Chapter 14

Gabriella

The next day was Christmas Eve, and the excitement of the holiday began to take over.

After breakfast, they spent the day making Christmas ornaments and decorations, preparing the cabin until it was time to get ready to go to church. Gabriella placed the last decorations—a star and red ribbons—on the mantle, atop a spray of evergreen that Dirk had woven together, creating a garland. The scent of pine filled the room. She looked around the house, taking in their efforts, pleased.

"It's time to get ready." Gabriella didn't want to leave Dirk, even for a moment.

Dirk nodded as he watched her. "Yes. It'll be time to go soon."

"I'll only be a moment," Gabriella replied in a low voice, heading into her bedroom.

She dressed in a white winter dress with white fur cuffs and collar. It was one of the most beautiful dresses she had worn in what seemed like a very long time. The bodice had an intricate design of swirls and flourishes, which traveled down the skirt and reached the floor. She pulled her hair up into loose curls. Gabriella found a matching white hat and pinned it into place, then slipped on white silk gloves.

A red cloak hung toward the back of the closet, so she took it out and laid it across the bed while she laced up matching white shoes. Then, Gabriella looked in the mirror and pinched her cheeks. Satisfied, she picked up the cloak and walked out to the living room.

Dirk gave a low whistle. "Wow! You look stunning!" He beamed as he crossed the room, very handsome in a black suit and white dress shirt that hinted at the bulging muscles beneath. To top it off, he wore a matching black Western tie. He held a new cowboy hat in his hand, and his black boots were shined to perfection. Dirk reached for her hand, never taking his eyes from hers, and gave it a gentle kiss. "You look lovely tonight."

Color filled her cheeks as she smiled. "Thank you, and you look very handsome."

"Allow me," he offered, reaching for her cloak.

She gave it to him, and her heart stirred as he slowly placed it on her shoulders. Gabriella tied it at her neck, and then turned to face him. But his hands lingered a bit too long on her arms as he looked in her eyes, taking her breath away.

Dirk looked away, recovering himself as he took a step back. "Well, we really should be going." His voice was husky.

She nodded as her heart fluttered and her breath caught, momentarily dazed by his scent, a combination of musk, leather, and rain. "Yes, we should."

Dirk opened the door for her, and she stepped onto the wooden porch. Although Kyle had cleared it for them earlier in the day, Dirk offered her his arm and escorted her down the stairs to the waiting sleigh.

"I could get used to this." She beamed, the happiest she'd ever been.

He leaned over and whispered into her hair, "I hope you do."

The snow glistened in the moonlight as they headed toward the church, casting a blue hue over the snow and sending the pine trees into shadow.

"Do you think you could be happy here?" Dirk asked, his voice merely a whisper.

"Dirk, I…." At that moment, she almost told him the truth about her family. About the monarchy… her duty to marry well… everything. But something stopped her. She didn't want to ruin the holiday.

Dirk let out a deep breath. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"No, you misunderstood." Gabriella paused, wanting to word it correctly. "And the answer is yes. I could be happy here. But—"

"Shh." He placed a finger gently on her lips. "That's good enough… for now."

She nodded, and then turned her attention to the scenery, warring with herself over whether to tell him or not, when a lovely stone church appeared in the distance. It was as if God himself had assembled it out of the most beautiful sparkling stone on earth and had set it in the snow, dusted snow across the roof, and then cast the blue hue of the moonlight over it.

"It's beautiful," she gushed as Dirk pulled the sleigh to a stop. More people pulled up in their sleighs and carriages.

"Yes, it is." Dirk wrapped the reins around the metal pole that stretched across the front of the sleigh. His eyebrows drew together in concern as he let out a deep breath and took her hands. "Gabriella, let's just enjoy Christmas together, no matter what happens."

Gabriella nodded. Everything was going so well that the last thing she wanted to do was to ruin the holiday. "Dirk, no matter what happens, I want you to know that it was one of the best holidays I've ever had."

For a moment, it looked as if he was about to say something but thought better of it. Instead, he headed around the sleigh to help her down. Dirk offered her his arm, and she took it. Then they headed toward the front door of the church through the snowflakes, falling lightly to the earth.

The minister was standing in the doorway, greeting his parishioners, dressed in a dark suit and tie that seemed to be popular around here. "Welcome!" He beamed as he shook Dirk's hand. "I'm so glad to see you here tonight."

Dirk smiled. "I'm just happy that the snow slowed down enough so the service didn't have to be cancelled."

The preacher nodded his agreement.

"Reverend Henley, may I present Miss Gabriella Grimaldi?" Dirk placed his hand gently on her back. "Gabriella, this is Reverend Caleb Henley."

The preacher took her hand and patted it softly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, miss."

"The pleasure is mine," she answered.

His eyebrows pulled together in concern. "I hope you enjoy your stay while you're here in Whiskey River."

"Thank you."

Gabriella tucked her arm in Dirk's, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Inside, the church was filling up fast. In the front row, two small children sat next to Mrs. Jenkins. Gabriella assumed they were the preacher's children. She couldn't imagine what he and his family were going through. It reminded her of when she had lost her own parents and went to live with her uncle. But he had been so busy that it was actually the governess who had raised her. But she was lucky; her governess had been very kind. Not all royals could say that.

