Gabriel's Promise (A Romantic Comedy) (3 page)

Chief

Man I'm getting too old for this shit; I
could swear Brandon just came to within an inch of losing his life. If I were
into theatrics I would wipe the imaginary sweat off my brow. Another bloodshed
averted, then again it was only eight in the evening who knows what my
delightful daughter would get up to between now and midnight?
If she didn't get back in here soon I was afraid Gabriel would go out there and
drag her back and then the sparks would really start to fly. I wish she would
hurry up cause I couldn't get between two hulking men if it came to that.

SAM

"Brandon what the heck has gotten into
you and what was that in the kitchen? Next time you touch my butt I'll break
your nose."
"Calm down sassyfrass I just didn't like the way that guy was looking at
you."
"Looking at me, how was he looking."
"
Like he owned you." Oh wow why that make me
feel all tingly inside!
"Don't be silly Brand he's Phil's old war buddy that's all."
"Sure Sammy
boo
." He ruffled my hair before
heading out the door.
Brandon had to be wrong, there's no way fancy car was looking at me like that;
that didn't stop me from getting the tingles again though. Okay Sam game face
on, you have a guest to terrorize.

SAM

Okay so I know most people think I'm
difficult, but I'm not really, I'm just...different, I'm not a girly girl and
I'm not a tomboy either, I'm kind of a cross in between. I like some girly
things but I was never going to be a simpering ninny, but what Brandon said
made me feel like giggling and all of a sudden I had butterflies in my tummy
and my body felt hot for some strange reason. Of course I was blushing, what
else is new?
Dad and Gabriel were having coffee by the time I returned to the kitchen.
"Sam how come you don't have pie? I could've sworn I smelled pie."
"Whining in the elderly is so unattractive." I went to get the pie
from the rack where it was cooling in plain sight of both Neanderthals, I
turned to give them a glare, what, they couldn't get their own pie?
"Watch who you're calling elderly and I wasn't whining I was simply asking
a question." Of course he was whining again.
"Do you want pie as well Gabriel?" Why the hell was I blushing?
Stupid Brandon and his stupid thoughts.
"I'd love some."

 
Somebody had cleared the table and I was
almost certain it wasn't dad.
"Thank you for clearing the dishes."
"Hey, I could've been the one who did that, how come you only thank
him?"
"Because whiny whining stein, you're three quarters useless in the
kitchen."
"See Gabriel this is the thanks I get after all my hard work too." I
snorted at him, my dad was a caveman, women did female things and men did manly
things and ne'er the twain should meet. He didn't let his being in the chair
stop him from doing anything either, he did what needed to be done even if it
took him twice as long as everyone else, that's my dad, he's my hero.

GABE

She came back in eight minutes, as she joked
around with her father I noticed a slight flush on her cheeks and it pissed me
the fuck off, if she'd let that boy kiss her I would ring her pretty little
neck. I was so damn furious it was a wonder steam wasn't coming out of my ears.
When she asked me about pie I was hard pressed to answer in a civilized manner,
we were going to have to have a conversation pretty damn soon.
It didn't matter that we'd just met or that she was my deceased buddy's sister,
not even the nine years difference in our age mattered to me, I wanted her,
what I want I take, plain and simple. I wondered how shocked she was going to
be when I laid down the law, knowing my little angel she'll be spitting nails
and threatening me with a gun no doubt, too bad. I had her in my cross hairs
now, it was over for her, if she gave me too much trouble I could always turn
her over my knee, seems to me Charlie had been a bit lax in the disciplinary
department.

I watched her beautiful round ass as she
walked back and forth getting pie for her father and I, that hair alone was
enough to bring me to my knees, it was wild and untamed just like its' owner,
tumbling all the way down her back to her ass in a fiery red that foretold of
the temper that was so rumored to come with it; I 'd enjoy wrapping it
around...what the fuck? Where the hell did I just go in my head? No woman had
ever captivated me like this before, and definitely not at first meeting. Yes
I’ve found women attractive in the past but I usually have more self control
than this, those newspapers that liked to talk about my playboy bachelor status
would laugh their asses off if they could see me now, brought low by a mere
girl. I gritted my teeth and fought against the rising of the south. I 've been
in a perpetual state of horny since I first saw her, I hope to God Charlie
didn't catch on to my thoughts before I had a chance to talk to him. Speaking
of which...
I turned to the man in question sure that he'd just caught me ogling his
daughter's ass.
"We need to talk."

