Finding Isadora(108)
As the discussion got underway, I watched him, fascinated. This was a different Gabriel than the man who’d held the audience spellbound at the fundraiser. Then, he’d deliberately commanded attention. Now, he as adroitly played the role of the facilitator. He gathered ideas, made sure everyone had their say and was treated with respect, then neatly pulled together the threads and presented suggestions.
He was brilliant. And he was mine.
I tried not to let our eyes meet and I could tell he was doing the same, but every once in a while it happened and I felt as if everyone else in the room faded away.
“Gabriel?”
He jerked his head toward the man who’d spoken. “Sorry, Ravi, what did you say?”
“You’re kind of distracted this afternoon.”
“Haven’t been getting much sleep lately.” His eyes flicked to mine.
It was so brief no-one could have noticed. At least that’s what I thought until I glanced in Grace’s direction and found her staring at me. Her wide eyes assessed my face, then studied Gabriel, then came back to me. She raised her eyebrows in a question.
I blushed. There was no way I could stop myself.
She grabbed Jimmy Lee’s arm, yanked his head down, and whispered in his ear. He glanced my way, shook his head, appeared to argue with Grace.
I turned away from both of them. It wasn’t that I minded them knowing, it was just so embarrassing to be caught out this way.
About ten minutes later, Gabriel said, “Okay, enough for now. Let’s take a refreshment break, then we’ll tackle the media campaign.”
I rose, muscles aching—partly due to sitting on the floor but mostly thanks to hours of love-making. “What can I bring you?” I asked Henry.
“It’s okay. I need some exercise.” He flexed his hands over the wheelchair grips and pushed himself across the room. I watched him go, knowing one day he’d need an automated chair. With the cuts in funding, would he ever be able to get it?
A firm hand grasped my arm and Grace tugged me into the corner he’d deserted. “You and Gabriel?” she asked softly. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Last night. I, uh, haven’t had time to call you.”
She gave a wicked chuckle. “I can well believe Gabriel’s given you better things to do than phone your mother.”
“We figured Richard should know first.”
Jimmy Lee joined us, a bottle of beer in one hand and two glasses of juice in the other. Handing us the juice, he said, “Grace has this notion in her head about you and Gabe.”
“She’s right,” I confirmed.
My mother shook her head. “I’d noticed the tension between you, and wondered. But you persuaded me it was just awkwardness with a future in-law.”
“You and Gabe?” Jimmy Lee still looked confused.
“Yes,” I told him. To Grace, I said, “He and I were in denial, trying to pretend the feelings didn’t exist, or that we could control them.”
“Huh,” my dad said.
Unable to resist, I asked, “So what do you two think?”
“He’s a fine man,” Grace said, “as well as a hottie.”
“Hottie,” Jimmy Lee muttered, rolling his eyes. Then he frowned. “Isn’t he a little old for you?”
“You’re being ageist? I can’t believe it.”
His eyes widened. It was rare anyone caught Jimmy Lee Wheeler making any stereotypical or prejudicial comment. “Sorry. Yeah, Grace is right, he’s a good guy.”
My mother put her arm around my waist and hugged me. “If he makes you happy, that’s great. But, Isadora, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Gabriel won’t hurt me.”
“Not intentionally. But hon, what about all your plans for marriage and children, owning your own home? That doesn’t sound like Gabriel.”
No, it didn’t. A shiver of uncertainty trickled its chilly way down my spine. “Give us time, Grace. We’ve only just gotten together.”
“Fair enough. But Isadora, this time don’t ignore the issues, okay? Like you did with Richard?”
Slowly I shook my head. “I won’t.” Funny how with Gabriel and I, things such as being vegetarian and bonding with animals wouldn’t be a problem. No, our issues had to be the truly major ones…
“You’re telling Richard soon?” Grace asked.
“Gabriel’s talking to him tomorrow. I offered to, but he insisted. I’m worried how Richard will react. He’ll be so hurt, and when he’s hurt he gets cold and angry. He and Gabriel were just starting to grow closer…” I sighed.
“Be patient with Richard. You love the man, so I know he has many good qualities. If he’s reasonable, and if you and Gabriel matter to him, he’ll find a way of dealing with it.”
Jimmy Lee strode purposefully over to Gabriel. “Oh-oh,” I said. “What do you think he’s going to say?”
“Something clumsy but well-intentioned,” Grace said ruefully, and we exchanged fond, knowing smiles. “If that was Richard,” she said, “rather than Gabriel, you’d rush over to protect him.”
“Gabriel can look after himself.”
We watched as the two men went off in a corner of their own and engaged in an animated discussion. “Two uncut diamonds,” Grace said, reaching for my hand.