Page 104 of Tempting Fate
“You’re the worthiest man I’ve ever known.” She choked on a sob. “But you’re a little blind where I’m concerned.”
“Nope,” he said again, and cupped her face with both hands. “My eyes are wide open. And you know what I see? I see the most beautiful woman in the world standing before me. Inside and out. Here.” He clasped her face. “And here.” He touched her heart. “I want you to stay, Raylene. I want to see where we go. But I understand that you’re trying to wrest back control of your life, and I won’t get in the way of that. You have to do what’s right for you, even if it means going back to LA.”
She swiped at her cheeks, wiping away tears. “That’s why I love you.”
He wanted to saythen just stay, but it had to be her decision. She’d already had too many men in her life telling her what to do. He wouldn’t be one of them. He couldn’t be responsible for her happiness, but he wanted her to have absolute fulfillment with every fiber of his body. And that meant letting her go if he had to.
“Let’s go eat,” he said, and took her hand.
* * * *
There were at least six cars in the driveway when Raylene pulled up to the farmhouse. The dinner was supposed to be a small family affair.
“What’s all this?” she asked Gabe, who’d parked alongside her and had come to her truck door.
He shrugged and leaned in to kiss her. “Dunno. Looks like Annie invited a few more people. You okay with that?”
“Do I have a choice?” Since the arrests, and her rejecting the offer from Moto Entertainment, she’d been treated well by her old nemeses. But Raylene knew better than to think that would last. “It’s one dinner.” By tomorrow morning she’d be on the road to Los Angeles. She felt a pang in her heart and tried to ignore it. “Sit by me, okay?”
“You got it.”
Gabe took her hand and together they walked into the house. When they entered the dining room a loud cheer went up. Raylene gazed around the table to see Harper, both sets of her parents, and all her siblings; Lucky, Tawny, and their daughter, Katie; Cecilia and Jake; Gia and Flynn; and Dana and her husband sitting there. She swallowed hard, uncomfortable with the attention. But when Harper begged Raylene to sit by her, a smile blossomed in her chest. Gabe shuffled around some chairs and both of them took places next to Harper.
Logan came over, squeezed her shoulder, and whispered, “What were the two of you up to?”
Raylene started to say something, but Gabe interrupted her. “Private stuff.” He locked eyes with Logan in a silent warning.
“Private, huh?” Logan grinned and started to say more, but Annie shot him a death glare.
“Everything is ready.” Donna came out of the kitchen. “So sit your butts down.”
“I’d like to make a toast before we get started.” Drew stood up. Someone filled Raylene’s goblet with wine and when no one was looking, Gabe replaced it with a glass of water. “To Raylene, who stood up to the bad guys and who we’re blessed to call a friend. To your bravery and quick thinking, and for protecting Harper.” With wet eyes he held Raylene’s gaze, clearly not wanting to say more in front of his daughter.
“Hear, hear!” everyone shouted.
Logan made the next toast. “To my sister. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around, and I’m so lucky to have her.” He pointed his finger at her and winked. “Don’t go changing.”
She laughed, then tried to yank Gabe down when he stood up.
“My turn.” He raised his glass. “To the best person I know. I love you, Ray. No matter what you decide to do, my heart will be with you.” He sat back down and the room went instantly quiet, not entirely sure what that had been about.
Annie, sensing there was something highly personal going on in a room full of people, decided to change the subject, thank goodness. “We’re doing this buffet style. Everyone grab a plate and come on into the kitchen.”
The guests began moving toward the food. When the coast was clear, Raylene mouthed to Gabe, “I can’t. I just can’t.” But the thought of leaving him tomorrow made her heart fold in half.
“Do what you gotta do,” he whispered, and for the first time in her life she didn’t feel pressure to bend to someone else’s will. This was her choice. She had all the power.
“Let’s eat, baby.” He guided her into the kitchen where casseroles lined the counters.
Someone had smoked a brisket and there was fried chicken, pork ribs, and grilled vegetable skewers. Annie’s refrigerator was already jammed with soups and dishes people had brought while Raylene was convalescing from her attack. Gabe filled her plate, then his, and they went back to the dining room to take their seats.
“You look a lot better,” Harper said. She’d been over a few times to visit Raylene.
“Thanks.” Raylene had covered some of the bruising with makeup, but for the most part the swelling was gone.
Everyone began talking at once, and the room hummed with chatter as everyone ate. Under the table, Gabe rested his hand on her knee. She laced her fingers through his and they sat that way throughout dinner.
Clay made his way over. “You got a second to talk?”