Chief

Yes indeed things were heating up around
here, Gabriel was chomping at the bit, Miss. Priss was blushing fire engine red
and her insults were a little tamer than usual which meant she was flustered,
now if I didn't know better I would think it was Brandon's doing, but I did
know better, Brandon hadn't put that look on my little girls' face, plus she
kept taking peaks at Gabriel when she thought no one was looking.
I of course pretended not to be paying attention to either of them but nothing
got by me. Now if I could just keep her from killing him and vice versa maybe
we could have us a wedding in the near future. My Sam was young in years yes,
but she was old in spirit and she needed to settle down quick, and preferably
with some one that could rein her in before she ended up on America's Most
Wanted.
She dropped the pie in front of us just as Gabriel was demanding to talk to me.
I wonder what he could need to talk about. Yes indeed Brandon had stirred up
the hornet's nest. I'll have to talk to the boy about where he put his hand the
next time we met though. Or I'm sure Gabriel would help him off with it. These
young people are so quick to get fired up.
"Whenever you wanna talk son I'm here." Lord if there's gonna be some
type of courtship please let me survive it. I looked up in prayer.
"What're you bothering God about now dad?"
"Nothing honey bear, nothing at all. " I got the huff, the eye roll
and the unibrow altogether.

GABE

When Sam went for her evening bath I figured
it was as good a time as any to talk to Charlie so we met in the living room.
"What's on your mind son?"
"Well sir, this is going to sound all kinds of weird since we just met but
uh, I uhmm." Shit this was harder than I thought.
"Just spit it out son."
Okay here goes. "I want to date your daughter, in fact I'm pretty sure
it's more than that but we'll start there for now." There, I'd said it.
He was looking rather contemplative as if he had to give it some thought, which
was understandable, after all he didn't know me from Adam, but he trusted
Phil's judgment so I had that working for me.
"Well son she's of age, just turned eighteen so I can't rightly tell her
what to do."
"Understood, but is it okay with you, I am older than her by a few years
and let's face it all you know about me is what your twenty year old son told
you seven years ago." He waved off that suggestion.
"Son I've been reading people all my life, even did it for a living, if I
didn't trust you I would've let Annie Oakley shoot you this morning."
"So I have your blessing then?"
"Sure do son let's shake on it." We shook hands and I sat back on the
couch.
"Well from what I can see she's going to be a handful I'm going to need
all the help I can get."

"No sir you're on your own."
Say what now! I looked at him in disbelief and he looked back at me serious as
a judge.
"It's simple son, you want her, you figure it out, me, I like having
supper on the table and clean sheets on my bed, I'm not getting involved in
your hullabaloo and I'd thank you to apprise her of that fact, which means if
you screw up it's all on you, not me, and trust me son, you will screw up,
that's a given, that one up those stairs is as ornery as a disturbed rattler.
I'd walk softly if I was you, and you might want to look into getting a big
stick." He had the nerve to shake his head in consternation. Okay then I
could do this, I have dated before and I had quite a few years experience. I'm
sure Sam had very little if any at all she better fucking not have any. Yeah
that's fair. I didn't give two shits about being fair if she did have any it
was all in the past, her only experiences were going to be with me from now on.

Chief

I wonder what has him scowling now? He seems
to be just as contrary as Samantha, Lord what a pair. Well, the die was cast;
let's see where the chips fell, if nothing else it sure was going to be
interesting. I watched the two of them circling around each other all day
sniffing out their territory my boy was right all along he knew what he knew,
made for each other, yes indeed.
Now all I had to do was lock up all sharp objects and firearms the first time
he said no to her about something, that girl did like her way. I hoped to God I
survived this courtship. I wonder if Geoffrey was up for a week -long fishing
trip? No better not, somebody had to be here to bury the bodies. I need a
drink.

GABE

My first night at the Holder residence
was...interesting. After my shower I headed back downstairs to say goodnight to
the chief since his room was located on the first floor for obvious reasons.
I walked in on father and daughter having their nightly ritual it looked like.
The little she cat with the sharp claws was gone in her place was a little lamb
who sat on the floor at her father's feet with her head on his knees while he
played with her hair and whispered to her. I didn't quite catch what was being
said but I could tell by the ease with which they interacted that this was
nothing new. It was heartwarming to see.
I snuck back up the stairs not wanting to intrude on their moment, but with a
new hope for the future. It seemed my Sam had a soft side. It wouldn't be all
shotguns and tirades. One thing was for sure; my life would never be dull with
her in it.
The next day started with a bang. I was halfway down the stairs when I heard
the racket.