Gabriella and Dirk spotted the sheriff sitting with his two children to the left. When Daxton saw Dirk and Gabriella, they slid over to make room for them. "It's good to see you here." Daxton looked over at his son. "This here is my son, Andrew—he's ten—and my daughter, Lillian, is eight."

Gabriella nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," she greeted the children.

Just then, a man handed them little white candles with hard paper around the bottom. Daxton took one and passed the others down the pew, until Lillian gave her two, one for her and one for Dirk. Then the man lit Daxton's candle, Daxton lit Andrew's, and the flame was passed along until it came to Gabriella and Dirk. Before long, the whole church was bathed in the golden glow of candlelight.

"You didn't tell me this was a candlelight service," Gabriella whispered to Dirk, taking in the beauty of the church.

He smiled, pleased with her reaction. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

"It truly is."

A moment later, the service started, ending all conversation. However, Gabriella noticed that no one was leading the song. Gavin, the organist, just raised his arm and everyone sang to the familiar tune of "Angels We Have Heard on High."

"Is there no cantor? No one to lead the people in song?" Gabriella asked, concerned.

Dirk shrugged. "No one has the courage."

Gabriella patted his hand as she gave him a kind smile. Then she slid out of the pew and walked over to the organist. "Would you like some help?"

Gavin smiled as he nodded. "The next song is ‘O Holy Night.'"

Everyone in the church fell silent as they listened to Gabriella sing. Then she raised her arms on the second verse, and everyone sang along quietly so they could listen to her.

When the song came to an end, Gabriella sat next to the preacher's children and Gavin in the first row, as they listened to the story of Jesus's birth. Then Preacher Henley gave a wonderful sermon about Jesus and how God had given the greatest gift of all to the Earth… in the form of a child.

When the sermon ended, the reverend nodded to Gavin and Gabriella. They took their places, and Gabriella started singing "Silent Night," first in French and then in English. Everyone listened in silence as they watched. Gabriella held up her arm to signal everyone to sing, but no one did. They just watched, listening to her sing. Gabriella was alarmed at first, afraid that she had done something wrong, but then she saw everyone smiling as they listened. When the song came to an end, they launched immediately into "Joy to the World" and everyone stayed until the service was over.

After the service, everyone clapped.

Mrs. Jenkins walked over to her, wearing a nice dress and a matching hat over her silver curls. "My, my! It's been a while since we've had a songbird in our midst! You have a lovely voice, my dear. Thank you for sharing it with us."

Gabriella nodded, blushing. "That's very kind of you to say. Thank you."

Mrs. Jenkins gave her hand a gentle pat. "You never told me you could sing!"

Gabriella shrugged. "You didn't ask."

Dirk crossed the church and stood by her side, beaming with pride. "Gabriella, you have a lovely voice."

"Thank you," she replied, snuggling into his side.

Mrs. Jenkins looked over at Dirk with disapproval, and then back to Gabriella. "Come see me at the boardinghouse, if you change your mind and need a place to stay."

Gabriella giggled. "Thank you, but I don't think that will be necessary. Mr. Price has been generous enough to let me stay in his spare room. Fear not. My virtue is quite safe."

Dirk bit his lower lip to keep from smiling.

Mrs. Jenkins gave Dirk a dirty look, and then patted Gabriella's arm. "Well, keep it in mind, should you change your mind. All the unwed young ladies who come to town stay at my house."

Gabriella nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins. I'll keep that in mind." She looked up at Dirk, "Shall we?" she asked, and he nodded. "It was good to see you here, Mrs. Jenkins. Have a very Merry Christmas." Then Dirk led her away.

"Make sure to come back," Mrs. Jenkins called after them as they wove their way through the crowd. "We need someone to sing in church every week!"

Gabriella would want nothing more than to stay in Whiskey River to sing in the church and maybe open a small library one day, but she pushed the thought aside. She had responsibilities to her family, to her country, and to the monarchy. If her time in Whiskey River hadn't taught her anything else, she'd learned that she couldn't run away from her responsibilities and her duty as a princess. She saw it in the way the sheriff cared for the town, despite the fact that he had children at home. She saw it in Dirk, with his loyalty to his farm and the livery stables. She saw it in the way Mr. and Mrs. Carson cared for their store, stocking products and caring for their customers. She saw it in the way Millie waited on and cared for the people at the restaurant in town.

At that moment, Gabriella's eyes were finally opened to what her uncle and Manfred Carlo had been trying to tell her all this time: She couldn't shirk her responsibilities and she could no longer run away from her duties as a princess. She must put the needs of her country first before her own. Gabriella guessed that she had finally grown up. It had taken her running away to realize what responsibility and loyalty truly meant.

"Gabriella," Dirk breathed, sounding a bit worried as they walked through the snow, leaving tracks behind them. The moon was just bright enough for them to see clearly in the darkness. When they reached the sleigh, he gently took her arm, claiming her attention. "Please don't let what Mrs. Jenkins said bother you. Her heart is in the right place. She means well." He let out a deep breath. "And if you'd like to stay with her at the boardinghouse, then it's okay with me."

