Dream a Little Dream (Chicago Stars, #4)(87)

“That’s all right.” Rachel smiled. “It is a mausoleum. Everybody knew that but Dwayne.”

The stove timer went off, distracting Jane. Cal swept Rosie up from the kitchen floor, where she’d been happily chewing on Horse’s grubby ear. She let out an earsplitting shriek of protest and kicked her hard baby shoes, catching her father in the thigh.


His yelp amused Ethan. “Aim higher next time, Rosie Posie. That’ll really get the old man’s attention.”

Edward retrieved his rabbit from the floor and handed it back to Rosie, who immediately quieted. They all moved through the family room to the deck.

As Rachel stepped outside, she remembered that rainy day a little more than two weeks ago when she and Gabe had first made love. Gabe must have remembered, too, because he turned his head to look at her, and something warm flickered in those cool silver eyes.

Contrary to Cal’s warning, Jane didn’t serve either wheat-germ muffins or tofu. Instead, they enjoyed a fragrant omelet casserole filled with chunks of mushrooms and tangy bits of apple, along with a fresh-fruit compote, blueberry coffee cake, and some wonderful mimosas.

While the adults gathered around the umbrella table, Edward sat next to the small mesh-sided play yard where Rosie was confined so she didn’t get splinters from the deck. Rachel loved watching him as he dangled toys in front of her face, tickled her tummy, and made funny faces to entertain her.

It didn’t take Rachel long to see how much Jane and Cal cared for each other. The former quarterback’s expression, so unfriendly when he looked at Rachel, grew almost luminous whenever he gazed at his wife. They seemed to make excuses to touch each other: a brush of the hand here, a touch on the arm there, glances exchanged, smiles traded. And they both clearly adored their feisty blond-haired daughter.

But there were also some disturbing undercurrents at the table. Although she was accustomed to Ethan’s dislike, Cal’s hostility toward her had a colder edge to it, and she suspected he was even more protective of Gabe than his younger brother. To make matters worse, Ethan and Kristy seemed to be going out of their way not to look at each other, and Gabe was so tense she could almost hear him ping. She knew how difficult it was for him to be part of a family gathering when he no longer had a family of his own.

It was Cal who brought up the subject of the drive-in. “Can’t believe what you’ve done with that place.”

Ethan jumped in. “He took the biggest eyesore in the county and made it into something.”

Both of them went on in falsely hearty tones, telling Gabe how great it was to have the drive-in open again and what a service he was rendering the community. Neither of them referred to Gabe’s old life. It was as if his veterinary practice, along with his wife and son, had never existed. And the more they talked, the tenser Gabe became until Rachel couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Gabe, tell them about Tweety Bird.”

“Nothing much to tell.”

“Tweety Bird’s a baby sparrow that Gabe’s been nursing back to health.”

Gabe shrugged, and that small gesture was all his brothers needed to jump in and rescue him from a topic he might not want to discuss.

“That fireworks display went over really big last night. Rosie loved it, didn’t she, Jane?”

Ethan nodded. “It was a great idea. And I know the families in this town are going to appreciate having a place to take their kids without spending a bundle.”

Acting on pure instinct, Rachel leaned forward. “Gabe’s building an aviary in back of the cottage to get the bird acclimated to the outdoors.”

Gabe regarded her with irritation. “It’s no big deal, Rachel.”

Now she had all three Bonner brothers scowling at her. Only Jane and Kristy watched her with interest. “I think it is. Taking care of that scrawny little bird makes you happy. The drive-in doesn’t.”

“Tweety Bird isn’t scrawny!” Edward exclaimed.

Gabe pushed himself abruptly back from the table. “Coffee’s running low. I’ll make a fresh pot.” He disappeared through the patio doors.

Cal leaned back in his chair and stared at her with steely gray eyes. “Are you deliberately trying to make my brother unhappy?”

“Cal . . .”

He reacted to his wife’s interjection with a small movement of his hand, wordlessly silencing her. Dr. Jane Darlington Bonner didn’t look like the sort of woman who could be easily silenced, so Rachel sensed that her shrug of acceptance was voluntary. Maybe she had decided this confrontation was inevitable and that Rachel was tough enough to take him on.

“I’ve told Ethan the same thing I’m going to tell you,” Rachel said. “Stop pampering him. Running the Pride of Carolina isn’t what he should be doing with his life, and both of you need to stop acting as if he’s involved in something wonderful. Gabe’s a vet, and that’s what he needs to be doing.”

“You think you know my brother better than his own family?” Cal said coldly.


“Yeah, I guess I do.”

Gabe reappeared. “Coffee should be ready soon.”

Ethan’s gaze flickered from his older brother back to Gabe. “There’s a ball in the garage. Let’s throw it around while Mr. Quarterback cleans up the kitchen. You want to come with us, Edward?”