Chapter 10

Dirk

Dirk led Gabriella under the covered wooden walkway, but pulled her to a stop in front of the general store. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Gabriella looked away.

"You could have trusted me, you know."

When she looked back at him, her eyes were filled with tears, threatening to spill over, causing his heart to ache. "After what I'd been through, I didn't know who I could trust."

He thought for a moment and then nodded. "I hope that one day, you won't doubt me." He turned to walk inside, but Gabriella stopped him.

"Dirk, I'm sorry, but I didn't know how to tell you."

Her voice was so remorseful that he pulled her into his arms. She placed her head on his chest, and he kissed her hair. "Don't worry." When he looked up, Mrs. Carson was peering through the window. When he spotted her, she quickly stepped back. "Besides, I think we need to go inside." When Gabriella pulled back, he nodded toward the window. "We have an audience."

Gabriella quickly stepped back, but Dirk immediately felt her absence.

He raised an eyebrow, tempted to pull her into his arms and give Mrs. Carson a show, but he didn't dare, not wanting to scare Gabriella off. "Shall we?"

She smiled and nodded.

He swiped his thumb under her eye, catching a tear. "Mrs. Carson, the shop owner, will be gossiping to her friends."

She nodded. "Let's go inside, then."

"Yes, let's."

"Welcome!" Mrs. Carson gushed when they walked in. "Why, Mr. Price! It is a pleasure indeed!" She walked closer, never taking her eyes from Gabriella. "And who might you be?"

Gabriella smiled. "My name isGabriella."

The older woman's eyes opened wide. "My, my! Finally, some culture here in this little town! Are you from France?"

Gabriella shook her head. It seemed to be a common question when people heard her accent.

"Actually," Dirk interjected, sensing Gabriella's discomfort, "we're just here for some last-minute items for the holiday. We'll just browse, if you don't mind."

A broad smile spread across Mrs. Carson's face. "Very well, then. If you need anything, just let me know." She pointed to the bolts of fabric along the wall. "If you need me, I'll be right over here."

"Thank you, Mrs. Carson." Dirk nodded his thanks and then followed Gabriella over to the vegetable table.

Soon, they had everything they needed for their Thanksgiving dinner, including fresh cranberries that Mr. Carson had bought from a farmer on his last trip into Laramie before the pass closed.

Before they left, some deep blue material caught Dirk's eye. "Would you like some fabric to make a new dress?"

Gabriella smiled. "I don't sew, but I embroider."

Mrs. Carson had been about to ring up their purchases but perked up at the mention. "What do you needlepoint?"

Gabriella smiled. "Just about everything. Pillows, mainly, but I also embroider pillowcases, and the cuffs and hems of dresses."

"Interesting." Mrs. Carson's eyes lit up as she made her way to the embroidery floss and embroidery frames. "We happen to have an extensive collection. Do you crochet, too?"

Gabriella nodded as a smile lit her lips. "Yes, I do, but I don't knit, although I wish I did."

"Well, if you're interested, the Widow Jenkins could teach you," Mrs. Carson supplied.

Gabriella's smile faded. "Thank you, but I'm not sure how long I'll be here."

Mrs. Carson's eyebrows shot up almost into her hairline, causing her stark brown bun to lift even higher. "Oh, do consider staying! We could use some culture here in Whiskey River."

Dirk's heart sank when he saw Gabriella's smile fade. He decided to intervene before Mrs. Carson scared her off. "I think we'll take these," he said, pointing to the vegetables that were set out on the counter. "Gabriella, get whatever you'd like."

"I can pay for it—"

"Nonsense!" Dirk replied. "The cabin could use a woman's touch."

Mrs. Carson lifted one of her eyebrows. "So, you're staying with Mr. Price?"

"Really, Mrs. Carson!" Gabriella said without missing a beat, raising her chin with a regal air, and walked over to the wool and embroidery floss. "I'm a virtuous woman!"

Dirk bit his lower lip to keep from smiling, noticing that she hadn't answered the question. But her reply was perfect, for the older woman took a step back and placed a hand on her chest.

"Oh… yes… pardon me," Mrs. Carson stammered. "I meant no harm—"

"Yes, yes," Gabriella said, waving her hand dismissively. "Thank you, but we will let you know if we require your assistance."

A crease formed between Mrs. Carson's eyes, taking a step back. "Well, I never!" Then she turned on her heel and walked behind the counter in a huff.

