First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) Read Free Page B

cannot control in this life, father. I would think you’d know this by now.”
    “Watch your tone with me.” The older man scowled. “And I should think by now you’d know there are very few things we can’t control.” He leaned back in his big leather chair. “I will accept, however, that the weather is one of them.” He folded his hands on the desk. “I’m ready to discuss the status of several projects. Oh, and I need your business cards.”
    With a frown, Gabriel sat in the chair across from the desk. “They aren’t ready yet. I was supposed to get pictures today, but...weather.” He watched as his father glowered at him. “I’ve rescheduled for next week.”
    “Your course work. I need you to be done on time.” His fingers were drumming on the desk now.
    Gabriel licked his lips and chose his words carefully. “I’ll be taking the last few classes I need in the States over the summer since I that’s where I found them being offered. Don’t worry. I’ll be done on time.” He stared evenly at his father and prepared to field the next question.
    His father leaned forward. “Won’t that make for a long daily commute?” One eyebrow arched dangerously.
    Swallowing hard, Gabriel admitted, “I plan to live there near the SUNY Plattsburgh campus during the week. My classes are only Monday through Thursday. I’ll come back on the weekends.” He had given this much thought. At twenty-four, he was eager to be more independent. He loathed living at his father’s house.
    The man gave him a discerning look. “As long as you’ll be done your classes, I suppose. You’re dismissed. I’ll see you at dinner.” Then without even saying a formal goodbye, he turned his attention back to the open file on his desk.
    Slowly, Gabriel stood. “Don’t you want to hear how the meeting went with the clients?”
    Without even looking up, his father responded. “I’ve already spoken with the clients. I know precisely how the meeting went.”
    “I closed a multi-million dollar deal.” His arms fell limply at his side.
    “I know.” There was an edge to his voice as he stopped working to stare at Gabriel again. “Is there something you wanted me to say?”
    “I suppose ‘congratulations’ is too much to hope for. See you at dinner.” Then he strode from the room. He hated the way his father made him feel, so small and insignificant.
    The worst part was that he was supposed to be in the States right now. He glanced at his watch. He imagined he would be finishing up his photo shoot right now, making plans for a late dinner, and even going out after. He would stay in the nicest hotel room the small city had to offer before registering for classes and securing a summer apartment from the list the realtor had faxed him. Scowling, he hopped in his BMW and listened with some satisfaction as the engine purred to life. “Next week will be better,” he said to himself.

Chapter Two
     
    Isabella
     
    Though Jack never respected their wedding vows, he had apparently respected everything she’d said the night before. When she woke in the morning, Isabella discovered he’d never come home. She had no idea where he was staying and she reminded herself not to care. She had once heard divorce compared to a death in the family. Isabella had disagreed then, but disagreed still more vehemently now. Divorce wasn’t a death in the family; it was the death of the family. The perfect little family Isabella had struggled to create was now dead. Jack and her sister had killed it. Somehow she still had to function. Somehow she had to get up every day and take care of the kids and get Konnor to daycare and Rebecca to kindergarten. Somehow she would hold back the tears that were constantly stinging her eyes, their water level so close to the surface. She was afraid of one wrong move, someone saying the wrong word at the wrong moment, causing a fissure in the facade she had fabricated.
    As soon as the bus picked up Rebecca, Isabella