Chapter 50
CHAPTER FIFTY
ROSE
“Isee it now.”
I turned to find my son gazing out the window and walked over to see what had captured his attention.
Jasmine sat on the fence, a huge smile splitting her face as Gabe stood in front of her.
He had a handful of wildflowers, and one by one, he tucked them behind her ears and wove them into her braid.
My granddaughter leaned forward to kiss him softly, and he cupped her face in his hands.
When he pulled back, the look of reverence he wore made my chest ache with longing.
My Joseph had looked at me that way. Gabe reminded me so much of him.
Maybe that was why I’d always been in his corner.
I saw through to the very heart of him and knew he would be good for Jasmine, that he would love her like she deserved to be loved.
“See what?” I asked, taking a sip of my coffee.
“The love he has for her. The bond they share. I didn’t get it before, but I do now,” he admitted. “He adores her and makes her happy.”
“I guess it’s a good thing you got your head out of your ass and started listening to the women in this family.”
He chuckled and shook his head. As usual, he knew I was right.
Elwood had a good heart, but he didn’t have a woman’s intuition.
RaeAnne and I had seen past the age gap and the unconventional nature of their relationship to recognize the soul deep connection Gabriel and Jasmine shared.
The way he watched over her, the way he put her wants and needs ahead of his own; it was so obvious to see they were meant for each other.
“I think I knew deep down that he truly cared for her that day he stepped in when Rowan grabbed her arm. I thought Gabe was going to knock his head off. He didn’t care that Rowan could break him like a twig.
He was willing to stand up for my daughter and protect her despite the risk.
It took me a while to reconcile that version of him with the idea I had in my head when I saw that video.
I’d been convinced he’d taken advantage of her youth and inexperience and manipulated her into a relationship. ”
“Son, I’ve caught that girl sneaking into the house in the wee hours of the morning. I hate to break it to you, but she’s not inexperienced.”
“Agh, Mom. I didn’t need to hear that,” he replied, his face twisting with disgust.
“Sorry,” I said with a shrug, not the least bit apologetic.
“Truth hurts.” We watched for a little while longer.
Jasmine jumped off the fence and into Gabe’s arms. She threw her head back, a bright, beaming smile lighting up her entire face as Gabe spun her around.
When he finally stopped, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
It was quick, but passionate, the embrace full of fire.
He placed her on her feet and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers through hers.
His smile was so wide, his cheeks must’ve hurt.
“He’s a good man. Honorable and loyal. We’re lucky she finally found someone who might come close to deserving her,” I said. He nodded absently, agreement written across his face.
“I’ll still keep Dad’s old Winchester clean and in working order just in case he screws up,” Elwood said, and I spun on him, my eyes wide and mouth hanging open, a scathing reprimand on my tongue.
The words died in my throat, and I snapped my mouth shut when I saw his smirk and the mirth dancing in his eyes.
He took an unhurried sip of his coffee and turned to leave.
“You should see your face right now,” he teased as he walked away.
“I can still disinherit you,” I called as he slipped from the room, and his booming laugh echoed from the hallway.