Katherine and Gabriel have known each other for 62 days.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

"I am. I told Tom at this time in my life I'm not interested, but if something comes up in a few years, maybe. Is that fair enough?"

She cuddled into his chest and yawned. "I'll agree with that. I'm sorry I was being ridiculous.

"Under the circumstances it makes sense."

After another yawn, she said, "You're way too patient with me."

"Either I'm boring or you're tired." Gabriel stood. "I know I'm not boring, so it has to be you're tired." He helped her stand. "There's no cross country meet tomorrow, so I'll be by after practice." He kissed her. "I'll take Jordan to practice." After a few more kisses, he grinned. "Good night." He started out the door but turned back. "That was a good morning kiss, in case you're not up." He winked as he left.

"You're...."

"Incorrigible," interrupted Gabriel. "I know and you love it."

"You're right. I do."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 47

When Gabriel knocked on the door early Saturday morning, Jordan answered and then stepped outside. "Mom's still asleep."

"Not surprised. I left pretty late last night."

The drive to practice was silent until Gabriel parked, and then Jordan asked, "I heard something in the locker room after the game." Their eye's met, before he continued, "UT offered you a coaching job. If it's true, are you leaving?"

Gabriel removed the keys from the ignition. "It's true. I turned it down." He teased, "I couldn't leave you knuckleheads." After a pause, he said, "Since it's a rumor, I'd better address it this morning. Thanks for letting me know." He paused before he opened the door. "Jordan, you can ask me anything. You could've asked last night. I want us to have open communication."

"Thanks Coach."

*****
After practice, Jordan opened the front door. "Mom, we're home."

"I'm in the den."

Gabriel walked in and kissed her. "How you doing?"

"Good enough to work Monday."

Sarah stood in the door. "Jordan's eating. Would you like something?"

Turning toward her, Gabriel grinned. "Any coffee?"

"Of course. I knew you'd be here. I always make sure there's a fresh pot. I'll get it." Sarah turned to leave.

"I can get my own. You don't need to wait on me." He glanced at Katherine. "I'll be right back."

Katherine followed him, and they went to the back porch.

Before Gabriel could sit, Jeremy asked, "Coach, can you help me in my room?"

As he followed Jeremy upstairs, a knock sounded on the door, Katherine said, "I'll get it."

When the door was open, Mr. Edwards gave her a hug. "How you feeling?"

"Well enough to come to work next week."

Paul's eyes widened. "Did your doctor clear it?" When she shook her head, he said, "The answer is no. Is Gabe here?"

Gabriel walked down the stairs. "What brings you here?" He grinned at Katherine. "Jeremy thought shoving everything in his closet was picking up his room. He's making the correction."

"Thank you."

Glancing at Paul, he said, "Sorry. Saturday's clean bedrooms' day. I only threw my cap once during Friday's game. The UIL shouldn't complain. I know it has to be big or you'd text." He pointed toward the back porch. "Let's go out here."

Katherine said, "I'll bring coffee."

*****
Once both men were seated, Paul asked, "As much as I enjoy having the best football coach in all of Texas, plus he's a close friend, I need to understand why you turned down the coaching job. I guess I want to make sure you're not making a mistake."

"I appreciate it. My life's perfect. You give me free reign over the athletic department. I'm in love with an amazing woman, and more importantly she loves me." He chuckled. "I've wondered what her problem is." He hesitated. "Not only that, I'm part of a family and it feels good. I'm the luckiest man on earth. Why would I mess that up?" He ran his hand through his hair. "I told Herman I'm saying no for now, but if something becomes available in a few years I'll reconsider."

Katherine stood in the doorway with the coffee. Tears crept down her cheeks.

Gabriel stood and held her. "What's wrong?"

"I get it. I didn't before, but now I understand."

"I have a perfect life, you, the boys, and my job. It couldn't get any better. I don't need anything."

"But I have breast cancer and the boys, well, they're boys."

"I understand. Things happen that are out of our control. Kids will be kids. I was a kid once and spend most of my day with kids. I do kids." He tightened his hug. "We'll fight this cancer together, and I'll be by your side every step of the way."

Katherine dried her eyes as she looked at Paul. "I'm sorry. Gabriel and I talked about this, but I didn't understand his reasons until just now."

