A Forever Christmas(36)

“Why?” she asked. “You told me you were retiring, Eduardo, remember? All that fishing you wanted to do.”

Eduardo made a dismissive noise. “The fish are not going anywhere—and neither am I yet, old woman,” he informed her. “I have much to teach this young woman before I go.”

Miss Joan snorted. “Seems to me, it’s the other way around, Eduardo. I don’t remember ever seeing anything come out of your kitchen that looked half as good as what that little girl whipped up time after time today. All out of her head, all beautiful to look at.”

Just like Angel, Gabe caught himself thinking.

“Then perhaps it is time you went to Pine Ridge hospital and had those failing eyes of your checked out,” Eduardo forcefully “suggested.”

“I see everything just fine,” Miss Joan answered with finality. “Including just what’s going on. Can’t pull the wool over my eyes, Eduardo, so stop trying.”

Only Gabe saw the grin on the finely lined face. Miss Joan winked broadly at him as she continued hassling the cook she couldn’t do without.

She lowered her voice so that this part of the conversation was strictly between her and Gabe. “Angel’s welcome to work here for as long as she wants,” she told him.

Nodding, Gabe said, “Thanks,” and then, satisfied that Angel was all right, he took his leave again.

“No,” Miss Joan called after him. “Thank you,” she countered with emphasis.

He merely grinned just before walking out.

* * *

GABE RETURNED TO the diner when his shift was over. He was there to pick up Angel, assuming that her shift ended around the same time his did. He’d never paid attention to the comings and goings of the diner’s staff. All he knew was that Miss Joan and Eduardo, her sparring partner, opened together and closed together.

He was fairly confident that Miss Joan would cut Angel some slack, especially since this was Angel’s first day on the job.

On his way over to the diner, he stopped to make a pickup just prior to pulling up in front of the silver eatery. At the last minute, he decided to leave what he’d picked up on the passenger’s side in the truck for the time being.

No point in letting everyone else in Forever see and have a reason to rag on him.

Walking into the diner, he found the place to be fuller than the hour customarily warranted. But since Miss Joan’s diner was considered an unofficial gathering place for friends out to kill time and couples who wanted somewhere to sit and gaze into each other’s eyes, Gabe just thought some meeting or other had been declared.

It wasn’t until he was almost at the counter—and paying closer attention—that he realized that if there was a club meeting, the club centered around Angel and its members were comprised of all men.

There had to be at least ten seated or standing around her now, either vying for her attention or just absorbing her presence.

Miss Joan was the first to see him approaching. Like a regal queen, she beckoned him over to her.

As it turned out, the counter was far less crowded on her end than it was where Angel was seated. The young woman’s back was to him.

“Business hasn’t been this good since…well, I don’t remember when,” Miss Joan confessed openly. “That girl of yours turned out to be a gold mine—not to mention a treasure.”

Gabe was about to protest—again—that Angel was not his girl, but as he opened his mouth, he was somewhat less inclined to make the disclaimer in light of the group of men all focused on Angel.

Watching even for a second, Gabe felt something exceedingly territorial stirring within him. He wasn’t accustomed to feeling that way and he wasn’t quite sure how to shake off the feeling—or if he even wanted to.

So all he said was, “Glad it’s working out for everyone,” and left it at that.

At the sound of his voice, Angel immediately turned around. The smile that rose to her lips was nothing short of beatific.

“Gabe,” she called out. Delight and relief—and perhaps something more—echoed in her voice. The next second, she was getting off the counter stool she’d been perched on and making her way over to him.

Gabe found himself not just captivated by the look in her brilliant blue eyes but almost falling into their fathomless depths, as well.

He was going to need to watch himself. Otherwise, things that he didn’t want to happen just might do exactly that.