Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE WHERE NOBODY CARRIED A GUN
Six months later, Gabriel moved into a house near Lake Michigan.
It had a garden.
A wide porch.
And a kitchen filled with sunlight.
I visited on a Saturday.
He opened the door himself.
Standing with a cane.
I smiled.
“Look at you.”
He grinned.
“Impressive?”
“Moderately.”
He laughed.
I stepped inside.
The house smelled of coffee.
Fresh bread.
And flowers.
No armed guards stood in the hallway.
No security radios crackled.
No one watched every door.
I looked around.
“It's beautiful.”
Gabriel nodded.
“I thought you might like it.”
I turned.
“What?”
He hesitated.
“Emily.”
My heart began pounding.
He took a breath.
“I know you came into my life because I was sick.”
I nodded.
“And I know I made your job difficult.”
I laughed.
“That's an understatement.”
He smiled.
Then grew serious.
“But somewhere along the way, you became the person I wanted to see every morning.”
My throat tightened.
“Gabriel.”
He stepped closer.
“I don't want you to feel obligated to stay.”
He looked at me.
“I want you to choose.”
Tears filled my eyes.
I reached for his hand.
“Then ask me properly.”
He smiled.
“Would you have dinner with me?”
May you like
I laughed.
“Yes.”
