Gabe (Blue-Collar Billionaires 3)

"I understand, Daddy. I won't settle. Never again."

His face breaks into a grin. "Ever since you were a little girl, I always knew that you were going to do things your own way. You've always been independent like that. The others take more after your mother. I love them but they don't have that same wild spirit inside like we do. They can't understand. So don't let them get you down. And definitely don't let them stop you."

"I won't. I'll just have to find other investors. Although I have to admit that I'm not quite sure how to do that."

My mind immediately goes back to Gabe and his offer to help me with the forms the day we'd met. He looks like the kind of guy who knows all about business plans and profit and loss statements. He could probably write a business plan in his sleep. Maybe I shouldn't have blown him off so easily.

I wince remembering how I'd picked him apart the first time we met. He’d been obvious but I shouldn't have ripped into him that way. I'd just been so frustrated and cranky after standing in that long line only to find out that I'd done something wrong. Again.

But it wasn't his fault he was the embodiment of the type of man that had hurt me in the past. Maybe his offer to look over my forms had been sincere. Since I'm going to be in business, I need to learn how to manage people. How to gauge who's actually sincere and who wants something from me.

Of course, it's a moot point now because all that happened before he knew who I was. Now that he knows I'm connected to Finn and Tank, he won't come anywhere near me.

"My business plan is pretty rough. If I'm going to approach other people, I need to step up my game."

He leans over. "Well you've got one investor right here."

My heart sinks. Apparently my mom didn't tell him everything that she was going to do. "Mom already said that you guys are pulling your investment completely. I guess she didn't tell you?"

He stands and retrieves his coat. "I didn't say your mother would be investing with me. I have some money tucked away for a rainy day. Your mother doesn't know all my secrets yet. And I already talked to your Uncle Tommy and he wants to invest too."

He kisses me on the forehead. "I'll see myself out."

As I watch him leave, my emotions are in a tailspin. I've gone from excited to devastated to hopeful all in the span of an hour. But overwhelmingly, I feel hopeful.

I latch on to the feeling with all I have.

* * * * *

After the impromptu visit from my father, I sit on the couch and think back over everything he told me. This new information puts a lot of the stories he's told over the years into perspective. By the time I finally leave the house, I realize so much time has passed that my craving for pancakes will have to wait. I'll have to console myself with a cheeseburger instead.

My landlady, Mrs. Hanes, is on her side of the building watering her plants. Her gray hair is wound up into a high bun and she's only wearing a light sweater despite the cool weather. I'm not sure how she can stand it because as soon as the weather changes I feel like I need to wrap myself up in several layers.

"I met your father earlier. He fixed the railing." She nods toward the slats in the railing.

Sure enough, all the slats are in place and nailed in to the banister. One of them came loose last week and was sticking out at an odd angle. I'd tried to push it back into place but I wasn't strong enough and I was scared of cutting myself on one of the nails poking out of the wood.

"Did he? Well, I'm not surprised. He worries about me."

She moves a little closer, pouring a stream of water from her can onto the potted begonia near the steps. "He had the tools in his truck. I tell you, they don't make 'em much like that anymore."

She waves as I walk down the sidewalk toward my car at the end of our drive.

Despite the cold, it's a nice day to be out. I put down the windows in my car to let in the breeze. I'm not the only one taking advantage of the last tolerable weather before winter hits hard. Several people are on bicycles and I note several mothers out pushing those jogging strollers.

I love Main Street. It's everything that New Haven has to offer in a nutshell. The picturesque businesses with their trademark red awnings overhanging the sidewalk make for a scenic walk for tourists. The side street that leads to the boardwalk is deserted but I know that it'll be busy by midday.

Even in the midst of the cool autumn weather, there are always people like me who can't stay away from the water. I moved to

Virginia Beach because it was closer to a lot of the clubs where I used to perform. Plus I just wanted to get a little distance from my parents. I knew my mother would freak out if I moved too far away so I figured thirty minutes was far enough to keep her from showing up unexpectedly but close enough for her not to worry too much. Now that Kay has moved into her new house with Eli, I figured it was finally time for me to think about where I want to be.

And that's New Haven.

My new space is in a converted row house on a side street right off the main road. It's in between a vintage clothing boutique and a pastry shop. I take the first available parking space I can and then walk to the building. The sign in the window still says For Lease. I'll be sure to take that down after lunch.

Glancing back at my car, I decide to leave it parked where it is and just walk over to my favorite retro diner, The Rush. When I push open the door, Miss Doris looks up from behind the counter.

"Oh well, look who decided to come see me." She cackles out a laugh and comes around the counter.