Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno #1)(160)

“Thanks, but my dad asked me to meet him at Kinfolks for breakfast at nine.”

“I’ll drive you. Just let me whip up some pancakes first.”

Richard disappeared, and Julia sat next to Rachel on the couch, putting her arm around her friend’s shoulders.

“What happened?”

“I had a fight with Aaron. He was moody this morning, so I asked him what was wrong. He starting talking about the wedding and wondering if I was ever going to set a date. When I said I wanted to wait, he wanted to know how long.” She threw up her hands in frustration. “I told him what I said before — I don’t know. Then he asked if I wanted him to let me out of the engagement!”

Julia inhaled sharply in surprise.

“We never fight. But he was so upset that he couldn’t even look at me. Then in the middle of our conversation, he just walked out the front door and drove away. I have no idea where he went or if he’s even coming back,” Rachel sobbed.

Julia hugged her friend tightly. “Of course he’s coming back. I’m sure he was upset with himself for fighting with you and went for a drive to cool off.”

“Dad overhead us. So of course he wanted to know why I was delay-ing the wedding.” She wiped her eyes with her hands. “He said Aaron was right, I couldn’t put my life on hold. He said that Mom would be upset if she knew I was putting things off because of her.” Rachel’s face crumpled as her eyes filled with more tears.

“Your dad is right — you both deserve to be happy. Aaron loves you so much. He just wants to get married. He’s worried you’ve got cold feet.”

“I don’t have cold feet. I’ve loved him forever.”

“Then tell him that. He took you to an island to reconnect with you after the funeral. He’s been patient about everything. I’m sure he doesn’t care when the wedding is, he just wants to set a date.”

Rachel sniffled sadly. “I had no idea how upset he was.”

“Maybe you should eat some breakfast, then call him. He’ll have calmed down by then, and you two can go somewhere and talk. You can’t work things out here with so many people around.”

Rachel shuddered. “Thank God Scott didn’t walk in on us. He would have sided with me and pissed Aaron off even more.”

At that moment, the front door opened and closed and a tall, brown-haired man, sweaty from jogging, strolled into the living room. His hair was messy and damp, and he was wearing a black Nike jogging suit. As he approached the two women, he took a pair of ear buds out of his ears and pressed a button on his iPhone.

He looked at Rachel and Julia, frowning darkly. “What happened?”

“Aaron and I had a fight.” More tears fell down Rachel’s cheeks, leaving Gabriel stricken.

He walked over and pulled her into a hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m sorry, Rach. Where is he?”

“He left.”

He subtly shook his head in frustration. It pained him to see his sister cry.

Before he could ask for more details, Richard emerged from the kitchen, announcing that breakfast was served. “And Julia, if you can give me a few minutes, I’ll take you to Kinfolks.”

Gabriel released Rachel. “What’s happening?”

“Julia needs to meet her father at nine.”

Gabriel looked at his watch. “It’s not even eight-thirty.”

“That’s okay. I can just have a cup of coffee at the restaurant and wait for him.” Julia avoided Gabriel’s gaze. She didn’t want to be an inconvenience.

“Let me shower and I’ll drive you. I have to stop by my real estate agent’s house anyway.”

Julia nodded and the three of them entered the kitchen while Gabriel went upstairs. Over blueberry pancakes, Rachel produced something from her purse and fastened it around Julia’s neck.

She touched the pearl necklace with surprise. “What’s this?”

“They were Mom’s. We wanted you to have something of hers.”

“I can’t, Rachel. You should have them.”

“I have other things,” she said, smiling.

“What about Scott?”

Rachel giggled. “Scott said they weren’t his style.”

“We wanted you to have them.” Richard looked at her kindly.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course!” Rachel hugged her friend, grateful for the opportunity to return her kindness in some tangible way.

Julia was overwhelmed, but she fought back tears for Richard’s sake.

“Thank you. Thank you both.”

He pressed a fatherly kiss to the top of her head. “Grace would have been so happy to see you wearing something of hers.”

“I should thank Scott.”

Rachel rolled her eyes and stifled a snort. “He won’t be up till noon.

Aaron and I had to turn the stereo on last night to block out the sounds of him snoring. We could hear him through the wal s.” She looked up into her father’s slightly disapproving face. “Sorry, Dad, but it’s the truth. Anyway, just bring your dad to dinner tomorrow night, Julia, and you’ll be able to thank Scott then.”

Julia nodded, fingering the pearls thoughtfully, marveling at their smooth spherical shape.