Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1)(58)

“But—” Really? Addison, the most prepared, in-charge woman he’d ever met. The one who didn’t want people messing around in her life and didn’t want people making decisions that affected her daughter?

“Gabe,” Addison said softly, “you’ve got this. Go with your gut. Whatever you think Stella needs, I know it will be right. I know you love her. So just . . . take care of her.”

Gabe swallowed. This was a big deal. For Addison. For him. He could be honest and admit that he didn’t always trust his gut, even with Cooper. He relied on his mom and Logan giving input. And he knew his mom would certainly help give advice with Stella, too, but for Addison to give this over to him . . . it was terrifying.

“Ad, that’s . . .”

“I know,” she said when he trailed off. “I know it is.”

He blew out a breath, his eyes on Stella. “Okay.”

“Do you want me to drive home now? I can,” she offered. “We got the big stuff done. We were just going to finalize things over breakfast, but we can do that on the phone, too.”

Gabe kind of wanted her to drive home now. But that was ridiculous. “It’s the middle of the night,” he said. “And you shouldn’t be driving into this storm. No, we’re good. I’ve got this.”

“Okay.”

He heard the smile in her voice.

“I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Addison said. “I’ll head out as soon as I can.”

“No problem. We’ll see you then.”

“Okay. Good night. And thank you. And . . . I love you,” she said softly.

His heart thumped. “I love you, too.”

And yeah, he wanted those little ears to hear that, too.

“You should also know,” Addison said, “that you being there for my daughter during a storm at two a.m. is really freaking sexy.”

He gave a rough chuckle. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Very.”

“Well, you might have to prove it.”

“I can rent another limo.”

He felt the tightness in his chest loosen slightly. “Or we could do a little laundry when you get back.”

“Yes,” she said with her own husky laugh. “Yes, we definitely will do that.”

They disconnected a moment later. Just as another boom of thunder shook the house. Gabe sighed as Stella clutched the dog against her chest.

Okay, so it was just air, and lightning couldn’t get to them inside, and all of that. Stella knew in her head that she was safe. But she needed to feel it, too.

“I have an idea,” Gabe said. “What if we went over to Stella’s house for the rest of the night? You might feel better in your own house.”

Stella looked at the window where the rain continued to beat against the house. “Go outside?”

“Yeah, Dad, that’s where the lightning is,” Cooper said, tipping his head to look up at Gabe.

Gabe nodded. “Yes, it is.” He opened the Internet browser on his phone and typed in lightning strikes. Clearly, both these kids appreciated facts and information. He started reading out loud. “Number one. If you find yourself outside in a thunderstorm, take shelter immediately.” He looked up at the kids. “Well, I guess maybe we should just stay here, then.”

Stella nodded, and Cooper giggled. “Duh,” he said.

Gabe couldn’t disagree. “Okay, so then what?” He kept reading from the web page. “Stay away from windows.” He looked down at Cooper. “I guess you need to stay right here, then.”

He hugged him, and Coop giggled again. “Guess so.”

“Number three says to not touch anything metal or plugged in.” He looked around. “Okay, I have another idea.”

He stood Cooper up, then got to his feet. He held out his hand to Stella. “There’s really only one way to do this.”

Was he gambling here? Maybe a little. Did he know for sure this would make her feel better? Not for sure. But his gut told him that Stella could use a little less independence tonight.

She reached out and took his hand without hesitation and let him pull her to her feet. Then with Cooper’s hand in his on one side and Stella’s on the other, Gabe took them into his bedroom. He closed the curtains over his windows, he unplugged everything in the room, he grabbed a flashlight from his dresser drawer, and he made a tent over the bed.

Then he held one side up and said, “Thunderstorm-proof tent.”

Both kids grinned.

“I’ve only got one flashlight,” Gabe said, “but we can use my phone, too.”

“Wait, I’ve got flashlights!” Cooper turned and ran out of the room, returning a minute later and dumping five mini-flashlights, the kind that would clip onto key rings, onto the bed.

“Where did you get all of those?” Gabe asked.

“I collect them,” Cooper told him with a shrug.

“I gave him that one,” Stella said, pointing at a bright-red one. “We had it at home, but we don’t use it.”

“I didn’t know you collect flashlights,” Gabe said. This was new information. That Stella knew but Gabe didn’t. Interesting.

Cooper just nodded and crawled inside the tent, and Gabe dropped the topic. He couldn’t deny that Cooper’s collection was coming in handy tonight. Stella followed him in, and they began turning on all the flashlights. Gabe ducked under the tent as well, lying down next to Cooper. They all settled onto their backs, looking up at the various circles of light on the dark-purple blanket overhead that made the tent glow with a soft purple light. The storm still raged outside, but the sound was muted inside the cozy tent.