Chapter 25: John

Chapter 25 – John

It’s five o’clock by the time we arrive at the lodge. I got Gabrielle back later than I’d promised Hannah. I help Gabrielle dismount Odin. She groans when her feet touch the ground.

“Are you sore?” I ask.

She nods as she rubs her backside. “My thighs and butt hurt.”

“Sorry about that.” I cup her face and gaze down at her. “I’m proud of you. You handled everything well—the bobcat, camping rough for the first time, and the climbing incident.”

“It certainly was an adventure.” She glances toward the lodge. “I guess I’d better get cleaned up and get to work.”

“I’ll come find you as soon as I take care of the horses and the tack. How about I meet you for dinner in an hour?”

She lights up at that. “Yes. I’d like that.” She sighs. She surprises the daylights out of me when she cups my left cheek and goes up on her toes to kiss me. “I’ll see you in a bit, cowboy.”

I watch her until she disappears inside the lodge.

“So, how was it?” Nora asks me. She’s leaning against a wooden fence post, her arms crossed over her chest.

“It wasn’t boring,” I say with a laugh. “Had to chase a bobcat off in the middle of the night, and then we dealt with a rescue and medical evac.”

“I don’t mean that part. I mean you and Gabrielle, up there by yourselves. How’d it go?”

I fail at keeping a straight face. “It was amazing. She’s amazing. I think she enjoyed it. I know I did.”

Smiling, Nora nods. “Good. Like I said, you deserve someone special, boss.”

After we finish with the horses and gear, I run up to my cabin to clean up. Looks like we’re goin’ out on an official date this evening. I should look my best.

After I step out of the shower, I wipe the condensation off the bathroom mirror and stare hard at my reflection. If Gabrielle’s willing to go out with me—be seen in public with me—then the least I can do is show up for her. Show up all the way—all in. No hiding. No cowardice. No insecurities.

I dress in my nicest pair of jeans, my best brown leather boots, and a white dress shirt with mother-of-pearl snaps. I strap on my watch, then towel-dry and comb my hair.

No hat this evening. No hiding.

I walk over to the lodge and enter through the main doors and cross the lobby. “Hey, Kevin.”

Kevin’s working the guest counter. He does a double-take when he sees me. “Wow, Burke. I almost didn’t recognize you without your hat.” His gaze lands on my scarred face, then he quickly looks away, down the hall. “If you’re looking for Gabrielle, she’s in the restaurant.”

I nod. “Thanks.”

The restaurant is nearly half full this evening. I recognize a lot of folks from town, so I guess word is getting out. Tammy’s standing at the podium. I catch sight of Gabrielle walking through the dining room carrying a water pitcher, stopping from table to table to refill people’s glasses. When she spots me, she stops in her tracks, her eyes widening.

She changes direction and comes right to me, beaming. “Your hat.”

Nervously, I brush my hair. “I thought I’d leave it at home this evening.” I also left my glove.

When she looks at me, I see so much emotion in those beautiful eyes. She knows what a big deal this is for me, to go out without my hat. I’m exposing myself to curious gazes. I’m risking a lot.

She skims my outfit, then reaches up and brushes my hair. “You look very handsome, John.”

I catch her hand. “You look beautiful.” That’s an understatement. Her hair is up in some kind of loose bun, with a couple of ringlets hanging free. She’s wearing those gold hoop earrings again and lip gloss from the looks of it. She’s wearing a cream-colored dress that displays a hint of cleavage, a gold heart locket around her neck, and sandals on her feet. “Peaches and cream.”

She smiles. “Thank you.” And then to my absolute shock, she leans closer and kisses me on the mouth, right out in public. It’s a light kiss, but it’s intentional, and her lips linger a moment against mine.

My heart slams into my ribs.

“I saved us a table,” she says, taking my left hand and leading me across the room to a quiet corner table. “Have a seat. I’ll join you in a moment.”

She fills the two glasses at our table with ice water, then walks back to the podium to have a word with Tammy.

Tammy nods, puts out the PLEASE SEAT YOURSELF sign, and takes over Gabrielle’s server duties.

Gabrielle returns to our table. “How about some chili and cornbread? Nelle made it from scratch since I didn’t have time to prepare anything for this evening.”

“That sounds fantastic,” I say. The evenings are getting cooler as fall approaches, so chili is perfect.

She heads to the kitchen and returns a few moments later with our food. Then she takes a seat opposite me at the two-person table. “Thank you,” she says, holding her hand out.

I take her hand and squeeze it gently.

“You did that for me,” she says.

I know she’s referring to my hat. “I figured I might as well get used to it. If you’re brave enough to be seen with me, then I should at least be brave enough to show myself.”

“I’m not being brave.” She squeezes my hand. “I’m honored to be out with you.”

I see nothing but sincerity in her gaze. I hear nothing but sincerity in her voice. My throat tightens, and I’m at a loss for words. I swallow hard. “Thanks.”

She smiles. “Dig in. I think you’ll like it.”

While we eat, Hannah and Killian stop by our table to say hi.

“How’s the kid doing?” I ask Killian.

“He’ll live.” Killian shakes his head. “The dumbass. He’s lucky he only broke his leg. It could have been a lot worse.”

“You guys are coming to Ruth’s tonight, right?” Hannah asks us. “Maya has organized a bit of a celebration.” She laughs. “Of course, Maya doesn’t need much of an excuse to organize a party.”

“We’ll be there,” Gabrielle says, catching my eye as if to confirm.