"Why can't I have French toast?"
"Because I already made the batter for my special pancakes."
"But I want French toast."
"How about bread and water? One more word about the stupid French toast,
just one more."
To which Charlie started grumbling under his breath.
I entered the kitchen tentatively to say the least.
"Good morning... Sam." Charlie was making slashing motions across his
throat and shaking his head vigorously.
"What's so good about it huh?" she banged a pot down on the stovetop.

Oookay then the she cat was back in full
force it looked like.
Charlie mouthed the word coffee and something else I didn't catch and rolled
his eyes. I was a bit confused until he pointed to Sam, behind her back of
course and then the coffee pot, I noticed the coffee was now finishing up. Ah,
I get it; she hasn't had her first cup yet. Good to know.
I took a seat across from Charlie as the princess of the castle bustled around
making what looked like apple pancakes.
" How was your night son, sleep okay?" He questioned me while keeping
a weary eye on his offspring.
"Everything was just great Charlie thanks."
There was more grumbling coming from Sam's side. He leaned over and whispered
to me.
"Don't say anything to set her off or we'll both be wearing pancake
batter."
"What's that dad?" He rolled his eyes behind her back.
"Oh nothing precious, I was just telling Gabriel here that we'll be having
dinner at the Lodge tonight."

Really, that was news to me; I tried not to
laugh at the look of apprehension on his face. These two should take this act
on the road.
Charlie and I passed the time making small talk and trying not to piss off my
little flower while we waited for breakfast, I don't think Charlie drew a
breath until she placed his plate in front of him. Then she kissed his head
like nothing happened, like she hadn't just been griping at him. I hope I was
up to the task of dealing with all her moods. I'm sure I'll have a few grey
hairs before too long.
She was looking very pretty this morning in a blue pullover and a denim skirt,
her long hair flowing freely. Every time our eyes met she would blush in the
prettiest way and lower her head, I didn't even know women still did that.
I enjoyed my breakfast, which again was nothing short of amazing and waited to
see what the day will hold. It was bound to be entertaining.

GABE

I spent the day with my Sam and It was
...enlightening. Charlie browbeat her into showing me around their little town
later in the afternoon.
We walked the entire thing in less than half an hour; it literally consisted of
the school, which catered to kindergarten through twelfth grade. The diner the
Lodge where the billiard hall was located and a grocery store. There were some
other little Knick knack type places but nothing major.
It was kind of quaint though, and would've been nice except for the rain, it
was cloudy when we left and seemed to stay that way. In fact it had been either
cloudy or raining since I arrived.
It was quite an education to watch how the locals reacted to Samantha. The
older men treated her like one of their grand kids, if only with a little
subtle flirting thrown in for good measure, which seemed to go right over my
flowers' head.

The older women seemed a little disapproving
if not leery, but still with a touch of indulgence, while the young men Sam's
age all seemed taken with her. Especially some kid called Young, bastard had
the nerve to ogle her right in front of me, of course I had to stake my claim,
so I took my life and my nuts in my hands and dropped my arm across her
shoulders while glaring at the kid with the death wish. He got the message and
luckily for me she didn't snap my arm or my head off, just gave me a strange
look.
We suspiciously didn't run into any of her female friends.
When we left the Young kid and headed home she finally let me know what she
thought of my little stunt.
"Next time why don't you pee on me?"
"Excuse me?" Color me confused.
"What was that back there If not some macho nonsense? I'm not a meaty bone
you know."
She folded her arms and huffed.
" I didn't realize that's what I was doing." I lied through my teeth,
so sue me.
"Sure you didn't." And there we have the eye roll.
"Like I said, next time just raise your leg and let fly, then they'd know
you've marked your territory. Just be careful that I'm not armed with any sharp
objects before you do it, snip, snip." She had the nerve to laugh; I think
I felt my balls draw up in fear with a little pitiful whine.

Geez she was unbelievable, to see her she was
all innocence and sweet, not exactly girl next door no, that wild hair and
those fuck me lips didn't scream girl next door, they screamed hot sex and
raunchy delights. Damn I needed to calm down my thoughts around her. My balls
were going to change color soon.
We walked the rest of the way in relative silence, while giving each other
surreptitious looks when we each thought the other wasn't looking.
"Well hey there Samantha, who's your new young man?"
The voice came from across the street from Charlie's house, there was an
elderly lady sitting on the porch with what looked like an old fashioned
bourbon flask and some knitting paraphernalia rocking back and forth in a
rocker.
Sam of course started grumbling only God knows what under her breath, all I
caught was "the nosy old bat." at which I coughed to hide the laugh
that wanted to escape.

