Single and Searching (25 page)

Gabe hadn't called.

Casey still loved him.

Perhaps she should have trusted him.

After a sleepless night, she flipped the T. V. on and caught the tail end of the morning news. A reporter interviewed Lieutenant Harper, citing basic information about the arrests.

Gabe stood close by, silent and brooding. As soon as the press conference ended, Casey watched the mayor shake Gabe's hand. The mayor's gorgeous daughter raced up and threw her arms around Gabe. It was the same woman she'd seen with him on T.V. before. She was beautiful, classy, sophisticated.

Everything Casey wasn't.

She wanted to tear the woman's hair out.

A glutton for punishment, she sat, glued to the screen, studying Gabe's reaction. Was it only her wishful thinking or did he look annoyed at the woman's attention? His gray eyes looked cool. She remembered the way they'd turned smoky when he'd made love to her. During the interview, he hadn't flashed his dimple even once.

Was it possible that Gabe really loved her?

Quickly, she scanned the newspaper expecting a full front-page spread about the robbery. Instead, she found a small piece on page eight, just a paragraph stating the suspect had been apprehended, arrests had been made, and details were being withheld to protect the evidence in the case. Gabe hadn't mentioned Jill or her or Henry S. In fact, personal details were suspiciously missing in the article.

Another article with Gabe's byline titled "Thief of Hearts" drew her eye. She sipped her coffee and began to read.

"Can true love be found in the personal ads? It did for one young man. This man had a list of characteristics he expected to find in a woman, but one date with his personal ad dream woman, Single and Searching, and he tore the list up and made a new one.

Can this love survive? Join in for future stories and see if the man in question can win the young woman's heart. After all, she has stolen his and without her love, he may not survive."

Beside the article he'd drawn a cartoon sketch of a woman wearing a big, fuzzy robe greeting her husband at the door. He'd titled the drawing: The Perfect Wife.

Casey brushed more tears away. Gabe had solved the case. Saved her from jail. Kept Henry S. with her. And somehow he had managed to persuade the district attorney not to press charges against Jill. Jenna had called her with the news before breakfast. Jill would receive counseling instead of an accessory charge, something Casey realized Jill had needed long ago.

She should have trusted him. If Gabe could overlook her past, couldn't she forgive his secrecy?

Maybe they both needed to learn to trust.

Suddenly, she pushed her chair back and stood. She knew exactly what she was going to do.

"Mommy, pway?" Henry S. said, padding into the room.

Casey laughed. "Yes, honey. Here." Casey tossed him a ball of yarn she'd bought for "y." "We were going to make yarn pictures with this. Why don't you play with it while Mommy makes some notes."

Henry S. grinned, grabbed the yam and darted down the hall. Casey took out a pad and pencil and realized that if she left Henry S. alone she might need another plumber before the day was over.

* * *

Gabe sauntered up the steps to Casey's porch and stopped to study the bunny rabbit on the porch. He wondered if Casey had finally opened any of the presents he'd sent and if she would accept the one he had with him.

When Hank handed him the message from Casey, he'd read the words in disbelief. At first confusion reigned—Casey needed a plumber—but then hope had set in. He prayed he wasn't wrong.

Hell, he had it bad. Romancing Casey took more energy than dealing with the worst criminals around. It was a wonder he had a brain left to write after thinking of all these gifts. Thank goodness, he was approaching the end of the alphabet. If she accepted his gift, he planned to combine "V, W," and "Z." If not, he'd have to start all over.

God help him if that happened.

He rang the doorbell and waited, half holding his breath, his hand clutching a toilet plunger. When Casey opened the door, a smile broadened his face. She had opened one of the gifts because she was wearing it—a brand new silk robe. But the most special part of all was her the flirtatious gleam in her eyes.

"Hi," Casey said. She glanced down and took in his holey jeans and faded shirt.

Gabe cleared his throat, unsure how to begin. He held the plunger up. "You needed a plumber?"

Casey waved over her shoulder. "Yes, thanks for coming. My son, he's always flushing things down the toilet, you know."

Then her gaze roved down to his holey jeans, and Gabe's heart fluttered with delight.

"You might get those pants wet." Then she jerked him inside.

