Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Now as she took another bite, she had to wonder at the sense of her decision. They were all so good.
She finished the waffle and Gabriel placed a hot cup of coffee in front of her. No milk. How did he know?
Taking a sip, she closed her eyes, as it was just perfect. There was a hint of sweetness, which she loved. If she had milk or cream in her coffee, she found it to be a little too rich, and she couldn’t quite stomach it first thing in the morning. This was perfection.
“This is so good,” she said.
“I’m glad you like it. How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
Her face instantly heated. Gabriel had taken it all in stride.
“Er, I’m fine.”
“You’re not embarrassed, are you?”
“No, no, yes, er, maybe.”
He chuckled. “You don’t need to be embarrassed.”
“It’s not something I’m used to talking about.” She gritted her teeth. “I’ve never known a guy be so … cool about everything. When I sent Nigel to the shops with a list that included feminine hygiene things, he refused to get them.”
“That little shit. His wife, if he ever gets one, is going to have to slap some sense into him.”
“I don’t think I can even imagine him married at this point.” She wrinkled her nose.
“One day, maybe.”
“Have you talked to him?” Faith asked.
“No, and that’s a good thing. He’s lucky I’m here with you. I’d have kicked his ass.”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
“Yes. He’s hurting himself, Faith, and his addiction could hurt you. I’m not going to stop until he’s clean.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I … I wanted to get him some help, but he never wanted it. He would always scream at me to get out of his business. That he didn’t need a babysitter.”
Gabriel shrugged. “Kids are assholes, and Nigel is right up there.”
“He hates me,” she said.
“No,” Gabriel said. “I know he loves you and one day soon he’s going to make it up to you. I don’t know how or when, but he will.”
She felt those tears coming back. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually cry so much.”
“You’re a woman. It’s your thing.”
“Oh, my God, how have you even survived in this world? Hasn’t a woman tried to kill you or anything?” she asked, wiping under her eyes. She didn’t want to be crying, and yet, here she was doing exactly that, again.
Her hormones always went a little crazy during a menstrual cycle, they just seemed to be going a little more so in the past few days.
Gabriel winked at her and she had a feeling that was part of it. Women didn’t want to hurt that pretty face, and it really was a pretty face.
He finished breakfast but refused to allow her to eat at the kitchen counter, instead, he carried their breakfast outside to where a table was set up. She carried her coffee out as she followed him, and then sat down opposite.
On her plate were two fluffy, golden-brown waffles, a small pile of scrambled eggs, and two pieces of crispy bacon.
Gabriel disappeared and returned with a small saucepan of hot maple syrup. He drizzled some over his plate and then offered to do the same for her. She was speechless but agreed. He added just the right amount, and then he sat down. This was perfection. Cooked on the wrong day, but she didn’t care. Taking that first bite felt like stepping back in time. She felt comforted, happy, warm, and then a little hint of sadness, because her mother wasn’t with her anymore.
She couldn’t help but wonder what she’d think of Gabriel. She had a feeling her mother would have adored him, monster or not.
****
Gabriel had taken several pictures of Faith’s mother’s recipe book.
The best morning breakfast waffles had made her cry, and he had a feeling it was because of the memories they evoked. He’d never had a family, never had those feelings. Nothing had any sentimental value to him, but watching Faith, he wanted her to enjoy life. He didn’t like that she was constantly putting off her enjoyment.
He had no idea what she wanted to be, but he was determined to find out.
Her life for the past seven years had been focused on taking care of her brother. Nigel was fucking lucky he wasn’t close to him right now. He’d give him a fucking beating, just for being a bad brother. In fact, Gabriel wished he had given Nigel a beating before he agreed to help him. The little shit. If he did get his hands on him, he was going to fucking kill him.
Faith loved her breakfast, and he couldn’t be too obvious in the recipe choices, so that night they ate out at one of the many restaurants in town. He’d gotten Faith dressed into a beautiful, figure-hugging red dress, and she’d pulled her hair back so the sides were bound in a clip, but all the rest cascaded down her back.