Jeremy stood at the door with his arms full. "Coach said this doesn't belong in my closet." He glared at Gabriel. "Where do they belong?"

"Jeremy, where are your manners?"

"Hello Mr. Edwards. "Did your mom make you clean your room?"

"She did, and I make my daughters clean their rooms, too."

"Figures." He frowned at his mom. "Well? I can't play until I'm done."

Gabriel took the objects from the child. "I'll help you find them a spot." He walked toward the stairs. "Paul, duty calls."

Katherine smiled. "He's so good with them."

Paul chuckled. "Probably because he's a big kid himself."

She tilted her head. "I've thought the same thing."

He paused a moment. "To be honest, I've known Gabe since we played middle school football. He's one of the good guys and always was. The woman lucky enough to catch him will have a great husband and father." He grinned. "Matter-a-fact, the man who captures your heart is equally as lucky. I'm glad you found each other."

"I have a lot of baggage." She turned away.

Paul touched her arm. "When you were a teenager you made mistakes. You learned from them, right?" Their eyes met as she nodded, and he continued, "We've all made mistakes. Gabe doesn't hold it against you. I've seen him with the boys. He genuinely loves them." He exhaled. "I'm giving you some fatherly advice. Get over it. It's time you forgave yourself." He offered her a Kleenex. "Dry your eyes. Let's keep this talk our secret."

Nodding, Katherine kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

Touching his cheek, Paul grinned. "You're the first math teacher to ever kiss me. I enjoyed it."

"I understand why you two are friends."

He hugged her shoulders. "You're right."

*****
During dinner, Gabriel set his fork down and then said, "Katherine, next weekend is the last free time you have before chemotherapy. If it's all right with Sarah, why don't we go out on a real date, not a Homecoming dance?"

"I don't know..."

"It's a wonderful idea," interrupted Sarah.

Katherine closed her eyes before smiling. "It's a date."

~~~~~~~
There are two new towers close to my mom. She now has Internet. It's not good, but she has it. It comes and goes as I'm typing, but at least I have Internet.
~~~~~~~


CHARACTERS:

Katherine Riley: age 33 - widowed: husband died 6 months ago. She moved to Texas from NYC with her four sons. She teaches high school math and also coaches girls cross country.

Daisy: Katherine's yellow Labrador

Gabriel Hudson: High School football coach and former NFL defensive lineman

Reggie: a very large English Mastiff

Jeremy: Katherine's six year old son. He's in first grade.

Jordan: Katherine's fifteen year old son. He's a sophomore.

Joshua Katherine's thirteen year old son. He's in 8th grade

Joel Katherine's eleven year old son. He's in 6th grade.

Paul Edwards: High School principal and Gabriel's friend.

Rodney Frost: Math department head, at least for now.

Angie Brooks Math teacher and Katherine's friend.

Frank Collins Math teacher.

Rebecca and Harold Hudson Gabriel's parents

Sarah and Bob Beck Katherine's parents, Bob is deceased

Alan Green an Assistant Principal

Sandy Frost Rodney Frost's wife

Sam Auto repair shop owner

Bill Brooks Assistant football coach, Gabriel's friend, and Angie's husband.

Harold Hudson Gabriel's dad and football announcer.

Sandy Teenage girl on cross country team.

Judy Teenage girl on cross country team.

Rhonda Morgan Teenage girl on cross country team, and victim of dating violence.

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Rhonda's parents.

Kenny Clark Teenager - Rhonda's boyfriend

Grace Former friend of Gabriel and featured in porn magazine

Janette & Jackson Riley Katherine's in-laws

Dr. Martin Jordan's doctor

Troy Elder Lawyer and friend of Gabriel from his pro-football days

UIL The University Interscholastic League exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests. The UIL was created by The University of Texas at Austin in 1910 and has grown into the largest inter-school org

Benjamin Weinberg Lawyer for George's mistress and baby

Gail Mitchel and her daughter, Jewel George's mistress and baby

Melton Ivory Lawyer who tried to get a date with Katherine

Mr. Novak Riley's lawyer

Judge Ryan Washington Judge Troy asked to sit in the meeting.