"I could always take them off," Gabe said.

Casey pulled him to her for a kiss. "Later, sugar. But before you fix the toilet, I want you to know I read your article on personal ad dating and wondered if it was true. Do you think I could find true love through an ad?"

Gabe's smile faded, his eyes narrowing. Just what was she up to? Then she handed the newspaper to him, and Gabe slowly opened it.

"I placed another personal ad this morning. I'm afraid it's a little on the picky side," Casey said. "I may have trouble finding a man that fits that description. You see each letter of the alphabet is a word that describes him."

Gabe arched an eyebrow, then read the ad.

assertive, baseball fan, charismatic, dimwitted plumber, extraordinary lover, forever kind of guy, gorgeous gray eyes, heartbreaker material, ingenious, jealous, kind, loving, macho, nose flares when angry, ominous, passionate and persistent, quite protective, romantic, sexy, trustworthy, up-and-coming Pulitzer Prize winner, virile, whiskey colored hair, X-ceptionally talented writer, yielding, zealous

Gabe's mouth twitched. "You really think I'm an extraordinary lover?"

Casey threw her arms around his neck and planted a devastating kiss on his lips. "The best one I've ever had."

Gabe nibbled her neck and growled. "The only one you'll ever have."

"I might need a refresher." She kissed his jaw. "By the way, I don't think I ever told you about the rest of my dream. You were wearing those holey jeans."

Heat flooded Gabe. "You mean there really was a dream?"

Casey nodded and dropped her robe to the floor. Gabe's heart pounded as Casey lead him to the bedroom. "Get out of here, Dog," Gabe ordered as Casey's pet nudged the edge of the bed. And for once, Dog minded.

Then Casey proceeded to show him exactly what her fantasies had been.

Later, while they lay entwined in each other's arms, Gabe finally spoke. "Casey, can you ever forgive me?"

Casey snuggled up to him. "If you can forgive me. Thank you for helping me and for what you did for Jill. I love you, Gabe."

"I love you, too, Casey." Gabe kissed her neck. "But I thought I'd never hear you say those words. I ...was afraid I'd lost you for good."

She traced a finger along his jaw. "No, we... just had a set back."

He stood and handed Casey her robe. "Come on, let's go outside."

"What are you up to now?" Casey asked.

Gabe tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just trust me and you'll see."

A heartbeat passed, then Casey pressed her hand to his cheek. "I do trust you."

Gabe's chest clenched, and he led her outside to the oak tree. He left her for a moment to retrieve something from his car, then returned a second later with a large box. "Open it, then I'll explain."

Casey unwrapped the package, her face lighting up in surprise. "Oh, Gabe, it's beautiful," she said, pulling out a handmade quilt.

"It's for 'Q.'" He whistled. "We're finishing this alphabet game. It's a wedding ring quilt my grandmother made. I'd like for us to use it on our bed when we get married."

Casey clutched the quilt to her chest. "Married?"

Gabe placed the other box in her hands. "Yes."

Casey's fingers trembled as she opened the box. A small porcelain bunny was perched in the middle, a beautiful diamond ring with tiny sapphires dangling from one paw.

"You can still keep McIntyre as your pen name, but how does the name Thornton sound? Will you marry me, Casey?"

Casey's eyes glittered like the dozens of stars twinkling above as she nodded.

Then Gabe slipped the ring on her finger, and Casey wrapped her arms around him. "Of course I'll marry you. After all, you fit my personal ad to the 'T'."

* * *

"Henry S., hold still," Casey said.

Jenna pinned the tiny boutonniere on his suit. Henry S. squirmed and tugged at his tie. "It'll be over soon, buddy, and you can stay with me while Mommy and Gabe go on their honeymoon."

"You look great, Henry S.," Casey said. "Now if you can just stay clean until after the ceremony."

"Good luck with that." Jenna laughed. "Have you seen Dog? Henry S. put a tie around his neck."

Casey nodded and adjusted her veil. "He tried to put a jacket on him, too, but Dog got smart and hid. I thought he'd never come out."

Jill walked up and admired Casey's dress. "You look beautiful," she whispered.