Gabriella placed her hand on his cheek as she gazed into his eyes. "I meant what I said. Besides, I feel very safe with you." She thought for a moment, and then added, "That is, unless you'd rather I go to the boardinghouse." It was more of a question than a statement.

He quickly shook his head. "No, I'd rather you stay with me."

She smiled at the sincerity of his words.

"I mean, I have plenty of room, and the place is so large," he backtracked.

Gabriella nodded. "I understand. But, Dirk, I don't know how long I'll be here. I'll have to go when—"

"Shh," he said as he touched a finger gently to her lips. "Then let's just enjoy the time we have together, for as long as that may be." A broad smile spread across his lips. "Now, let's go home and enjoy the holiday together."

Home. Gabriella liked the sound of it. As he helped her into the sleigh, overwhelming sadness came over her. Her time with Dirk had been the only true home she had ever had. Yes, she had her cousin and her uncle in the palace back home, but it was different. Less personal. Dirk's openness and warmth made his house a home. She'd finally found her home with Dirk here in Whiskey River, and now she would have to leave it. But as they headed back to Dirk's cabin, she pushed the thought aside, determined not to spoil the evening. The memories they made together here would have to sustain her for a lifetime after she was gone.

"So, would you mind if we open our gifts tonight?" Dirk asked. "In my family, when I was a child, we opened the gifts under the tree from each other on Christmas Eve, and then Santa Claus left gifts for the children on Christmas Day. Is that okay with you?"

"It's perfect," she gushed. "But you didn't have to get me anything. You've already given me so much."

"Nonsense." He gently squeezed her hand. "I wish I could shower you with gifts all the time. If you'd let me, I'd spoil you."

Gabriella's heart clenched as a small smile lit her lips. She didn't want to mislead him, but she wanted nothing more than to stay with him, if she could.

Dirk sighed, pulling his hand away. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Gabriella reached over and took his hand in hers. "No, it's okay." She was about to say that she would spoil him, too, but she didn't want to make promises that she couldn't keep.

Within a few minutes, the bare trees and evergreens gave way to Dirk's cabin. A broad smile spread across her face as she anticipated what Dirk would think about the books and her special surprise. She hoped he liked his presents. Gabriella hadn't been so excited for the holidays in a very long time.

"Whoa!" Dirk pulled Angel to a stop in front of the cabin. Then he got out and walked around to Gabriella's side of the sleigh. "Gabby, why don't you go inside and start getting everything ready? I'll be inside in a bit, as soon as I unhitch April."

He reached out for her, but she stopped. "What was it you just called me?"

"Gabby," Dirk answered, then amended, "but if you'd rather I not call you that—"

"No. It's fine," she reassured him as she took his hand. "It's just that no one's ever called me that before."

"I'm sorry. It just slipped out—"

She pressed her finger to his lips. "I like it. It's okay."

He smiled as he helped her out of the sleigh. When she stepped down onto the snow, she slipped a bit, but he caught her in his strong arms, preventing her from falling. He looked down at her and then moved closer. She didn't turn away as her heart pounded against her rib cage in anticipation.

His lips met hers gently at first, and then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest as passion overtook them both. She pulled back a moment later, breathless. Although it was cold outside, she felt only warmth.

"I'd better go inside," she whispered, and gave him one last look over her shoulder. She felt his eyes watching her as she walked up the stairs. Before she went inside, he got in the sleigh and drove it toward the back.

"How are you doing?" she asked Buster as she walked inside. She bent down to pet him, and he wagged his tail.

Then, she headed into the spare room with Buster following, took off the cloak and hung it up, and then smoothed her hands over her dress and checked herself in the mirror. She pushed back a few loose tendrils. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold. She almost didn't recognize the woman staring back at her in the mirror. That girl was happy. In fact, she hadn't felt that happy in a very long time.

Gabriella walked into the kitchen and poured the eggnog that they had made. Then, she took out a velvet cake, along with sugar cookies, and many other treats. She had made all if it with recipes from her new cookbook and from Dirk's mothers' cookbook, too.

Earlier in the day, she had even cooked a turkey that Dirk had shot and had it on the counter. She slipped it into the oven to warm again. The scent soon filled the cabin as she placed it on the table, along with some homemade cranberry sauce that they had made together, and biscuits.

This time, the turkey hadn't burnt. Then she lit two tapered candles that were on the table in long-stemmed crystal candleholders. She stood back to take in the table, satisfied with her efforts, and then decided to make some hot cocoa.

She looked at the cellar door and thought for a moment. Not wanting to get locked down there again, she took a chair and propped it against the door to keep it open, and then walked down into the cold cellar and picked up a jug of milk that Dirk had set down there earlier that morning. A shiver ran over her as she went back up the stairs.

Dirk laughed, greeting her at the top. "So, you didn't want to get locked down there again?"

He placed the chair back at the table, and then leaned against the counter, his muscles bulging under his shirt as he watched her work. "Look. I'm sorry about—"

"Please, don't ruin it," she cut him off as she poured two cups of milk in a pan and set it on the stove. "I'm not sorry at all, and I hope you're not." She added two teaspoons of cocoa, and then sugar. "Let's just enjoy tonight. I haven't been this excited about the holidays for a long time."

