Free It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long by Linda Wood Rondeau Page B

all.”
    “Gabe’s office called. He had an emergency. Dorie called and said she didn’t feel well. That’s all I know.”
    Jamey muddled through rehearsal, distracted by thoughts of an irresistible woman. Gabe seemed equally enthralled with Dorie. Would he finally settle down? Not likely. Jamey could count on one hand the number of girls Gabe had dated more than twice. He’d dumped every available girl in Midville by now. Dorie had hitched a ride on a train speeding toward Heartbreak City.
    Should I warn her?
    Not that Jamey offered anything better. Gabe’s reputation suited him. He wore his bachelor persona like a challenge. Women flocked to him and the attention boosted his fragile ego. Jamey’s friends described him as a brooding loner. Not that he minded the rep of a brooding loner. Except for Evie, few women bothered to flirt with him. That was fine by him—less likelihood of entrapment. So why did Dorie’s name ring through his mind like a haunting melody?
    Aunt Gillian waved and crossed the room. “There you are, Jamey. I have a favor to ask.”
    “Anything short of a loan. I’m low on cash flow at the moment.”
    Her whole body jiggled with her laugh. “Can you help with the play I’m directing for the Midville Community Church?”
    “I’m swamped right now—”
    “You’ve met Dorie, right? I’ve cast her son, Josh, as Amahl. I was hoping you might coach him.”
    An opportunity or a temptation?

Chapter Twelve
      
    Midweek already. Dorie managed to worm out of Monday’s practice, but she’d have to face Gabe soon or quit the play. She checked The Weather Channel for any hope rehearsal would be cancelled.
    Just her luck—they predicted above-average November temperatures and not a cloud in the sky. Besides, Josh was looking forward to rehearsal tonight. Dorie rinsed the dinner plates while the kids started The Little Mermaid .
    Mom arrived fifteen minutes early. “I’ll do the dishes, Dorie. Why don’t you sit with me a minute? We haven’t talked in a few days.”
    No, they hadn’t. Not since that heated conversation regarding one Dr. Gabriel Wellington. Dorie grabbed a soda from the fridge. Anything to keep her hands busy. She’d already downed a whole pot of coffee by herself.
    “You seem fidgety tonight,” Mom said. “Too much caffeine or is something bothering you?”
    “Josh is excited about rehearsal. I’d rather not go.”
    “Does this have anything to do with Dr. Wellington?”
    Dorie popped the tab. “How did you know?”
    “Mothers sense these things. I’m not surprised. I told you—”
    “Yeah. I know. You warned me. Gabe’s not reliable. The kids acted up at The Pines, but kids are kids. It’s funny. During dinner I thought I would tell him we shouldn’t see each other anymore. Then he left before I could say anything at all. You would think I’d be glad he hasn’t called, but I feel—”
    “Rejected?”
    “Yeah.”
    Mom rose and served herself a glass of water. As always, she found a menial task when silence became awkward or she wanted time to order her words. “I don’t abide gossip, Dorie, but I think you should know that Gabe has been engaged before. It was last year, to a woman with three children. When they broke off the engagement, he told his mother that he and his fiancée wanted different things in life.”
    “That’s the one serious relationship you told me about?”
    Mom nodded.
    “And you don’t think he told his mother the real reason his engagement ended?”
    “I always suspected the kids overwhelmed him. Some men can’t compete with children. They want all the attention for themselves.”
    “I thought when he corrected the children he meant to be protective, like …”
    “Like Devon?”
    Dorie’s eyes moistened as she fell into her mother’s embrace.
    “Devon was a wonderful husband and father. You can’t bring him back by trying to find a man who reminds you of him. If you do, you’ll see things that aren’t there. You’ll