Once Upon a Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page B

been in business with Harry, once Bobbie’s father had gone, Harry had tried—in his oft-awkward way—to do his best by the Fairchild family. The man was insanely brilliant but had—according to some—a computer chip like those that had made him rich for a heart. And given the way he’d treated his own sons for most of their lives, it wasn’t an entirely inaccurate accusation. But to Bobbie, he was just her rather odd-duck Uncle Harry. And being an odd duck herself, maybe that’s why she felt a kinship to him.
    â€œI know he enjoys hearing from you,” Cornelia was saying. “Particularly since you sneak him those coffees he loves—and don’t bother denying it, darling. I’ve been onto this collusion between the two of you since you went back to work at that little coffee house after you and Lawrence ended things. But I’m having lunch with Harry tomorrow, anyway, so I’ll set him straight. Now. Do you need grocery money? What about gas for the car?”
    Bobbie couldn’t prevent a groaning laugh. “No, Mom. I don’t need grocery money or gas! I do have a job, remember? I can afford to take care of myself.”
    â€œYes, I know you have a job. And I also can guess just how much of your income you’re spending on those dogs of yours. If I came over there right this moment and looked in your pantry, would I actually see food for you and not just enormous bags of dog food?”
    â€œYes, you would.” She childishly crossed her fingers as she envisioned the virtual void behind the pantry door.
    Cornelia made a soft sound that Bobbie translated asdisbelief. But her mother didn’t pursue the matter. Maybe because she herself was the most independent woman that Bobbie knew. And she’d raised her daughters to be the same.
    â€œBesides,” Bobbie added, “I’m helping Tommi out this week at the bistro.” She smiled, thinking of her older sister’s pen chant for feeding the world through her charming Corner Bistro in downtown Seattle. “So you know I’ll be eating well there, at least.” As far as Bobbie was concerned, Tommi was the best chef in town. What her sister could do in the kitchen was simply magical.
    â€œThat’s something, I suppose,” Cornelia allowed. “All right, then. You’re certain there isn’t anything going on in your life that I should know about?”
    The sound of a hammer filled the small cottage, a needless reminder of the man on the other side of the very thin kitchen wall. “Positive.” She had no intention of informing her mother that she’d practically accosted Gabriel Gannon in order to avoid her uncle’s young friend. “Tell Uncle Harry hello for me when you see him tomorrow. Love you.”
    She barely waited to hear her mother return the sentiment before she hung up the phone.
    Alongside his sleeping companion, Zeus cocked his golden head, watching her as if he knew exactly how many times she’d skirted the facts with her mother. She rubbed her hand over his silky head and tossed him the hard rubber bone he liked to chew. Then she ran her hands over her hair in a vain attempt to smooth it down, straightened the hem of her long-sleeved T-shirt around her hips, and went back out into the living room.
    Gabriel was crouched down next to the open door, working on the latch and the lock, his muscular thighs bulging against his worn jeans. She sucked in a careful breath and managed a smile when his vivid gaze turned toward her. “Your mother, I take it?”
    Feeling more like a schoolgirl than a grown woman, she nodded and willed herself not to blush.
    â€œSounds like news traveled fast.”
    Forget staving off the blush. She felt heat plow up her neck into her face. “Yeah.” She rubbed her palms down her thighs. “Guess you heard.”
    â€œI tried not to.” He looked amused as he focused again on the new lock