"Honestly, I'm not sorry, either." He breathed a sigh of relief. "While you're making the hot cocoa, I'll rekindle the fire." He gave her one last look as he walked into the living room. "Everything looks great, by the way."

"Thank you," she replied, smiling. "But I had a little help."

"A little, huh?" he teased, laughing. They had made some of it together earlier that day, but Gabriella had made most of it while Dirk was tending the livestock.

"Well, maybe more than a little." She shrugged, an impish smile lighting her lips. "And having the cookbooks didn't hurt, either."

He laughed, watching her work.

Gabriella took the cups of hot cocoa into the living room. Warmth filled the room when she walked in, and the fresh scent of pine needles, evergreen, and cinnamon wafted through the air. Lit candles were placed strategically around, casting a golden glow over everything. Dirk was lighting the last one when she walked in.

"It's lovely." Her voice was merely a whisper as she handed him a cup.

Dirk nodded as he took it. "Why don't we eat first? I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Gabriella laughed as she walked over to the kitchen table, and he followed. "You couldn't be starving." Then she remembered that they hadn't eaten since breakfast. They had been so busy with the decorations that she had forgotten about lunch altogether. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. I guess I got busy… with everything."

Dirk laughed as he held out her chair for her. "I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself."

She laughed at the image he portrayed. With his burly muscles and height—probably around six foot two or three—referring to himself as a boy was comical.

Dirk proceeded to carve the turkey. "Gabby, would you like white meat or dark?"

"White," she replied, smiling at his nickname for her.

"Well, it's a good thing, because I love dark meat." He smiled as he placed a whole drumstick on his plate. "More for me."

Gabriella couldn't help but laugh. "Make sure to save room for dessert. We have plenty."

Dirk chuckled. "That's an understatement! I think we have enough to feed a small army. In fact, we should take plates over for Colton and Ella tomorrow."

Gabriella nodded her agreement as she took a sip of her hot chocolate. "This is good, even if I do say so myself."

"Now, I have to see that for myself," he teased, and took a sip. "Umm… delicious."

Gabriella laughed. "Are you surprised?"

Dirk smiled as he set down his cup. "Since you could hardly cook when you came here—"

"Well, I've learned a lot since then." Gabriella took another sip, and then set down her cup. "Would you like to say the blessing?"

Dirk nodded as a smile lit his lips. "Yes, I would." He said the most heartfelt blessing, thanking God for letting them be together to share the holiday, moving Gabriella almost to tears. When he finished, he ended with, "Let's eat!"

Gabriella laughed. "So, tell me about your childhood." She spooned some cranberry sauce onto her plate, along with a helping of stuffing.

Dirk shrugged. "There's not much to tell." He took a bite of a buttered biscuit. "I grew up in New York."

"In the city?" Gabriella asked, clearly intrigued.

One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "You sound surprised."

She shook her head as she nibbled on the stuffing. "It's just that you're a natural here. Country life suits you."

He smiled as he played with his mashed potatoes. "I grew up in the city, and there was no greenery until they built Central Park when I was older. The only greenery was in upstate New York." He let out a deep breath. "The city just had too many cobblestones and was too confining. Too many people, and too busy for my taste. I feel a lot more at home here." He thought for a moment, and then asked, "So, what about you? What was it like in Monaco?"

She shrugged as she played with her cranberry sauce, wondering how much to tell him. "It was much the same. Too confining. Just too… much." She didn't tell him that the "too much" was actually the palace. "I wanted adventure and grew tired of my life being mapped out for me. So, I decided to come out west."

He smiled as he picked up his hot chocolate. "I guess we have a lot more in common than we thought." He held his cup up to her. "Here's to the past, but may the future be much, much brighter."

Gabriella returned the smile as she touched her cup to his and then took a sip.

After they were through eating, he sat back and let out a deep breath. "That was delicious."

"Merci beaucoup,"she cooed. "But I had help."

He smiled. "No, you did this. Not me." Before she could object, he rose from his seat, excited as a child, and reached for her hand. "Come on, Gabby. Let's see what Santa brought."

Gabriella smiled, his excitement contagious. "You didn't have to get me anything!"

"Oh yes, I did," he teased as he pulled her arm toward the tree. "Let's go!"

Gabriella laughed. "You're as bad as a child."

"You have no idea." He quickly threw some hand-sewn couch pillows on the floor by the tree to open presents. "I used to love Christmas when I was a child."

"I'm glad to see that you still do." She chuckled, shaking her head as she let him lead her to a pillow.

Dirk sat on the other pillow by the Christmas tree, filled with gold, red, and green homemade decorations. "Yes… now that you're here to share it with me." He leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Are you ready for your present?"

She nodded, her eyes wide, but felt a bit guilty, not knowing how long she would be there. But she pushed the thought aside, determined to enjoy her time with Dirk.

Buster curled up on the floor between them and wagged his tail.

"Close your eyes."

She laughed and did as he asked, closing her eyes tightly, waiting as her heart fluttered.

"Okay. Open your eyes."

When she opened them, he held out a brightly wrapped package, beige with holly leaves and berries, tied with a white lace ribbon. "What in the world?"

Dirk beamed with delight.

