April's Promise (Forever Love Series) Read Online Free Page B

now
whenever she looked into Gabe's eyes, she felt compelled to tell him the
truth.  Then she thought of her niece and held back.  At the hospital the night
of the accident, April had learned Larry Powell had no living relatives.  If
Gabe's feelings towards Stephie changed, the little girl would have no one else
to give her the unconditional love a child deserved.
    April
had to be sure she was making the right decision no matter what the cost was to
herself.
    Once
her niece awakened, the morning passed quickly.  But after Stephie finished her
milk at lunch and put down her cup she asked, "Go see Daddy?"
    "Daddy's
working."
    "But
I wanna see him."
    Though
she had never read child psychology books, April would bet that if a child's
world was disrupted, she'd want to hold onto something or someone stable. 
April was sure Stephie missed her mother's presence, and now Evelyn's.
    "I
don't think your dad would mind a visit from us.  Why don't we stop at the
bakery and take him something for a snack?  You can pick out a dessert for
supper."
    "Cupcakes!"
Stephie decided with a wide smile.
    April
laughed.  "Cupcakes, it is."
    Cedar
Corners, once a farming community, had grown into a mid-sized town with new
residential developments cropping up periodically, school districts expanding,
and more businesses moving in.  Yet it still retained its small town flavor
with lots of community events like its summer strawberry festival, periodic
spaghetti suppers served at the fire hall and its Fall Festival taking place
this weekend.  Tomorrow, crafters and artists would line the downtown streets
which would be barricaded against traffic.
    April
drove through the town and turned into the parking lot of an office building. 
Gabe's complex of offices was located on the third floor.  With three stores open
now throughout Virginia, he'd needed a central headquarters from which he could
oversee and coordinate.  After she parked, she locked Vanessa's car, and took
her niece's hand as they crossed to the glass door and rode in the elevator to
the third floor.
    Everything
from the plush sand-colored carpeting to the cream and chocolate leather chairs
in the small reception area shouted quality and success.  April had never seen
Gabe's offices before.
    Going
to the middle-aged woman seated behind a huge desk, April kept Stephie's small
hand in hers.  "We're here to see Gabe Chronister."
    "Do
you have an appointment?" the woman asked as she peered over her reading
glasses.
    With a
pleasant smile, April returned, "Does his daughter need an
appointment?"
    The
receptionist glanced down at Stephie.  "Uh, no, I suppose not.  Let me
buzz him."  Picking up the phone, she announced to Gabe that he had
visitors.  A few moments later, he came down the hall to the desk and saw them.
    April's
heart raced.  He was even more handsome and powerful-looking in a suit than
jeans.  The cut of his navy jacket seemed to emphasize his broad shoulders.
    Scooping
Stephie up into his arms, he said, "I didn't expect to see you quite
yet."
    "She
missed you," April explained, wondering if she'd done the right thing by
bringing Stephie here.
    But
Gabe didn't seem disturbed about it.  "Let's go to my office.  Mrs.
Canton, hold all my calls."
    Gabe's
office was a masculine domain.  Book shelves filled with manuals and binders
lined one wall.  His L-shaped desk faced a sitting area with a leather couch
and chair.  A painting of a rustic farmhouse and a scene of horses grazing hung
on the wall.
    He took
Stephie to the couch and sat her on his knee.  "So you missed me?"
    Stephie
bobbed her head and clutched a waxy white bag in her hand.
    "I
suppose you miss Evelyn, too?"
    Again Stephie
nodded.
    "Did
you have fun with April this morning?"
    His
daughter looked at April and grinned.  "We colored.  An' we played
outside."
    "What
did you bring?"  Gabe tapped Stephie's bag but his gaze slid over April in
her turquoise blouse and slacks.
    "Cookies. 
I tol' April you