Dirk stepped close behind Gabriella and smelled her floral scent. "That was brilliant."

Gabriella smiled and whispered, "I didn't know how else to keep her at bay."

Dirk chuckled as he walked over to the counter where the spices were kept. If they were going to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings, then they would need a few more spices. "Pardon me, Mrs. Carson."

She lifted her eyebrows. "Yes?"

"I'd like some sage, nutmeg, ginger, salt, pepper…." Dirk continued as he ticked off the names of spices, keeping Mrs. Carson busy and away from Gabriella. He didn't want anyone to scare her. Hard telling what she had been through at the hands of those men. Dirk's blood boiled at the thought. He also bought some sugar, flour, and cornmeal. "There. I think that should do it." He glanced over at Gabriella, who was looking at some wool. "Gabriella, did you want anything?"

She smiled as she gathered some skeins of yarn into her arms. "Yes, but I'll pay for this."

"Oh, no—"

"Dirk, I won't take no for an answer," she cut him off, already digging into her reticule. Mrs. Carson's eyes bulged as Gabriella handed her a large bill, surprising Dirk, as well. "I'll also take an embroidery hoop and some floss, as well."

"Well… yes… of course! Just pick out the colors you'd like, and I'll ring them up." Mrs. Carson rushed to Gabriella's side and reached for the wool. "Here. Let me take that for you, my dear. You take all the time you need."

Dirk smiled, unable to resist. "Don't take too long or we really will have to stay the night here in town."

Mrs. Carson gasped.

Gabriella suppressed a smile as her eyes danced, obviously knowing that he was teasing the woman. "Don't worry. I won't be long." She quickly selected several small skeins of embroidery floss while Mrs. Carson picked out an embroidery hoop for her.

"Are you sure you won't require anything else?" Mrs. Carson inquired as she happily added up her purchases.

Gabriella glanced over at Dirk and her eyes twinkled.

"No," Dirk mouthed, knowing full well what she was about to do.

"Go ahead and add the rest of our purchases to the bill, too." Gabriella dug into her reticule again, but Dirk quickly placed his hand over hers, stopping her.

"No, my dear." A surge of electricity rushed through him from where he touched her. "I couldn't let you do that."

Gabriella must have felt it, too, for she froze as their eyes met and held, and then she pulled away.

Dirk wasn't surprised at his own body's reaction to her, but he was very surprised at hers. "Put it all on my bill—"

"No, I couldn't let you do that." Gabriella looked up at Mrs. Carson expectantly.

Mrs. Carson looked between the two of them, but quickly recovered herself. "Why don't we keep the purchases separate?"

"Yes, please," Gabriella chimed in before he could object.

Something inside of him—chivalry, maybe—wanted to pay for everything, but he knew Gabriella would never agree. So, he nodded.

Within minutes, they walked out into the snow with their purchases, headed toward the hotel, when Dirk stopped her. "Gabriella, let's go back to my cabin." He let out a deep breath, hating himself for what he was about to say. "The snow's not falling as heavily now, and we can be home soon."

Gabriella's smile faded as she gazed into his eyes, searching for something, and then nodded. "Dirk, I'm sorry you had to hear that I was kidnapped from Colton and the sheriff and not from me."

Dirk wheeled on her. "Then, why didn't you tell me? I would have protected you—"

"Would have?" Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "Dirk, I wanted to tell you—"

"Then why didn't you?" Dirk looked around and a few people passing by on the walkway across the street were looking at them. Dirk nodded at them. The couple smiled nervously and hurried on. "Gabriella," Dirk lowered his voice. "You can trust me."

"Dirk, please understand." Tears welled up in her eyes. "After what I'd been through, I didn't know who I could trust. Who was to say that someone else wouldn't hold me for ransom, too?"

"I wouldn't do that—"

"I didn't know that at the time." Gabriella looked away and then back again. "I didn't know who I could trust."

"And do you now?" His tone sounded much harsher than he had intended… even to his own ears.

"I'm beginning to see."

Dirk nodded. "Very well, then. I'll hitch up Angel."

Dirk was about to tell her to wait for him at the hotel where it was warm and that he would be there to collect her soon, but he didn't dare. If he let her out of his sight and something happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

They walked in silence to the livery stable and hurried to harness Angel to the sleigh. When he was finished, he helped Gabriella into the sleigh and slid in beside her.

