "You weren't supposed to mention that."
"I figured it was the best way to break the ice."
Kennedy nodded. "You figured right. It is true that I wasn't initially a big fan of yours, but I'm willing to get to know you better."
"That's a relief."
"Would you like to fix a plate, Gabe? There's plenty to eat."
Glancing over Kennedy's shoulder, Gabe eyed the goodies lining the counter. I usually didn't see so much breakfast food except on the weekends or if we had company, but once again, I shouldn't have been too surprised that Kennedy went all out to impress Gabe.
"It looks and smells delicious. While I brought breakfast for Rae and myself, I'd love to try some of yours as well."
I grinned at Gabe. By offering to taste Kennedy's food, he was knocking it out of the park when it came to getting on her good side.
Kennedy pulled her shoulders back. "If it's from any of the restaurants here in town, I guarantee mine is better."
Before Gabe could reply, I said, "Actually, he went to Rafferty's."
Both Kennedy and Ellie's eyes widened to the size of the antique dinner plates on the counter. "You got her breakfast from Rafferty's?" Ellie asked.
"Yes, I did."
Kennedy swallowed hard. "Like her favorite French toast from Rafferty's?"
When Gabe nodded, Kennedy swore under her breath. Glancing between Kennedy and Gabe, Ellie quickly said, "That was so sweet of you."
Gabe turned to smile at me. "It was the least I could do considering Rae's been kind enough to give up her time by allowing me to hang out with her."
Shaking my head, I replied, "You really didn't need to do anything else. After all, you bought Linc's and my dinner last night. That was plenty."
"But this was more about a gesture of my appreciation."
Oh, it was a gesture all right-an epic one. Sure, the old adage said the way to a man's heart was through his stomach, but I was certainly feeling it that morning as well.
After handing the Rafferty's bag to me, Gabe piled a plate full of blueberry scones, croissants, and sweet rolls. "I have a feeling I'm not going to get any songwriting done today because I'm going to be in a food coma."
With a triumphant grin, Kennedy said, "I hope it gives you the fuel you need to write."
"Thank you. I'm really grateful to both you and Ellie for your hospitality."
Gabe's statement rendered all of us speechless, and I was sure Ellie and Kennedy were both thinking the same thing I was: how was it possible for this eloquent and gracious Gabe Renard to be the same asshat from the other day?
"You're very welcome," Ellie squeaked as Kennedy and I nodded.
When Gabe started over to the table, Kennedy reached out and stopped him. "Actually, why don't you guys take your breakfast out on the veranda?"
"Is this because you don't want to see my French toast?" I questioned under my breath.
With a roll of her eyes, Kennedy replied, "No. This is more about you and Gabe having time to yourselves-you know, to feed his muse."
"I really appreciate that," Gabe said.
When we started out the side door, Ellie said, "You guys take your time. Kennedy and I will drop Linc off with Dad."
"Really?"
Ellie smiled. "Yes, really."
"Okay, thanks." Pointing at Linc, I said, "Make sure you have your homework and your lunch."
He rolled his eyes but smiled in spite of himself. "I will, Mom."
"I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you, too." Linc waved at Gabe. "Bye, Gabe."
"Bye," Gabe replied.
When we walked out the side door onto the veranda, I gasped. Sometime during the morning, one or both of my sisters had set up the glass-top table for us. While I'd imagined eating out of the takeout containers, there were real china plates and crystal goblets, and a pitcher of orange juice sat on the white linen tablecloth, along with a carafe of coffee.