page21 (1/2)
“Then ets here”
An expectant, hopeful look came over her face He had her full attention “Would you have time?”
Would he? He had no idea “I could try”
“I’m sorry That wasn’t a fair question I know you’re busy”
He’d disappointed her Just as he had other women he’d been interested in Except it really bothered hiain with Zoe There just wasn’t much ti fair to Zoe to suggest there was He wanted toout in a feeeks He checked his watch “I’d better get you home I’m due at the hospital”
“I’m ready” She stood and pushed the chair in
She didn’t say much on the trip home He pulled up to the front door “The deliverymen said they could be here today at three Will you be around?”
“Yes”
“Great Do you et the furniture in place?”
“I can take care of it” Zoe cli with me to see Mom”
“No problem See you later”
The doorbell ringing brought Zoe out of sleep It took her a few seconds to clear her head enough to get off the bed and head up the hall
She hadn’t been surprised when Gabe hadn’t even gotten out of the car before he’d left for the hospital For a ht be different from what he felt That he would take ti other than work Then ether, but as quickly as the hope flickered it had been snuffed out
Part of knowing Gabe was accepting those types of things weren’t high on his priority list She, on the other hand, believed they were important for a balanced and happy life With that in mind, she wanted to make the hborhood before settling in for an afternoon nap She’d forgotten all about the furniture being delivered until the bell rang She opened the front door to find two unifor
“We’re here to deliver your furniture Would you shohere it goes?”
“Through here” Zoe opened the door wider and led the way through the living room to the patio
Theas they surveyed the area, then left her Soon they returned with the armchairs
“Where would you like these?”
Zoe pointed to the area that received the one Zoe moved the chairs into position In just a fewon the patio Even the umbrella was in place and up She turned around and s colors added interest The patio looked perfect Gabe should enjoy using it If he took the time to appreciate it Until she er as often as possible, starting that afternoon
One of the deliveryo?”
“What? I didn’t know there was any more” She followed him into the house
He pulled a paper out of his back pocket and studied it “We have a whole room of nursery furniture that’s supposed to come to this address”
Zoe’s heart juht nursery furniture? She’d not seen him even look at any Maybe he’d done it online
“Oh, okay”
“So where do we put it?” Thepatience
“In here” Zoe showed him the empty front room
He left again and returned with his partner They had a chest of drawers in their arroup she’d liked so much
“Where do you want it?” one runted
Zoe looked around the roo “Uh, over on that wall” She pointed to the space between theand the door Still in a daze at what Gabe had done, she watched as thetable
Gabe had been paying attention when she’d admired the crib and had even noticed how much she liked the set Had any man ever been that in tune with her? He may have little time to spare, but when he ith her he was totally present
On the next trip, the ht in the pieces of the baby bed One returned to the truck and ca In less than thirty ether and the mattress in place