Casey hugged both of her friends. Jill had gone into counseling and seemed to be starting to deal with her insecurities.

Soft guitar music suddenly echoed from outside and Jenna took Casey's arm. "Come on, the music's starting, time for you to get hitched!"

Everyone rushed to their places.

Gabe had promised her a wedding for the letter "W" and what better place than the oak tree in the yard. Surrounded by yellow daffodils for "Y" and zinnias for "Z," the day was complete.

Casey marched toward Gabe truly convinced that personal ad dating had brought them together. The photographer snapped pictures, music wafted softly around them, but it was the love in her fiancé's eyes that warmed Casey's heart. The vows for "V" they'd written were personal and Casey would cherish them forever.

At the reception, Casey finally met Gabe's father.

"Don't be nervous, sweetheart. He's just an ordinary guy, and he's going to love you."

"Hello, there, Casey," Mr. Thornton said. "It's a pleasure to meet my daughter-in-law."

Mr. Thornton kissed Casey's cheek and her stomach fluttered. Looking into Gabe's father's eyes, she saw what her new husband would look like in years to come. Distinguished, handsome, loving, wonderful.

"I'm honored to meet you, Mr. Thornton. I've read your work. I know Gabe is proud of you."

Mr. Thornton looked sheepish. "Call me Dad. My son is proud of you, too, Casey. He's told me all about your book and your award. Children are the future. It's outstanding that you've chosen to share your talent with them."

Gabe wrapped his arms around her and nipped at her neck. "My wife is talented in so many ways."

Casey's face heated, then Henry S. toddled by, and she noticed a tiny frog sticking out of his pocket.

Oblivious, Mr. Thornton picked him up. "I can't believe I already have a grandson. I'm glad I don't have to wait too long. I hope you add a couple more."

"If we do, I'll have to sign up for plumbing lessons." Gabe smiled as his dad jostled Henry S. off to get more cake.

Casey laughed, then covered a gasp as Henry S. placed the frog on top of Mr. Thornton's head.

Jenna ran up. "Casey, guess what? I saw this ad for a class called 'How to Get Married Within a Year.' Spending so much time with Henry S. has made me realize how much I want children, and my biological clock's ticking away. I think I'll sign up."

"That sounds like a great idea, Jenna."

Brick sauntered by, then hugged Casey. Casey ignored the jealous look Gabe shot her, "Oh, Jenna, by the way this is Brick Dazzleton, my illustrator."

Brick shook Jenna's hand. "Casey's always talking about you. You own that lace shop?"

Jenna nodded.

"Oh, Brick." A voluptuous woman walked up and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Who is that?" Jenna whispered.

"Brick's girlfriend, the piranha."

"Drats," Jenna muttered. "Who could compete with that body of hers? I guess I'd better take that class."

Gabe circled Casey's waist with his arms. "It's time to leave, so we don't miss our flight."

Casey spun around and hugged her husband.

"Let me throw the bouquet."

The single women gathered and Casey turned her back and tossed the bouquet of violets. Squeals of laughter sounded through the yard, then Jenna caught the bouquet and everyone cheered.

Casey had treasured the day but was anxious for her honeymoon, so she and Gabe said goodbyes to Henry S. and ran for the car. "Oh, no," Casey groaned. "It looks like Henry S. decorated it."

"Wook, Mommy, Daddy!" Henry S. pointed his icing coated fingers to the designs on the door.

Gabe raked his finger across the thick white goop and licked the tip. "Yep, cake icing. That's our boy."

Henry S. ran for Casey, his sticky hands extended, but Gabe caught him before he plastered them all over Casey's wedding dress, then swung him in the air just as Jenna dashed up to rescue them.

Casey laughed as he climbed in the car behind her. "I love you, Gabe."

Gabe covered her mouth with a smoldering kiss. "I love you, Casey, and I love Henry S."

They closed the car door against flying birdseed and Gabe pulled her into his embrace, then brushed his lips over hers. "Hmm. Just think we have six whole days to make love."

Casey looped her arms around his neck. "We could find a spot for each letter of the alphabet. How about Acapulco?"

Gabe nibbled Casey's ear. "Good idea, but better yet, how about the airplane?"

The End