They said nothing to each other as he guided Angel through the snow, falling in white puffs from the darkening sky. Soon, the snow fell harder, almost blinding.

Gabriella silently slid the quilt over Dirk's lap, but carefully kept her distance.

"We'll be home soon."

She nodded as she pulled the quilt up to her chin.

A few moments later, his cabin came into view. He pulled Angel to a stop by the front porch. "Go on inside and get warm. I'll take care of Angel and will be in presently."

"Do you need my help?" She looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes.

He smiled, shaking his head. "No, go in and get warm."

She nodded but paused. "Dirk, I—"

"Don't worry about it," he cut her off, looking straight ahead. "Go on in."

Gabriella paused for a moment and then stepped out of the sleigh and made her way up the frozen steps. When she opened the door, Buster came bounding out.

"Hey, boy! Want to help?" Dirk asked as Buster jumped into the sleigh.

Buster barked twice, wagging his tail.

"Good boy." Dirk clicked his tongue and guided Angel toward the barn. "If only people were more like animals: loyal, trusting…."

Buster barked twice and Angel looked over her shoulder at Dirk.

He never ceased to marvel at how much animals seemed to understand. Somehow, Dirk had always gotten along better with animals than humans, although he never knew why. He guessed that animals didn't lie. They trusted and loved unconditionally. Humans were different. It took a while to earn their trust.

Dirk guessed that he had to include himself in that, too. Since Sarah left, it had made him a bit less trusting of people. It would take him a while to be able to trust someone again like he had trusted her.

Suddenly, he understood Gabriella. If he was slow to trust after what he had been through, there was no doubt that she, too, found it difficult to trust others because of what she had been through.

After he rubbed down Angel and guided her to her stall, Dirk made his way through the blinding snow and through the back door of the cabin as Buster followed.

"Well! It appears that we made it back just in time," Dirk announced as he shook the snow from his coat and hung it by the door. He looked around but didn't see her. "Gabriella?" When he walked into the living room, only one candle was lit, illuminating her, bent over the fireplace, still dressed in her coat.

She had placed a log in the fireplace and was trying to light it. Dirk smiled at her persistence, realizing that she didn't know anything about caring for herself or a home. No doubt she had spent her life being cared for and doted on.

"You forgot the kindling. When the fire dies too much, you need to add kindling to start it." Dirk grabbed a handful of small, dry twigs. "Here, I'll do it."

When she pulled back, tears were streaking down her face.

"Ah, come here," Dirk cooed as he pulled her gently to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. "It's only a fire. No need to cry."

"It's not that," she sniveled. "It appears that I'm hopeless. Why did I ever run away? Why did I ever think that I could survive on my own?"

Dirk's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "You ran away?"

She nodded against his chest.

"From what?"

Gabriella pulled back and he handed her a handkerchief. "I was tired of being doted on, of people catering to my every whim. I wanted an adventure, to experience life—"

Dirk chuckled. "Well, you're experiencing life, all right."

She scoffed and stepped back.

"Hey." He placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You've been through a lot. You were kidnapped and, somehow, you found your way through the snow to my door. And in the short time you've been here, you've learned how to make biscuits."

Gabriella laughed through her tears.

"Give yourself some credit." Dirk shrugged. "You're stronger than you think."

She nodded, looking up at him with trusting eyes. "Thank you."

At that moment, he was tempted to pull her into his arms and press his lips to hers, but he wasn't ready to give his heart… and neither was she.

Instead, Dirk let out a deep breath and bent down to the fireplace. "First, you set a log in the fireplace, and then scatter some kindling over it…." He began a lesson on how to light a fire, thankful for the distraction. Soon, a fire blazed, filling the room with warmth.

They both silently warmed their hands. After they were warm, Dirk noticed that she was still wearing her coat. "Here. Let me get that for you." Without thinking, he slid her coat slowly down her arms, noticing the gentle curve of her neck as it met her shoulders. His fingers lingered a bit too long as they slid down her arms.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice husky with emotion. She headed toward the spare bedroom and then glanced at him over her shoulder, her blue eyes prominent in the firelight. "Good night." He nodded, and she turned and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

"What am I doing, Buster?" he asked as he hung her coat up on the peg next to his. "She's going to leave after the holidays."

Wagging his tail, Buster walked across the room and licked his hand.

"But she's here now." Deep down in his heart, he wondered what fate had in mind and how he was ever going to survive it… with his heart intact.