Gabriella slowly peeled away the wrapping paper, revealing a gold box. She looked up at him and smiled, shaking her head. "Dirk, what did you do?" When she opened it, the most beautiful gold necklace she had ever seen lay in the box with a heart-shaped gold locket, adorned with intricate scrollwork. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she slowly ran her fingertips over it.

"Oh no!" Dirk grasped her upper arms, panicked. "You don't like it. I'm so sorry. I'll take it back—"

"Oh no, you won't!" she croaked when she finally found her voice. "C"est la plus belle chose que j"ai vu dans ma vie."

Dirk bit his upper lip to suppress a smile. "English, please?"

She looked up at him and smiled through her tears. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life."

Dirk smiled as he let out a sigh of relief and pulled her to his chest.

After a moment, she sat back. "Will you help me?" she asked as she held the necklace out to him.

"It would be my pleasure, my lady." He carefully undid the clasp, and she moved her hair aside as he fastened it around her neck. It fell onto her chest and came to rest just above her bosom.

"It's lovely." She beamed, looking in his eyes as she touched it. "Dirk, thank you so much."

He raised his eyebrows. "You really like it?"

She nodded, smiling as tears came to her eyes again. "I really do. C'est beau."

He smiled. "English?"

She gave him a kind smile. "It's beautiful."

"I'm so glad you like it," he cooed, reaching for her hand.

She took it, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Where did you ever find it?"

Dirk smiled. "That's for me to know."

She chuckled. "Mr. Price, you certainly are full of surprises."

"What do you say we sing Christmas carols and sit by the fire?" he beamed, reaching out to her.

"Oh no, you don't!" She jumped to her feet and darted into the spare room.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Close your eyes," she called from her bedroom.

"Okay, they're closed!"

"Promise?"

He laughed. "Yes, they're closed!"

"Don't peek!" She picked up his gifts and paused at the door.

He laughed. "I'm going to open them if you don't hurry!"

"You'd better not!" She peeked around the corner to make sure he was telling the truth, and he was making a big show of keeping his eyes closed. Gabriella hid Dirk's wrapped books behind her back and the special present behind the sofa. Then she tiptoed into the room and sat on the pillow in front of him. She held out the first present, with its brightly colored red paper and green Christmas trees, topped off with a gold ribbon. Mrs. Carson had placed it in a box before she wrapped it, so Gabriella hoped he wouldn't guess what it was. "Okay, you can open your eyes now." Her voice was merely a whisper.

Dirk opened his eyes, and they widened in surprise. "Gabby, you didn't have to do this." His voice was thick with emotion, reverent.

"Shh." She placed a finger gingerly to his lips. "You've done so much for me, it's the least I could do." His smile faded, but she placed a finger under his chin, forcing him to look in her eyes. "I wanted to."

He smiled and nodded.

"Open it," she chirped as a thrill ran through her body. She couldn't wait to see his expression.

He tore open the paper, revealing a box tied with brown string. "You really don't want me to open this, do you?"

She laughed. "Open it!" Gabriella clapped excitedly, bouncing on her knees.

He pulled a pocket knife from his trousers and easily cut the strings. Then he closed the knife and slipped it back into his pocket. Gabriella watched his face as he carefully took off the lid. His eyes grew wide as tears filled them. "Oh, Gabby!" He slowly lifted the book out of the box as if it were a newborn baby. "The Count of Monte Cristoby Alexandre Dumas! How in the world did you ever manage it?"

She wasn't going to tell him, but she thought he would eventually find out from Mrs. Carson. "I bought it at the general store. There was only one copy."

He reached behind her head and pulled her in for a quick kiss, and then turned his attention back to the book. "Gabby, thank you! This is the best gift anyone has ever given me!"

She smiled, pleased by his reaction. "I'm so glad you like it." She paused for a moment, and then added, "I have something else for you, too."

He looked up from his book. "Gabby! You didn't have to do this!"

"I wanted to." She shrugged, and then pulled the other wrapped book from behind her back. "Are you ready?"

He nodded, clearly excited.

She held it out to him, wrapped in bright green paper adorned with snowmen, tied with a bright red ribbon. He unwrapped it quickly. "The Nutcracker?" he asked, confused, and then a broad smile spread across his face as the realization dawned on him. "By Alexandre Dumas."

"I have one more surprise for you."

"Gabby, what did you do? This is too much!"

She beamed, pleased with his reaction. "Just close your eyes."

When she was sure that his eyes were closed, she tiptoed over to the sofa and pulled out the last gift. But this one wasn't wrapped. She held it out in front of him and smiled. "Open your eyes."

He did as she asked and his eyes opened in surprise as he looked down at a cross-stitched picture of his cabin, setting in the snow with the woods around, in a gold frame. "Gabby…. This is beautiful. Did you make this?"

She nodded and without warning, he pulled her to him with one arm. "Oh, Gabby," he breathed as he looked sincerely into her eyes, setting the picture aside. Then his lips descended upon hers as passion filled them both. He wrapped his other arm around her, pulling her across his lap, deepening the kiss as her breath quickened. Then he pulled back and brushed a strand of her hair away from her face as he looked in her eyes. The sincerity in his eyes said it all. "Gabby, I—"

"Shh," she said as she placed a finger over his lips. "Please, don't say it. Not now." Tears filled her eyes, for she knew that he was going to tell her that he loved her. But she couldn't hear it. Not yet. Not now… she had responsibilities….

