Chapter 27 Gabriel
GAbrIEL
Hal wasn’t the best at texting, but he was great at emailing. Go figure. I emailed him earlier today to let him know I was going to pick up ingredients for dinner after wrapping up at the café.
When I got to the house, I didn’t see Hal yet. I wasn’t sure if he had poker night tonight, but I figured I would cook the turkey chili anyway, even if he was busy and we couldn’t eat together.
I’d finished tossing in the ground turkey, beans, onions, peppers, crushed tomatoes, and various spices when the door opened.
“Smells incredible, Gabe.” Hal pulled off his coat and toed off his boots. He was wearing his typical outfit: a warm flannel, white undershirt, and a pair of worn jeans. “Thanks for the meal. I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”
I gave the food another stir before setting the lid on top and turning the heat to medium-low to simmer.
“Yeah, I’m happy to,” I told him, walking around the counter and pulling out one of the stools to sit as Hal sat at the table right in front of me.
“I wasn’t sure if you had poker tonight or not. ”
“I don’t, but even if I did, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Not every day my grandson cooks for me.”
I knew Hal didn’t mean it that way, but it made me think of all the meals we’d missed.
How maybe I should’ve been making the drive over to cook dinner for him once in a while.
But…I was here now. That was what I was trying to focus on.
“I’m happy to do it. There’s also going to be plenty of leftovers, and I can make us something new next week.
My cooking abilities are…limited,” I admitted with a laugh.
“But chili, pasta, and burgers are my specialties.”
“Those happen to be my favorite foods,” Hal said.
When I eyed him skeptically, he simply grinned. I let out a low chuckle and moved from the stool over to one of the chairs at the table. “Food should be ready in about thirty minutes or so. Want to play a game of cards?” I offered.
He nodded. “I’d love to. What’d you have in mind?”
“What do you think about teaching me how to play poker?” When I’d attended poker night with Hal at Lake Ridge, it was just to watch, and I’d been meaning to ask him about the rules.
Hal’s eyes glistened as he looked over at me. “I’d like that very much. Let me go grab the cards. Why don’t you go and grab some chocolate from the cabinet. I should have a bag of Hershey’s Kisses in there.”
“Chocolate?” I asked as Hal went down the hallway toward the living room.
“You’re a beginner! I’m not going to swindle you out of money. Not yet, at least. I’ll teach you how to play first.”
I grinned to myself as I shook my head. Fair enough.
“I’m bound to win at least once, right?” I asked as Hal shuffled. We’d been playing poker for the last couple of hours, only taking a break to eat dinner once it was ready.
Hal dealt us another hand. “Maybe. I do have decades, upon decades, of experience. Does feel good to win, though. Lately, over at Lake Ridge, Cooper has been cleaning me out.”
A comfortable silence fell over us. I thought back to my conversation with Lily a few days ago, about how she encouraged me to talk to Hal about Vera.
The thought made me anxious, but there never would be a right time.
I peeked at my cards before setting my hand on them, tapping my fingers against the wooden table.
“I wish I would’ve been here for Vera’s funeral. I’m sorry that I wasn’t.” I stumbled over my words, breaking the silence between us. I regretted it for a split second, but when Hal set his cards down on the table and looked over at me with a gentle, understanding smile, I had no regrets.
“I know, Gabe. I never doubted it for a second that you would’ve been here. I thought the message would get to you, but clearly, I shouldn’t have made that assumption.”
“He told me a few weeks after the fact. I should’ve reached out then, but…it felt like it was too late. I was, I don’t know, embarrassed? That I didn’t know. That I didn’t reach out sooner. In hindsight, I should’ve called you as soon as I found out.”
Hal slowly nodded as he said, “A call from you would’ve been nice, but I don’t hold any of that against you, Gabriel. Life is too short to live with regrets. What matters to me—what’s important to me—is that if you have regrets, you take that feeling and do something positive with it.”
I mulled over his words, truly letting them sink in.
If you have regrets, you take that feeling and do something positive with it.
“I’m trying to do that in Golden Falls.” Because I did have regrets.
I regretted aspects of my career and my lack of a relationship with Hal.
But being here allowed me to do something about both of those things.
“I was hoping that’d be the case.” Hal grabbed three pieces of chocolate and put them in the center of the table.
I did the same with my last three chocolates.
“I think spending time here has been good for you, including the time you’ve spent with Lily.
” Hal raised his brows, a knowing look on his face.
There was no way he knew about our kiss.
But then, what was up with that look? “Sounds like you two had a nice dinner.”
No, of course, he didn’t know. He was commenting about the dinner and that we had to be spending time together because of the list.
“I’ve liked spending time with her,” I admitted.
“I didn’t anticipate enjoying it so much, but…
” I paused, carefully thinking through my words.
“But I’ve liked getting to know her and learning about the town from her.
She’s incredibly talented and kind, and I’ve never met anyone like her.
She lights up whatever room she’s in, brightens the mood immediately.
She’s…sunshine. I don’t think she even realizes the positive impact she has on others. ”
“I thought the same thing when I first met your grandmother,” Hal admitted, a nostalgic smile on his face as his eyes twinkled.
“She was one of a kind. Always put others first but also didn’t hesitate to speak her mind if she didn’t like how something was being done.
