Gabe (In the Company of Snipers, #8)(70)

Kelsey nodded, her forehead on Shelby’s shoulder. “I just... miss him,” she finally said, her voice cracking. “He’s the kindest man I’ve ever known. He loved me when I wasn’t worth loving. When I made the worst mistakes a mother could make. When I...” her voice broke, and Shelby kept rocking. She couldn’t cure grief but she would sit with Kelsey for as long as was needed.

“You’ve taught me a lot while I’ve been here, and the greatest thing you and Alex had was your love for each other. Don’t let it go. Don’t ever stop believing in him.”

“But everyone says he’s dead,” Kelsey cried, her tears a river she couldn’t seem to stop. “What if they’re right? What if I really am crazy?”

“Don’t listen to them.” Shelby kept rocking, surprised at the conviction she felt. “Listen to your heart. That’s the only thing that will last. Your heart and his. No one and nothing else counts. There is no loved. Only loves. Remember?”

Kelsey murmured something Shelby couldn’t understand, but it didn’t matter. She rested her chin on Kelsey’s head and held on. She’d come to the Stewarts’ house expecting a couple of weeks of easy employment. Instead, she’d found one of the greatest truths.


Love like Kelsey’s love for Alex transcended time and space, and maybe eternity. The day might come when she could finally stand alone and face the hard facts, whatever they were, but until then, Shelby planned to stay with Kelsey for as long as necessary. And beyond.

At last the tears ceased. Kelsey wiped her face and the women got up off the floor. Shelby gave the toilet one more flush.

“Thanks, Shelby,” Kelsey said, her face drawn and her eyes red again. “I’m going brush my teeth and go to bed. I’ve had enough.”

“I’ll help you get ready.”

“No. That’s okay.” Kelsey lifted her chin and eyed the face of grief in the mirror. “I’ll feel better in the morning.”

“I’ll come check on you in a little bit.”

“Thanks, Shelby. Good night.”

By the time the guys decided to come in from the back porch, Shelby had a full head of steam. Things had to change, but one look at Gabe and her anger dissipated. The guy was seriously sick. His cheeks were flushed and his lips dry.

“Are you hungry?” she asked. “I could warm up some chicken soup.”

“No. Just tired. Mark’s sending another guy over to assist tomorrow. I’m going to take a nap until the next perimeter check.”

“Hit the sack,” Zack said. “I’ll walk the ’hood tonight. You get feeling better.”

“But you should eat first,” Shelby persisted. “You haven’t even had breakfast. At least get something to drink before you lie down.”

“No. I’m good.” Gabe headed toward the front room floor. With a flick of his wrist, his sleeping bag unfurled, followed by two pillows. He dropped to his knees, still fully dressed and stretched across his bed for the night—the floor.

Shelby cringed. It hadn’t dawned on her. Gabe and Zack endured sub-standard accommodations to protect Kelsey. And her. Yet they’d never complained.

I’m such a bitch.

She opened Kelsey’s cupboards and fixed a hot toddy with an extra shot of whiskey from the Stewarts’ bounteous liquor cabinet. She recognized some of the labels. Jamison Irish whiskey. Jack Daniels Single Barrel. Grey Goose vodka. Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum. Interesting. Alex must’ve liked his drink at the end of a hard day.

Crouching beside Gabe, she said, “Here. Take this.”

The poor guy had his arm covering his eyes from the kitchen light. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”

“It’s just a hot drink. It will help you sleep.”

He lifted to one elbow. “What is it?”

“A hot toddy. I figured you could use one tonight.”

Exhausted green eyes regarded her carefully before he accepted the cup, downing the drink in one long gulp. His Adam’s apple bobbed, drawing her attention to the ragged edge of the black polo he always wore. Everything about him seemed like he needed someone to look out for him. Someone to care.

He handed the empty cup back. “Thanks. That was thoughtful.”

When he leaned onto his pillow, she smoothed a hand over his forehead. “I’m worried about you. You’re burning up.”

He closed his eyes with a sigh. “Of course I am. I’ve got a hot chick’s hand on my face.”

She pulled her fingers back, startled he’d taken her compassionate service for something else, and hoping he hadn’t noticed what her nipples were busy doing—standing up and begging for attention like cheerleaders with pompoms. If this kept up, she’d need a padded bra.

“Do you want more ibuprofen?”

“No, ma’am. Just sleep. I’m dogged.”

“Get some rest, Gabe. Good night.”

“Good night, Shelby.”





Chapter Twenty-One


The pictures on the mantle haunted Gabe. Kelsey had an easy way with children. Giggling. Happy. He’d seen her with Zack’s girls in the past. She should have a house full. Why didn’t she? Kids would make her happy. Like she used to be.

Damn. So much death. Nothing seemed fair. Not Darrell. Not Alex. Not those cute little brown-haired boys on the mantle. Sure as hell not this lumpy bedroll.