Dirk forced a smile as he let her up. After he moved his arms away, she immediately felt his absence. "I love the books and the picture."

"I'm glad. Hiding it from you while I worked on it was hard."

He helped her to her feet. "Thank you." Even though he was smiling, he was suddenly distant.

She smiled, understanding. Instinctively, she reached up and touched her gold locket. "I love my locket, too, and the jewelry box. Thank you. Where did you find it?"

His smile broadened. "Again, that's for me to know." He winked.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Gabriella objected, the spell of the moment broken. "I told you!"

He looked up, acting like he was thinking for a moment. A sly smile lit his lips as he wagged his eyebrows. "I know."

"You!" She playfully shoved against his chest.

But Dirk caught her hand, suddenly serious. "The locket belonged to my mother." He turned away and placed the portrait on the mantle and picked up both books.

"Oh, Dirk. I can't accept—"

"Shush," he cooed, taking her hands into his as sincerity touched his eyes. "You can and you will. I want you to have it." Then he released her hands.

Gabriella nodded. "Thank you."

He smiled as he walked over to his books.

She started toward the kitchen to put everything away, but Dirk stopped her, giving her a gentle smile. "Just leave it. I'll put it away."

Gabriella bit her lower lip as she looked into his eyes. "If you're certain."

Dirk nodded. "I am."

She took a step back, toward her bedroom. It was funny that she already thought of it as hers. "I'll just say goodnight, then."

He gave her a small smile as he settled into the rocking chair with his new books. Buster laid on the floor beside him. "Good night."

She turned and hurried to her room so he wouldn't see the tears trickling down her cheeks.

Gabriella made it to her room just in time before the tears started to fall. Everything was going fine one minute, and then changed drastically the next… when she stopped him from saying that he loved her.

The truth was, she just couldn't bear the thought of giving her heart completely to him, and then leaving. No, leaving would be hard enough as it was without that. But one thing was certain. He had stolen her heart, even without her giving it to him. Never before had a man stirred her, made her feel things that she had never felt before. Never before had a man stood up to her the way he had. No matter what happened, when she went back to Monaco, she would have the memories of her time with Dirk in Whiskey River to sustain her for the rest of her life.

She tried to sleep but spent most of the night crying instead. She was almost asleep when Buster started barking from Dirk's room.

"Dirk?" she asked, her eyes half-open. Suddenly, there was a chill in the air. "Is that you?"

Nothing.

She turned over, settling in as she hugged the pillow to her chest, and tried to close her eyes. Suddenly, a strong hand clamped down over her mouth, and someone held her hands so tightly it hurt. She kicked and tried to scream, but the sound was muffled.

Buster's barking grew louder, and he started to growl.

"Listen," a male voice whispered in her ear. "If you go with us quietly, we won't kill your new beau." She continued to struggle, but then the man repeated, "Settle down! I mean what I say. I will kill him—the man that owns this place—if you don't come with us peacefully."

Gabriella stopped struggling.

"That's it," the voice approved, and then his face appeared before her eyes in the moonlight… it was Blake Dougherty. "That's better." She could hear his pleasure. They had found her. Her worst fears had come to life.

She brought her knee up hard into his groin as he let out a huff. As quickly as she could, she climbed across the bed to the other side… but Clayton was blocking her way. He grabbed her, and she cringed as he pulled her up by the arms and looked directly into her eyes.

As Buster's barking grew louder, she just hoped that Dirk wouldn't come in and get hurt.

"Don't try that again," Clayton growled in a low voice through gritted teeth, as Blake mumbled profanities under his breath. There were footsteps coming from Dirk's room to hers.

Please, don't let him get hurt, Gabriella thought to herself.

Clayton pulled her over to the door by one arm as she struggled. Then he pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Shut up. If that man finds us, we'll kill him and ask questions later."

There was a knock on the door. "Gabriella?" Dirk asked from the other side. "Are you all right?"

"Get rid of him or I'll kill him," Blake whispered into her ear.

She nodded once.

He and Clayton stepped away from the door, out of sight.

The last thing Gabriella wanted was for Dirk to get killed over her. She cracked the door open, careful not to open it too far. "Dirk, I'm fine. Go back to bed."

He nodded as he held Buster back. "Sorry to wake you. Buster thought he heard something."

She forced a smile. "I'm fine. Good night."

Dirk nodded and walked back to his room, taking Buster with him.

Gabriella's heart sank as she closed the door, knowing her chance at rescue had gone, but she was reassured that he was safe.

Clayton held her as Blake threw men's jeans and a flannel shirt at her, and then set some men's work boots on the floor beside her.

"What's the meaning of this?" Gabriella demanded.

Clayton shook her hard. "I said, shut up," he whispered.

She just hoped they could leave without Dirk or Buster getting hurt.

"Hurry up," Harley whispered from outside the open window, as snowflakes fell onto his red hair and beard.

"Shut the hell up," Blake mumbled under his breath. "Woman, hurry up and change your clothes."

"What?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Change your clothes," Blake replied, and then raised an eyebrow. "That is, unless you'd like to go in the snow in your nightgown."

