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“If you take him back to the church to play afterward, that should occupy the time until Holly arrives home.”
I wanted to hug my sister for the suggestions. Entertaining a five-year-old for hours on end wasn’t in my repertoire.
“They have a fabulous playground,” Vivian chimed in enthusiastically. “He’ll love it.”
“We’re only a phone call away.” The reminder was reassuring, but I wondered if Muriella lacked confidence in me to take care of Gabriel. “You can do this.”
I nodded once. “How’s Miss Ruby?”
Both of their faces dimmed. “She’s still in ICU,” Muriella said.
Words lodged in my throat. The old woman had treated me like a son she was proud of from the first time we met.
“She’ll pull through.” Vivian sounded more confident than she looked. “She’s a tough old bird.”
A moment of silence passed between us for Miss Ruby.
“Don’t forget I have the ingredients for a pot roast in the fridge,” Muriella said. “I’ll email the instructions to my tablet. You can cook that tomorrow.”
“I didn’t think about tonight.” I ran a hand through my hair. Being on my own for so long meant eating out at whatever establishment suited my taste at the time.
“I took chicken tortilla soup out of the freezer before I left. Just dump it in a pot, heat it up, and throw in the crispy tortilla strips I set on the counter. Done.”
“Sounds simple enough.” I wanted to have a meal ready for Holly so she could relax this evening. My sister had saved me from screwing that up. Every time I saw how capable, how caring, how strong she was, my cold heart rejoiced. I’d never pay back the debt to Daniel for how he’d stepped in and rescued my baby sister. Never. So the sooner we had Rosca out of our lives, the better.
“We’ll talk soon.”
We said our goodbyes, and I grabbed the keys to the SUV. Time to go get Gabriel.
Sittingbehind the wheel of the Range Rover, I watched the clock and the door to the school intermittently. The second the first wave of children exited, I was out of the car, waiting on the sidewalk, searching for any sign of Gabriel.
The other parents and nannies didn't seem all that concerned, casually chatting or checking their phones while they waited patiently for their child. I was about to lose my shit, shoving my hands in my pockets and craning my neck, my eyes trained on the school door. When Gabriel burst out with a big smile on his face, relief and elation coursed through me. I took off toward him, and when he saw me, his grin only got wider, his little legs running as fast as they could toward me.
I caught him, lifting him in the air and spinning him around before gathering him against me. Gabriel's arms went around my neck, and I hugged him close, the tightness in me uncoiling into an unfamiliar warmth. I couldn’t believe how right, how natural, this felt. “Hey,” I said, kissing the top of his head. “How was it?”
“It was awesome. My teacher is super cool, and I made a new friend.”
“So you liked your teacher?”
“She’s new. Like me,” Gabriel said, cheeks turning pink from the cold or maybe it was excitement. “Can I stay and play on the playground? My friend is.” He looked around and pointed toward another boy who was dragging his mother back toward the school.
“Sure. And after that, why don’t we go get a milkshake to celebrate your first day?”
“Yes!” He grabbed my hand and led me toward the playground, pretty strong for such a small body.
His friend had already claimed one of the swings. Gabriel released me, tossed his backpack to the ground, and rushed over to an empty one. He looked back, and I . . . I wanted him to always see me the way he did now. Like I was a hero.
“Will you push me?”
I stepped behind the swing and gave it a shove.
“Higher.” Gabriel gripped the chains attaching the swing to the metal beam above. I pushed a little harder. “Higher.”
Soon, he was swinging a little farther off the ground than I’d like, but his giggles eased my apprehension.
“I’ll be up in the sky when I’m a pilot,” he shrieked as I continued to push him.
“Want me to teach you how to fly?”
