Chapter 52

GABE.

Saturdays were the hardest. Knowing Celina and Emma were off playing together all day while he worked was torture.

He wanted to be with them, and Saturdays were long as he waited for four o’clock. He could cut out early, but he didn’t want to hear Ian’s lecture.

Gabe shook Mr. Samson’s hand and wished the man good luck replacing his kitchen cabinet fasteners. The familiar patter of running feet made Gabe turn, and Emma rushed into his arms.

“Hey, Sunshine! What are you doin’ here?” Gabe asked.

Celina strolled up the aisle with a smile on her face. “We wanted to see if you’d take us to lunch.”

Emma placed her tiny hands on both sides of Gabe’s face. “Can we have chips and cheese?”

Gabe shrugged and turned to Celina. “Habaneros?” He suggested the closest Mexican food restaurant.

“Sounds good to me.” Celina hooked her arm around Gabe’s elbow, and they walked out to his Tahoe.

This was what he’d been searching for—a family eager to spend time with him. Having Celina and Emm