Wind Chime Point

* * *

Relieved to have killed the subject of his marriage for the moment, Wade hurried Gabi through their meal, claiming he needed to get her home so she could get some rest. In truth, he needed some time to settle down, remember this was about distracting Gabi from her problems, not letting her get inside his head. It most definitely wasn’t supposed to be about seducing her, which seemed to be all he could think about at the moment.

Good grief, the woman was having another man’s baby, and his mind was on sex. It had been on sex since he’d first laid eyes on her months ago. He needed to make a few adjustments for the current and very unexpected circumstances.

When they walked outside, she looked up at the sky full of stars, her expression enchanted. “The sky never looks like this in Raleigh,” she said. “Too many city lights.”

“I’ve never known anything else,” Wade said. “Lived here all my life, and not much interest in trying anyplace else.”

“You didn’t go away to college?”

He shook his head. “I knew early on that I wanted to work with wood. My dad taught me custom cabinetry. He’d made a good living at it and claimed I had a knack for it, too. I just eased into the business, then took it over from him when he retired.”

“Boone says you’re the best around,” Gabi told him.

“He seems to like the work I’ve done for him.”

“So did Cora Jane.” She grinned. “At least, I assume that’s why she kept dreaming up jobs for you to do at Castle’s.”

He laughed. “Sweetheart, that was all about keeping me firmly planted in your path. She assumed if we brushed past each other enough, sooner or later we’d set off sparks.”

She winced. “You knew that? How embarrassing!”

“I didn’t object. You were just about the prettiest woman I’d seen in a very long time. The work was easy enough. The eye candy was something special.”

She frowned. “Thanks, I think.”

“Trust me, it was a compliment.” He noticed she was still staring up at the stars. “Want to walk along the docks before we head back to your place?”

“Yes,” she said eagerly, heading for the closest one in the marina.

She stumbled slightly at the edge. Wade caught her hand, then kept it securely in his. “You warm enough?” he asked, almost hoping she’d say no so he could justify putting an arm around her.

“Perfect,” she assured him.

“No doubt about that,” he murmured before realizing he’d spoken aloud.

Gabi regarded him worriedly. “Wade, I’m far from perfect.”

“Not from where I’m standing,” he insisted.

She regarded him with frustration. “This can’t go anywhere. You know that, right? Things in my life are just too complicated. I’ll go back to Raleigh eventually, start over.”

“Maybe,” he agreed. “Nothing says we can’t be friends, though, right?”

“I got the feeling just now that you might want more,” she admitted.

“You’re a beautiful, smart, funny, desirable woman,” he said solemnly. “Any man who didn’t think about having more with you would be a fool. That doesn’t mean I expect it to happen.” He grinned. “At least not overnight.”

“I just don’t want to lead you on,” she said, stopping at the end of the dock and studying him with an earnest expression. “I’ve messed up a lot lately. You seem like a really nice guy. I don’t want you to be one of my mistakes.”

He took her by the shoulders and held her gaze. “You’re making way too much of an innocent remark,” he said quietly. “We’ve had a nice evening out. We’ve gotten to know each other a little better, shared a few laughs. Nobody’s asking for more. Nobody’s jumping ahead, least of all me. Believe me, I know all about not being ready for any complications.”

She seemed to take in his words, then finally nodded. “As long as we’re clear about what’s going on.”

“We’re clear,” he assured her. “No worries, okay?”

“Okay.”

“We’ll hang out when it feels right,” he added.

“Hang out?”

“Get together,” he explained. “Have a meal, maybe some conversation, whatever. No big deal.”

Gabi might be the spin master in the Castle family, but Wade thought he was doing a pretty good job right now of putting together a line that would assure she’d let her guard down with him. One thing was definite’whatever he had to say or do to pull it off, he didn’t intend to let tonight’s date be their last.

4

At loose ends for the first time in ages, Gabi wandered through her grandmother’s house the day after her movie date with Wade. Though she had slept late, she felt restless and edgy. She knew perfectly well it was because her life had no structure right now, no purpose. For a woman who’d been driven to succeed, who’d worked eighteen out of every twenty-four hours more often than not, the empty hours she faced now were a cross to bear, not a relief.

When her cell phone rang, she seized it like a lifeline without bothering to check the caller ID. After she’d answered, she was stunned to hear Paul’s voice.

“Gabriella? Is that you?” he repeated when she held the phone in shocked silence.

“What do you want?” she finally asked.

“I heard what happened at work,” he admitted. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks,” she said tightly. “If that’s all, I need to be going.”

“Wait!” he protested. “I thought we should talk, settle a few things.”

“Paul, believe me, you made your position plain the last time we spoke. We have nothing left to discuss.”

“Look, I’m really sorry about how I behaved. I was insensitive and selfish. You just caught me completely off guard with the whole baby thing.”

“The whole baby thing,” she echoed. “What a quaint way to put it! You and I conceived a child together. You acted as if I’d done that all by myself and solely to ruin your life. I can’t tell you how cherished and special that made me feel.”

“I said I was sorry,” he repeated impatiently. “Look, I know I’m bungling this again. I just want to talk, figure out how to handle things from here on out.”

“There’s nothing for you to worry about,” she responded. “I’m handling things just fine on my own. That’s what I do, you know. I handle things. Isn’t that what you suggested as you walked out the door? That this was just one more challenge for me to deal with?”

“That was before you lost your job,” he said, as if she needed reminding. “You’ll need some financial support for sure now. I want you to know I intend to step up, for you and the baby.”

“Not necessary,” she said. “From now on the less you have to do with me or the baby, the better. I’m not sure I could stomach the sight of you.”

“Now you’re just being shortsighted and stubborn,” he said. “Having a child can be a huge expense. I’m the father. It’s up to me to contribute to his or her support.”