“Lookin’ forward to it,” I say, lying through my teeth. I’d rather stay home and sit out on the front porch with Gabrielle to watch the stars come out and listen to crickets, but if Gabrielle wants us to go, we’ll go.

As they take their leave, Killian nods to me. “I never realized you had so much hair.” Then he winks at me. “It’s a good look for you, man.”

* * *

After dinner, I hang around the restaurant to help Gabrielle out. When the dinner period is over, I help her clean up the dining room, while the ladies clean up the kitchen.

We’re ready to leave for the tavern a few minutes before nine.

“Are you sure about this?” Gabrielle asks as she climbs into my truck. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

I start the engine. “I’m sure.”

She leans over and kisses my cheek. “I appreciate what you’re doing.”

I brush off her thanks. “It’s nothing.” I’m attempting to play it down, but I think she sees right through me.

We drive into town, and I have to go around to the back of the building to find a parking spot. “Looks like it’s gonna be crowded tonight.”

When we walk in through the back door, Maya jumps up from a big table and waves.

It’s packed in here tonight. The tables are full. The dance floor is busy, as are the pool tables and the dart boards. There’s even a small crowd of youngsters standing around the juke box.

Ruth waves at us from behind the bar. “Glad you could make it,” she yells over the chatter. “Have a seat and I’ll come take your drink orders.”

I feel naked without my hat. I’ve gotten so used to being able to hide myself in public. Now I’m on full display. I notice a few curious stares.

Gabrielle reaches for my hand and links our fingers together. “Ready?” she asks, smiling.

I nod. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

We join our friends at a long table. Everyone’s here—Maya, Travis, Hannah and Killian, Jennie, Maggie and Owen, and Micah.

“Let me introduce you to Micah,” I tell Gabrielle. “He’s the helicopter pilot who flew Kirk to the hospital.”

Micah stands and offers Gabrielle his hand. “Micah Jackson,” he says. “Pleased to meet you.”

Like is sister, it’s apparent Micah is Native American. His hair is jet black, long and straight, held back with a leather tie. His skin is burnished a warm shade of copper, and his eyes are dark as obsidian.

“Please to meet you, too,” she says. “That was pretty impressive flying up at Pine Lake today. And I understand I have you to thank for the new brakes and tires on my Jeep.”

He laughs. “Yeah, I’m the resident grease monkey around here. If you need a vehicle fixed or a chopper ride, I’m your guy.”

Micah shakes my hand. “Hey, Burke.” He gives me a once over. “I didn’t know you had so much hair. Anyway, I’m glad you were on site at Pine Lake today and able to call us in so quickly. That poor kid was really suffering.”

Now that all the introductions are done, Gabrielle and I take our seats, opposite Maya and Travis.

“Hey, girlfriend,” Maya says as she offers a fist bump to Gabrielle. “Glad to see you could make it.”

Gabrielle touches her fist to Maya’s. “Thanks for inviting me.”

Ruth sets two pitchers of beer on the table. Teddy, one of her employees, sets down a tray of glasses. “Beers are on the house this evening, guys,” she says. “To a job well done.”

Most everyone is still full from dinner, but Ruth brings out two platters of appetizers. She comes to join us for a few minutes, taking the empty seat at the head of the table.

Maya leans across the table. “Hey, Ruth, who’s the hottie sitting at the end of the bar?”

Of course everyone turns to look. Sure enough, there’s a dark-haired man sitting back in the shadows, holding a shot glass in his hand.

Ruth shrugs. “No idea. I think he’s new in town. Not very talkative, though. He keeps to himself, doesn’t say more than he has to, and always pays in cash.”

“I’ll bet he’s some kind of cop,” Maya says.

“I’d know if he worked for the sheriff’s office,” Ruth says.

“No, not that kind of cop,” Maya says. “I’m talking federal, like he’s some kind of agent. Maybe he’s undercover.”

Travis shakes his head. “Maya, you watch too much TV.”

“I’ve seen him in here before,” Killian says.

Maya pours herself a beer. “Everyone be cool. He’s looking this way.”

Of course everyone looks, but the mystery man doesn’t appear to notice. Or, if he does, he’s not showing it.

Ruth rises from her chair. “As long as he behaves himself and pays his tab, he’s welcome to sit there as long as he wants.”

Maya stands, too. “Come on, Gabrielle. Let’s go see if they have any music from this century on the jukebox. I’m getting tired of listening to country music from the eighties.”

Gabrielle laughs as she stands. “I’m not sure I’ll be of much help, but I’ll go with you.”

Jennie and Hannah join them, and the four girls crowd around the jukebox.

“How you doin’?” Killian asks me.

I shrug. “Fine. Why?”

“Just askin’. I’m just not used to seein’ you socializing. I’m glad you’re here.”

Suddenly, there’s a commotion coming from across the room. We all turn to see a young blond-haired guy wearing jeans and a red plaid shirt standing at the jukebox.

“Back off, asshat,” Maya says, loud enough to be heard throughout the bar. “We’re not interested. That means you need to get lost.” Then we clearly hear her threatening to break his arm if he touches her again.

Instantly, my pulse shifts into high gear. The men at our table shoot to their feet. At that same moment, I notice the stranger at the bar stands, too, his laid-back posture gone in a flash.

Before I can even take a step toward the jukebox, the guy in the red plaid grabs Gabrielle’s hand and pulls her into his arms, clearly trying to coax her into dancing with him.

Oh, hell no.

And then I’m on the move, followed closely by the rest of the guys.