"I will do no such thing!" Her voice was low.

"Don't try me," Blake warned as he picked up the clothes and shoved them at her. "Now, make it quick."

"Hmph!" She lifted her chin. "At least be a gentleman and turn around."

Blake laughed. "What? And have you knock me over the head while I'm not looking? No thank you. And I ain't no gentleman."

She turned around and as quickly as she could manage, she slipped off her sleeping gown, leaving on her corset and underwear, and then slipped on the work clothes that Blake had thrown at her. Then she slid on the black work boots that he had thrown at her. Hard telling who he had taken the clothes from. Then she grabbed an old hat and coat, and readjusted the low ponytail that she had slept in, tied off with a leather strap.

When she turned around, he glanced over her. One corner of his mouth curled into a menacing smile. "Now, that's more like it." He grabbed her by the arm, pushed her toward the window… and Gabriella didn't put up a fight. As he lifted her into his arms and passed her out the window to Harley, she hoped Dirk would come to forgive her… someday.

Moonlight shown over the earth, illuminating the snow in a blue hue as they left Dirk and his house behind. Any other time, Gabriella would have thought it beautiful. But now, the landscape was the farthest thing from her mind. Her memories went back to the night before with Dirk, opening the presents before the Christmas tree. It was only a few short hours ago, but it seemed like a lifetime. Now, it was Christmas before the dawn, not quite morning yet. What would Dirk think when he woke and found her gone? Would he come after her, or would he think that she had left in the night, just as his former wife had? She tried to push the thought from her mind.

Gabriella was riding on a horse alone. They had thought about tying her hands, and had debated it loudly, but knew she couldn't ride a horse alone. Now, she just needed to wait for the opportunity to escape. "Take me back, you brute! When Dirk finds out I'm gone—"

"He'll think you ran off," Harley reasoned.

"Not hardly. He'll know you kidnapped me again."

"Listen, you little bitch! You'd better shut up or I'll shoot you now and get it over with!"

She wished they would either kill her, take her to Laramie and try to get the money, or leave her alone. But what they didn't know is that her uncle had a far reach. If they tried to contact him for the ransom, they would be dead before they could ever collect. On second thought, she'd like to see them try. She narrowed her eyes at him and yelled at them in French. Even though she knew they couldn't understand her, it made her feel better anyway.

"Speak English from now on," Blake warned.

"I'll say what I want when I like," she replied, looking away, "and there's not a thing you can do about it."

Quicker than she would have thought possible, he stopped his horse, whipped out his six-gun revolver, and pressed it to her head. Then he pulled back the hammer.

"What the hell, Blake?" Clayton asked, having stayed out of the happenings until then. "You gonna shoot her now? What about the ransom?"

"Put that damn thing away," Harley ordered, ducking behind Gabriella, "before you shoot one of us."

"It'd be an improvement," Gabriella mumbled under her breath.

"You really want me to shoot you?" Blake asked, still pointing the gun at her head.

She narrowed her eyes at him, and they never wavered. "Go ahead."

Harley's eyes grew wide. "Don't you even think about it, Blake!"

Blake stared her down and then smirked as he uncocked the gun and slipped it back in its holster. "Don't push me, woman."

She scrunched up her nose and squinted. She knew it was childish, but there was no way she was going to back down from these men.

Harley rose up in his saddle. "Come on, Blake! Let's get some provisions and get out of here before the sun rises. We can get in and out before anyone knows she's gone."

"Blake," Clayton whined, his gold tooth shining as snow started to fall again. "I'm getting hungry."

"We can wait." Blake started off as Gabriella reluctantly followed.

Clayton's mouth fell open in disbelief. "But I'm hungry!"

Blake glanced over his shoulder. "You and your damned stomach! Come on. I don't intend to stay here long enough for them to find us."

"I'm hungry, too," Harley agreed. "Clayton ate all our provisions while we were waiting to grab her."

"Did not!" Clayton wailed.

Blake let out a deep breath. "Fine! We'll go into town, get what we need, and then we'll head to Laramie. But we'll have to hurry. The sun will be up soon." He looked over at Gabriella and narrowed his eyes. "But if you so much as look the wrong way, attract any kind of attention at all, or run from us, I'll kill you myself. Understand?"

Harley laughed so hard that his red beard shook. "You think we can just stroll into town like nothing's wrong… with her?" He motioned toward Gabriella.

"Why not?" Clayton asked. "No one knows her there."

Gabriella hoped that maybe someone would recognize her in Whiskey River, even though she had only made a few trips into town. But then again, it was still early. No one would probably be up yet.

Blake looked in her eyes, searching. After a moment, he let out a deep breath. "The town's just up ahead."

"How did you know that?" Gabriella asked, amazed.

"We've been hanging around the area, waiting for an opportunity to grab you," Clayton replied matter-of-factly.

"Shut the hell up!" Blake rolled his eyes. "We have to hurry. I want to be in Laramie before the snow starts coming down again. We need to send her people a telegram."

"The pass is closed, and we'll freeze to death before we get there," Gabriella said in a sing-song voice.

"Shut up!" Harley threw over at her. "If we go through the woods, we won't need the pass."