When you find a woman like that and you’re lucky enough to get an ounce of her attention, you don’t let go. ”
I focused on what Hal was saying about Vera, because if I thought too deeply, I would start to wonder if my time with Lily could turn into something more—and it couldn’t.
But I wondered what about us together made Hal say that. Was it our dinner? The time spent together at the café? Something else he saw?
I flicked my thumb along the edge of the cards, fairly confident I was going to lose this round, too. “Will you tell me more about Vera?”
“Be careful what you ask, son. How much time do you have?” Hal glanced over at the clock.
“I have all the time in the world.” I let out a low chuckle, shrugging. “And nowhere else I’d rather be.”
And I truly meant it.
The rest of the week went by quickly, and before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve, which meant the town’s Christmas festival and an opportunity to check off a few things on Lily’s wish list.
The two of us spent the morning together at the café as customers came in to pick up their orders.
It all went well. Tiffany’s husband was able to stay back with the kids, so she was able to come in and help Lily.
In fact, Lily had a whole team today with the help of her mom, friends, Tiffany, and me.
All the orders were made on time, and pickup was a breeze.
She handled everything with confidence and excitement—while wearing a Santa hat. She looked fucking adorable.
Once all the orders were picked up, Lily closed the café early for the day, and as if right on cue, the first snowfall of the winter started and hadn’t stopped.
Thick, heavy flakes had been falling for the last six hours, at least. I lost count of how many times I went outside to shovel Hal’s driveway and sidewalk.
Most people, including Lily, were thrilled about the timing of the snow. A Christmas miracle, she’d said.
My Christmas miracle would be once all the lights and decorations got taken down.
I’d gone back inside from the latest round of shoveling snow and was prepared to start getting ready for tonight when my phone rang. “Hey, Liam. What’s up?” I answered, holding the phone up with my shoulder while pulling off my gloves and hat.
“Merry Christmas Eve, man!” I could tell Liam was grinning without seeing him, the joy radiating over the call.
“I know you’ll likely turn me down, but you know I have to remind you anyway.
There’s a spot with your name on it if you want to join my family for the holidays, either today, tomorrow, or both. ”
Even though I’d never taken Liam up on it, he always called and offered. No matter what. “Thanks, man, but I actually have plans of my own this year. I’m not working for once and…I’m spending both days in Golden Falls.”
“No shit.” Liam chuckled. “That’s great. What’re you up to?”
Liam and I had texted here and there over the weeks, so I’d been able to fill him in on how things had been going at the café, getting through Lily’s list, and reconnecting with Hal. What I hadn’t told him about was the kiss.
“Things have gotten…interesting around here,” I said slowly. “I’m going to the Christmas festival tonight with Lily.”
“Lily,” he said, not missing a beat. “The blue-eyed blonde you haven’t been able to stop talking about?”
“I don’t remember not being able to stop talking about her,” I argued, although there was hesitation in my voice. Had I been talking that much about her? “And I’m only talking about her because we have to complete this list together.”
“Uh huh.” Liam sounded unconvinced. “Are you two going to this Christmas festival together as a date?”
“No,” I said quickly. A little too quickly, apparently, because Liam barked a laugh. “Not a date at all. There’s a couple things on her list that we’ll be able to check off tonight. I’m also spending Christmas with her, her family, and Hal tomorrow.”
“Sounds festive,” Liam said, and I could imagine his grin. “And romantic.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You do know how this goes, right?” Liam asked, as if it was obvious. When I didn’t say anything, he continued. “First, you’re going to start to love Christmas because it’ll remind you of her…and then you’re going to fall in love with Lily. Haven’t you seen a romantic comedy?”
“Uh, no, I haven’t, actually.”
“We’ll change that as soon as you’re back. But, anyways, did you not hear what you said? You have actual plans for the holidays and aren’t working. I’ve been trying to get you to come over for dinner for years, but because Lily asked…” He trailed off, amusement lacing his voice.
“It’s not like that. I’m…I’m trying to spend more time with Hal. I’m trying to show him that I’m committed to the town.” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince Liam or myself.
“Don’t get me wrong—I think this is great. You’re not working over Christmas, you’re spending time with people in town, and you sound less stressed. But face it. You like her.”
I stayed quiet for a moment, thinking over Liam’s words.
Did I sound less stressed? Was that because of Lily or something else?
With Liam’s reaction, I knew I couldn’t tell him about the kiss.
The practice kiss that I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about.
That would give him more evidence. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know her,” I said.
“But that’s all this is. I don’t want it to turn into anything more.
” Because Lily deserves something—someone—better.
Liam’s voice turned more serious, which was unusual for him. “Keep an open mind, alright? You never know what might happen.”
I grunted noncommittally, which seemed to be enough for him.
“And, hey, if you need advice or tips, I’m your guy,” Liam added.
I held back a laugh, shaking my head. “You haven’t had the best track record with women. I don’t know if I trust your tips. Why don’t you tell me about what you’re up to on Christmas instead?”
Liam and I continued chatting as I finished getting ready.
Tonight, I opted for a long-sleeve, dark-green Henley shirt and pair of dark-wash jeans instead of my typical dress shirt and pants. I had on my usual coat, along with an extra hat and pair of gloves in case Lily forgot hers.
And then I left to meet Lily to check a couple more things off her list.