Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Gabby

T he end of the day is my favorite part. Some people enjoy new beginnings, but not me. I've always been the type of girl who had to read the ending of a book before I could start. I've always been obsessed with knowing if things are going to work out or not. I read the epilogue of a book before I read the first chapter. If I'm not sure how a movie is going to end, I'll search out spoilers online. It annoys a lot of people, but I am the way I am. It's a fatal flaw.

One I've been trying to correct in my life since I was a youngster, but I still haven't seemed to learn. I wish I had been able to do that with my marriage to Jeff, it was one of the only times I hadn't tried to envision what the end looked like.

I'm in the back of Get Baked, finishing up my closing procedures when there's a loud noise. The sound of breaking glass immediately puts me on edge. Although the days are longer this time of year, it doesn't mean that there isn't danger after a certain time of night. In the last few months there's been a rash of break-ins and robberies around downtown Broken Falls. It's been mostly abandoned buildings, and so far Get Baked hasn't been targeted, but I've definitely felt on edge. It looks like I haven't been so lucky this time.

Gripping my cell phone, I come out from the kitchen, glancing back and forth from the glass window that's now shattered and the inside of my shop. My heart thunders loudly in my chest, so loud I can hear it in my ears. When I can tell there's no one else inside but me, I collapse into myself. My hands shake, and I take an uneasy breath. Sighing heavily, I let the shakes go through me.

"Son of a bitch." I groan as I see that they've completely broken the window. It's seven at night, I don't know where I'm going to get someone to help me patch this up now. One of the worst parts of being a small business owner, is trying to figure out how to get things done immediately, during off hours.

"Gabby, are you okay?" The question is full of fear, and words taut as if he's trying to push them out of a tight throat.

It's the voice of the man who broke my heart, but he now appears to be my saving grace. "Barrett? I'm fine." I hope that just by saying the words, it means that I am okay, but I don't feel that way. The space I've always seen as my own, my safe spot. Maybe it isn't as safe anymore.

He comes in through the door, eyes wide, eyebrows pulled together. It's a mask of terror. "Things don't look fine. Did this just happen?"

I run a hand through my hair. It shakes, and I hope he doesn't see it. "Yeah, a few minutes ago. I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna get it patched up this late at night. I need to call the cops too, so I can get the report for my insurance."

He's got his phone in his hand, holding a finger up. "One sec, I'll take care of it." He's dialing and before I can ask him how he's going to take care of it, he's talking to someone on the other line. "Yeah, Colt. I know you're about close, but can I come get some plywood? Someone broke Gabby's front window."

My heart is in my throat when I see him nodding. He's taking care of this without me asking him to. No one else in my life has ever been this quick to help when things have gone to shit. The fact that this man and I let each other go so quickly pisses me off. We should've fought harder.

"Yeah, if you could bring it over, that'd be great. I can call Boone or Abel to help." He pushes his hand through his hair. "Are you sure? I know you need to get home to the family. Okay then, see you in a few." He hangs up, putting his cell phone down on one of the empty tables, as he walks out toward his truck.

I follow, watching as he reaches into the bed, grabbing a toolbox, and setting it on the ground. He kneels, before opening it, and pulling out a tape measure. With sure steps, he moves back into the lobby and starts measuring. "What's the plan?" I need to be involved. This is my livelihood, and while I do pride myself on being independent, sometimes you just need a little bit of help. It's nice not to have to take care of everything on my own. It doesn't seem to matter that the two of us haven't been together in months.

"Colt's bringing some plywood. He'll charge me for it tomorrow because he's already closing for the night. He's got the tools and he'll help me get this patched up. Can you grab me a pen or pencil and a piece of paper? If I get the measurements before he gets here, I can help this move faster."

Going over to the counter, I get what he's asked for, and watch as he makes notes on the paper. Relief flows through my body as I realize I won't have to sit down here tonight, keeping watch to make sure no one comes in and gets anything that isn't theirs. It's hard enough to make sure I'm not losing money, and this is a complication I hadn't counted on. "Barrett, I don't even know what to say." The adrenaline is fading away, and now I'm beginning to understand just how crazy the last few minutes have been. It could've been much worse, and I'm incredibly lucky.

He reaches out, his cold fingers gripping mine. It's the first time we've touched since we broke up, and I pull the gesture into my chest. I hold it close, and know I'll think about this often. Although we're both cold with fear, this is warm. "There's nothing to say, Gabs. I lost a year off my life when I saw the window broken out. I thought you were in here hurt."

Those words warm a place in my chest that's been cold since we said goodbye to one another. "Thank you."

He shrugs, but there's a glint in his eyes. There's a spark of hurt, and I just know these next words are going to hit me right in the chest. "No need to thank me. Just remember the next time you accuse me of being too young for you? I'm the one who dealt with this. And please for the love of all that's holy, make sure you set the alarm. I'm gonna worry about you until this hole is boarded up."

With those words, he turns on his boot, leaving. I want to call out after him, but I don't, because I don't know what to say to him. I don't know how to make this any better than what it is right now. Because he's just said the words that were our kryptonite.

They were the end of us as a couple. The elephant in the room. The reason we broke up in the first place...