"She's right. We can't make it all the way to Laramie today. We'll freeze to death," Harley reasoned. Suddenly, the snow started coming down again, emphasizing his point. "No, we need to get some supplies and hole up somewhere until we can get the money."

Gabriella laughed. "Oh, no! I'm not staying with you idiots for that long! You're crazy!"

"Shut up!" Blake reached for his gun.

"Go ahead and shoot me! I'd rather die than stay with the likes of you." Then, she thought she'd take another approach.

Clayton looked at her, his eyebrows raised.

As the horses plodded along toward Whiskey River, the snow started falling harder. Gabriella just hoped that Dirk would come looking for her.

As they neared Whiskey River and she listened to the three idiots making their plans, she wondered if she would ever see Dirk again. Would she ever have the chance to tell him how she felt? She had always heard that a wish made on Christmas would come true. If it was true, she silently wished that she could see Dirk one more time, so she could tell him that she loved him.

Gabriella followed Blake, with Clayton and Harley behind. As they walked slowly into town, her eyes darted around for someone, anyone, that she might know. She searched Dirk's livery stable, but no one was there. When they passed, the rest of the town was deserted, too. All the businesses were closed, even the saloon.

"A saloon!" Clayton yelped as he jumped off his horse in one swoop. "I knew they didn't call this Whiskey River for nothing!" He ran across the pristine snow and jumped onto the wooden porch, almost slipping on the ice, but quickly recovered himself. Then he grabbed the door handle and shook it, but it was locked. "What the hell is this, anyway? Usually, the saloon's never closed!"

"It's Christmas Day," Gabriella observed. "Maybe the owner is home celebrating the holiday."

"Shut up, bitch!" he barked, doubling his fists.

Gabriella just stared him down, her eyes never wavering, hoping that he would make enough noise to attract attention.

"Clayton, shut up and get back on your horse," Blake stage whispered, looking around. "We need food more than we need whiskey, and it'll be sunrise soon. Come on." He looked up and spotted the Whiskey River General Store. "Now, that's more like it."

With Gabriella between them, they all walked slowly toward the store. While the men were distracted, Gabriella's eyes darted around, looking for Daxton or Colton, but they were probably still in bed. She looked toward the right. The hotel and restaurant were closed. When she looked in through the windows, her heart jumped within her chest, for Millie was taking a chair down off a table, obviously getting ready to start the day.

Gabriella's breath caught, and she was ready to jump the horse through the restaurant window or cause some sort of distraction, but then she felt the cold steel of a gun against her back.

"Don't even think about it," Blake growled through gritted teeth.

Gabriella's heart sank. If she could only get Millie's attention….

Harley jumped off his horse when they stopped in front of the general store but was more cautious than Clayton had been. He looked around. Seeing nothing, he walked slowly up to the door. It was dark. No one was inside.

He tried the door, but it just rattled, locked.

Harley used the butt of his gun and broke one of the small windowpanes, reached in, and within a few seconds, the door was open.

"Hold it right there." A balding older man, dressed in a robe, was pointing a rifle at Harley. Gabriella was relieved to see that it was Mr. Carson. He pulled back the hammer of his rifle, and it clicked into place, ready. "Now, I suggest you leave before you wind up dead."

Harley laughed as if it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "There's three of us and only one of you. You really think you can take us all?"

The shopkeeper shrugged. "I have six bullets and only three of you, so I'd say that's pretty good odds."

"You really want to die, mister?" Blake asked, and then took a step toward the store, but Mr. Carson shot near his head in warning.

"I missed on purpose… that time. I won't miss again."

Blake held up his hands. "Mister, you don't have to die today. We're only here for some provisions."

"Then wait until tomorrow and buy it proper, like a real man." Mr. Carson's eyes never wavered as he cocked his rifle, ready.

"We are real men." Blake lunged forward and knocked Mr. Carson to the ground, but then a shot rang out behind them, causing plaster to fall from the ceiling.

Gabriella looked over and Mrs. Carson had a rifle pointed at the men. She cocked it expertly and pointed it at Blake. "As my husband said, leave, or the next one's going in your gut."

Blake laughed. "Well, well. Just what I like. A brave woman."

Mr. Carson hurried to his feet and picked up his gun. "Now, throw down your weapons over here and get out."

Gabriella knew she had to do something. She quickly turned the horse around toward the restaurant and kicked its sides. "Help! Millie! Someone!" Gabriella shouted as loudly as she could, headed toward the restaurant.

But Clayton caught up with her, pointed his gun at her head, and pulled back the hammer. "Stop right there and shut your mouth! That is, unless you want to die."

Gabriella stopped and looked over at the restaurant one last time. Millie stared at her through the window and ran to the back.

"Let's go!" Blake mounted his horse, and Clayton and Harley did the same, carrying as much as they could. He looked over at Gabriella. "Now!" She leaned forward and kicked her horse with her heels, urging her into a run to keep up with them.

As they passed, Millie stepped out of the restaurant with a shot gun. "Stop right there!" she ordered and then shot at them. Blake shot back at her, but she quickly ducked behind a wooden barrel sitting in front of the restaurant.

Gabriella glanced over at Millie as the sun began to rise, hoping beyond all hope that she would get word to Dirk.