Read Gabriel's Promise (A Romantic Comedy) for Free Online Page B

but I held
my tongue; I guess the chief felt the same way because he just huffed and
looked at his menu.
"The prime rib's the way to go son...I don't want to hear a peep out of
you Dame Goodall , I like meat, most red blooded men
do, I can't survive on grass and grains, I'm neither a cow, sheep nor goat.
"Are you calling me a goat?"
I thought it prudent to diffuse the situation before it became violent, so as
the chief opened his mouth to reply I cut him off.
"What about fish?"
"Fish is fine, I like fish." She squeezed my hand.
"Fish is fine I like fish." He actually mocked her I guess he has a
death wish. Sparks were coming out of her eyes, until the waitress came over
with a jovial smile.
    "Well hello Holders, and guest."
"Sheila this is Gabriel, Gabriel Sheila. The introductions were made and
we shook hands. I saw my girl smile a real genuine smile for perhaps the first
time since we met except for when that Brandon kid came over, I didn't like
that one bit.
"How's it going Sam, this one being good? She tapped the chief who was
unusually quiet on his shoulder. He was suddenly looking very uncomfortable.
"I wish Sheila, but you know how it is, he hasn't been taking his meds
again, threw everything off and you know what doc said, when that happens we
have to watch his food intake, so definitely no red meat, no sweets of any
kind, and absolutely no caffeine." She shook her head, sober as a judge.
Had I not known better I would've believed her.
The poor waitress was hanging on her every word, meanwhile, the chief beginning
to look bilious, I don't think even Sam turned that shade when she blushed.
    "Oh and no salt, for at least a week, so
if he shows up here without me you be sure and see that he eats right. We want
him with us for a long, long time."
He started sputtering all over his face, but neither female paid him the least
bit of attention. I kept my trap shut in fear that she'd spoil my dinner as
well. Though I was going to have the prime rib. I couldn't have Samantha
starting out on the wrong foot thinking she could dictate to me.
    I ordered my meat with a fully loaded potato
and ignored the rumblings coming from Sam.
When Sheila told Charlie she had just the thing for him I thought he was going
to cry. He looked like a little lost puppy.
Samantha meanwhile was beaming from ear to ear as happy as could be. What was I
getting myself into? I did see a little of my old friend in her though, but she
was her own unique brand of...something. Our kids were sure going to be
something.
Say what now? Better leave that alone for now.
    When Sheila brought out our food Sam
literally bounced in her seat and clapped, at first I thought she was really
excited about her vegetable lasagna, until the waitress placed a plate of
steamed veggies in front of the chief, I kid you not, I think he whimpered.
There had to be every green vegetable known to man on his plate. Broccoli,
spinach, kale I think I even saw some zucchini on there for good measure. I
would've laughed if it wasn't so mean. Then again he knew the risk, should've
kept his mouth shut.
Of course he tried to get me in trouble by eyeing my plate, but my tiger lily
had that covered.
"Try it mister and this will be our one and only date."
Needless to say the chief was on his own .

Chapter 15
    GABE
    I woke up this morning with new purpose. The
cold war was in full force around here, now the chief wasn't talking to his
daughter either and they were both so mature about it. The ride home had been
an experience; it was like taking a cross country trip with three toddlers and
a newborn for all that it was less than a ten minute drive from the Lodge to
the house. This is how it went.
    "Samantha Eliza Holder you're
grounded." He griped as he maneuvered the truck out of the parking lot.
"Says who?"
"Says who? Says who? Says your father that's who."
"What are the grounds? " She sounded like a negotiator.
"I don't need any stinking grounds my word is law.
She snorted at that one.
"Sorry