Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno 4)

“Seriously, Scott. Is there a land mine you haven’t stepped on?” Rachel snapped. “Oh, wait. I’ve got one. Everyone has experienced a visitation from Mom, except me.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Scott. “What visitation?”

Rachel stared at her brother for a beat. “Well, at least I’m not the only one.”

“Not the only one what?” Scott’s eyebrows shot up.

“Rachel.” Richard gave his daughter a pained look.

She turned her face away.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

“We have some news.” Aaron changed the subject, putting his arm around his wife. “I was offered a job with Microsoft New England. And I took it.”

“What? Congratulations!” Scott reached across the table to shake Aaron’s hand. “I thought you already worked for Microsoft.”

“This is more research-oriented. I’ll be working with a team of programmers, right in Cambridge.” Aaron hugged Rachel’s shoulders. “I start in January.”

“You’ll be closer to Gabriel and Julia.” Richard smiled and continued carving the turkey as exuberant congratulations passed around the table.

Julia eyed Rachel cautiously.

“What about you, Rach

?” Scott asked. “What about your job in the mayor’s office in Philadelphia?”

Everyone looked at her expectantly. She bounced Clare on her lap. “I turned in my notice because I found another job. I’ve been hired to be a public relations supervisor at Dunkin’ Donuts in Canton, just outside Boston. Dunkie’s is in the same company as Baskin-Robbins, which means I’ll get unlimited coffee, doughnuts, and ice cream.” Rachel blew a raspberry against Clare’s neck and the baby squealed.

“That’s a dream job,” Tammy observed. “I love Dunkie’s.”

“Exactly.” Rachel sat up a little straighter. “They have incredible brand recognition, and everyone loves them. Corporate headquarters is casual; I’ll be able to wear jeans to work. And they have lots of incentives and perks.” She exchanged a look with Aaron, who grinned.

“I’m so happy for you.” Julia hugged her friend. “You’ll be closer to us and you’ll be able to see more of Clare.”

“We’ve put our condo up for sale. Hopefully, we’ll close before we move. Now we’re looking for somewhere to live.” Rachel batted her eyelashes at her brother.

Gabriel exchanged a look with Julianne. “Where do you want to live? Canton? Back Bay?”

“We don’t know,” Aaron interjected. “We need to sell our place first and we need to consider Rachel’s commute time.”

“Driving out to Canton every day will get tiresome,” Gabriel announced. “You may want to live out on the south shore and have Aaron commute to Cambridge.”

“Who wants to live on the south shore? We want to be where the action is. And where the baby is.” Rachel bounced Clare on her lap.

Julianne opened her mouth, but before she could invite Rachel and Aaron to stay in Cambridge, Gabriel grasped her hand under the table. And squeezed.

“Let’s discuss it later,” he whispered in her ear.

“But whatever happens,” Rachel continued, “we will be around while you’re in Edinburgh, Gabriel. Which means we can help Julia while you’re gone.”

Gabriel started. Although his eyes stared straight into Rachel’s, his words were directed at his wife. “I’m not going without them.”

Rachel appeared confused. “I thought Jules said her director was demanding she stay at Harvard?”

“That’s what her director said.” Gabriel took a drink of water. “I refuse to take no for an answer.”

A long look passed between Julia and Gabriel. Her eyes darted to Rachel and back again. She lifted her eyebrows at her husband.