"Afternoon Miss. Spelman, this is Phil's
friend from the army." She introduced me to the lady who eyed me up and
down, sizing me up as though measuring my worth.
" Saw him pull up yesterday didn't I, so how long you staying young
man?" She squinted at me; I'm thinking that flask didn't hold afternoon
tea.
Sam started shuffling her feet as though she was in a hurry.
"Well ma'am I'm thinking maybe a week or two...for now."
"Seen something you like did you?" She gave me a telling look which I
ignored and had her cackling.
I hadn't quite gotten around to telling Sam about my newfound interest in her
and she didn't need to find out in front of what I was almost sure was the
neighborhood gossip.
"We have to get going Miss. Spelman, dad's waiting for us, see you later.
I'll be sure to bring you that blueberry pie for the church social."
'That's lovely dear, I hope you'll still have time what with all the goings
on." Whatever else she had to say was lost on us as Sam practically
dragged me across the street.

"Slow down there love." I pulled
back on her hand gently to slow her progress.
"Try to keep up gramps; we have to get lost before she thinks up anymore
nosy questions. We'll be out here till kingdom come if she has her way."
My girl sure could do a snit with the best of them, didn't take much to set her
off on one of her tangents either.
"Sam, I wanted to talk to you about something important."
She looked up at me a touch warily.
"Sure I guess."
"Let's sit here on the porch." I drew her down on the swing and sat
down beside her, still holding her hand. Either she didn't notice or she didn't
mind too much. I was hoping for the latter.

"I spoke to your father about us
dating." No sense in beating around the bush, besides she wouldn't
appreciate it I was sure.
She tensed up for a split second before relaxing. Then I thought I actually saw
steam come out of her ears. I found myself bracing for whatever was coming next
but I was ready for her every argument. My one strength was that there was no
sense in pretending that I wasn’t interested; she struck me as the type who
would appreciate honesty and though this was rather sudden I saw no point in
putting it off. Not to mention the fact that in a town this size she was sure
to be snatched up sooner or later unless the men in this place were blind or stupid.
How the hell she’d evaded being claimed by some man or bot before now looking
the way she did I’d never know, then again that temper of hers had probably
turned away more than her fair share of admirers. Funnily enough I wanted the
whole package all that fire wrapped up in that beautiful package it was enough
to make me salivate like a green boy with his first crush.

"What do you mean you spoke to my father
about dating me, shouldn't you have asked me first?"
Oh shit. "Well, proper etiquette demands that I speak with him first, get
his approval."
"Well excuse me for living in the twenty first century. " She tried
to pull her hand away but I held fast.
"What if I'm not interested? I'm not chattel you know, you and my father
just can't decide that I'm going to date you."
"Don't you want to?" I was going out on a limb here, she could
totally shoot me down but somehow I didn't think so. There was no way what I
felt was one sided, fate wouldn't be that cruel.
Of course fate might not be, but my flower was a prickly cactus half the time,
who knew which way the wind would blow? She’d only laid eyes on me in the flesh
for the first time a day ago and not everyone was as
gungho
as me, she could be a cautious type under all that fire and passion not that it
was going to make a bit of difference I the long run, not after I’ve seen her
and wanted her.
I noticed she was having a hard time answering me but she was blushing in that
becoming way that I was growing to love, instead of pushing my luck I made a
suggestion that was sure to meet with her approval.

"Hey!" I lifted her chin with my
finger, it was the first time I'd touched her like this and I was hard pressed
not to kiss her, she felt so soft. I had to shake my head to clear it, damn I
felt like a green boy next to her.
"Why don't we try it and see how you like it, if you're not comfortable
then we'll chalk it up to experience. What do you say?" Like hell.
She took her sweet time answering making me sweat, there was no doubt in my mind
that this was going to happen but it would be so much better not to mention
safer for yours truly if she was on board. I didn’t fancy having to hogtie her
and spirit her away which was always an option granted I could get chief to go
along with it.

"Well as long as you don't expect me to
sit around making goo
goo
eyes at you and simpering
all day, cause I've got better things to do,"
I started to ask her what the hell she was talking about but apparently she
wasn't finished.
"And I'm not wearing skirts up to my navel so everyone could see what I
had for breakfast, or those death traps that look like you're walking on
stilts."
Okay, she's talking about short skirts and high heels...I think.
"And don't even think that I'm putting a pound of gook on my face to look
pretty for you, you'll take me as I am or you can go back to Virginia and find
a mannequin to play dress up."
I kept my mouth shut and let her finish her rant; she had a lot to say after
she got started.
I learned something sitting on that porch, two things really. My flower didn't
know the first thing about dating, it was going to be up to me to guide her, I
was looking forward to it, and second, she ranted like a mad person when she
was nervous.