Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno #3)(8)

“What was that?” She shook off his hand.

“Nothing.”

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

When he opened his eyes, he appeared calmer. “If you start now, you should be able to rewrite your paper in time for the conference. I can help.”

“I don’t want your help. And I can’t change my thesis. They’ve already published the abstract on the conference website.”

“I’ll call Katherine.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “She’ll understand.”

“No, you won’t. I’m not changing it.”

Gabriel’s lips pressed together into a thin line.

“This is not the time to be stubborn.”

“Oh, yes, it is. It’s my paper!”

“Julianne, listen—”

“You’re worried I’ll make a fool of myself. And embarrass you.”

“I didn’t say that.”

She gave him a look that was wounded if not betrayed. “You just did.”

She stalked into the bedroom, attempting to close the door behind her. His hand shot out, stopping the door.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to get away from you.”

“Julianne, stop.” He gazed around helplessly. “We can talk about this.”

“No, we can’t.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “I’m not your student anymore. I’m allowed to have my own ideas.”

“That isn’t what I was saying at all.”

She ignored him and walked toward the bathroom.

“Julianne, damn it. Stop!” he bellowed from the doorway.

She whirled around.

“Don’t yell at me!”

He held his hands up in an expression of surrender and drew a deep breath.

“I’m sorry. Let’s sit down and talk.”

“I can’t talk to you right now without saying something I’ll regret. And you obviously need to cool down.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the bathroom. I’m locking the door and I’m going to avoid you for the rest of the day. If you don’t leave me alone, I’m going to my dad’s.”

Gabriel winced. She hadn’t stayed with her father since before they were married.

“How would you get there?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you without a car. I’ll call a cab.”

“There aren’t any cabs in town. You’ll have to call one in Sunbury.”

Julia glared. “I know that, Gabriel. I used to live here, remember? You must really think I’m an idiot.”

She walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Gabriel heard the lock click into place.

He paused for a moment before knocking on the door. “Rachel, Aaron, and Richard are arriving soon. What will I tell them?”

“Tell them I’m an idiot. Obviously.”

“Julianne, just listen to me. Please.”

He heard water running from behind the door.

“Fine!” He shouted. “Avoid me. Our first fight and you lock yourself in the God damned bathroom.” He smacked his palm against the door.

Abruptly, the water shut off.

She raised her voice in order to be heard. “My first public lecture and you tell me it’s shit. And not because it is, but because I didn’t agree with you and your own God damned book!”

After a lengthy hot bath, Julia emerged. The bedroom was empty.

She dressed quickly before entering the hall. She padded over to the staircase, listening.

Satisfied that the house was empty, she walked to the study and closed the door. Then she sat behind her desk, turned on some soft jazz as background noise, and returned to her paper.

“Where’s Julia?” Rachel hugged her brother before rolling her small suitcase and that of her husband, Aaron, into the living room. Her tall and willowy form was clad in a pair of khaki pants and a V-necked white T-shirt. Her long blond hair hung straight and perfect, pushed back from her attractive face by large black sunglasses. She looked like she could have starred in a Gap ad.

Gabriel’s expression tightened.

“She’s working on her paper.”

“Did you tell her we arrived?” Rachel moved to the foot of the stairs. “Jules! Get your ass down here!”

“Rachel, please,” her father said reprovingly before greeting Gabriel with a hug.

Richard stood an inch or two shorter than his son and had light hair and gray eyes. He was quiet and serious, and his intelligence and kindness engendered respect in all who knew him.

When there was no movement upstairs, Rachel turned to her brother, gray eyes narrowed.

“Why is she hiding?”

Gabriel shook Aaron’s hand in greeting. “She isn’t. She probably didn’t hear you.

“Your rooms are ready and there are fresh towels in the guest bathroom. Dad, you’re welcome to stay in your old room.”

“I’ll be fine in the guest room.” Richard picked up his bag and began climbing the stairs.

“Are you and Julia fighting?” Rachel gave Gabriel a suspicious look.

He pressed his lips together. “You can say hello when you go upstairs. Then we’ll meet for drinks on the back porch. I’m barbecuing ribs for dinner.”