AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Actually, I don't.”
Holly's lips flattened again, a look she seemed to be perfecting around me. Wordlessly, she dug in her pocket for her keys.
“Let me. Let me.” Gabriel held out his hand, and Holly dropped the ring into his palm. She patiently waited for him to find the right one and fumble it into the lock. It clicked, and he pressed on the handle, forging ahead once the door opened.
“Gabriel.” He was halfway across the living room when he stopped and turned to look at her. “Did you forget something?”
Gabriel cocked his head, concentrating really hard, and then a light dawned in his eyes. He ran back over and snatched the keys from the door. “Sorry, Mama. I wanted to show Mr. Carlos the Lego cowboy we built.”
“Let's try it again. I don't want you to have to think about it. I want it to be habit.”
“So I'll be safe,” Gabriel said, already coming toward us.
We went back into the hall and repeated the process, this time Gabriel taking the keys from the lock. Holly held up her hand for a high-five, and they grinned at each other.
“Go get the cowboy,” she said, and he tore off. The second he was out of earshot, she turned to me. “I don't want you encouraging him about this puppy.” Her hand went to her hip and her chin lifted.
“I wasn't—”
“I don't care what you were or weren't doing. The bottom line is we can't have a dog. And you don't know him. Once he sets his mind on something, it doesn't go away.”
“Then maybe I can get to know him.” That wasn't what I meant to say.
Holly’s eyes flared in surprise. “Look—”
“Here he is,” Gabriel interrupted, holding out his cowboy.
“Did you build this?” I asked, impressed with the intricacy and size.
“Yep. Mama helped me. We've started a castle too.”
“This must have taken quite some time.”
He shrugged. “A few hours.” I studied the cowboy with his dark blue legs that were jeans. He even had a hat and a belt buckle. Pretty cool. “You can have him.”
My lips parted in surprise at the kid's generosity. “But he's your buddy. I can't take him.”
“I want you to have him,” Gabriel insisted, and I blinked, unsure what to say.
“Thanks. I'll treasure it.” I held the figure a little more tightly. I didn't want to take the child's toy, but I didn't want to give it up either.
“Can you stay a while?” he asked, his round eyes full of hope.
“Carlos is here to visit his sister,” Holly said, not-so-subtly telling me I wasn't welcome.
“What time should I come over tomorrow?” I asked.
“Six o'clock.”
“I'll be here. You can show me your castle then,” I said, and he nodded.
“Gabriel, why don't you tell Mr. Carlos good night and get ready for bed,” Holly suggested, though it wasn't a suggestion at all.
“See you later, Mr. Carlos,” he said.
“Good night, Gabriel. Thank you for the cowboy.”
“You're welcome. I'll get my Batman book ready, Mama.”
