Chapter 7: Gabrielle

Chapter 7 – Gabrielle

Apparently, word travels fast in Bryce, Colorado, especially when a homecooked meal is involved. “I believe there’s plenty more pasta available. Have a seat, and I’ll get you some.” I grab a menu and lead the sheriff to a table for four in the center of the room.

He sits, then takes off his hat and sets it on the chair catty-corner to his. Then he runs his fingers through his shock of thick blond hair.

Wow. Bryce, Colorado seems to have no shortage of handsome men.

“What can I get you to drink?” I ask.

“I’ll take a Coke if you have one. I’d rather have a beer, but as you can see,” he points to the shiny gold badge pinned to his shirt, “I’m on duty. Just thought I’d stop by and take a dinner break. I heard the new chef arrived this morning.  You didn’t waste any time gettin’ to work, did you?”

“Well, there are a lot of hungry people here at the lodge.” I gesture toward the kitchen. “I’ll get your food right out to you.”

I glance back at John. “Just a second. Let me get the sheriff his food, and then we can go.”

I head into the kitchen, where Betty and Nelle are starting to clean up from the dinner rush. “Please tell me there’s more of the Alfredo left. I promised some to the sheriff.”

Betty laughs. “Yes, there is.” She points to a covered pan on the stove. “Certainly enough for one person, maybe two.”

I dish up a heaping portion of pasta along with slices of grilled chicken and garlic bread. I guess it can’t hurt to get on the sheriff’s good side from the get-go. When I return to the dining room, I find John waiting, standing by the host podium, watching me. After I set the food in front of the sheriff, I go get his soft drink. When I return, he’s already made a good dent in the food.

“This is fantastic,” he says, pausing to wipe his mouth on a napkin. “Really good.”

“I’m glad you like it. Do you think you’ll save room for dessert? This evening we’ve got blackberry cobbler a la mode and brownies.”

His blue eyes widen, making him appear even younger. “Wow, that’s going to be hard to choose. Can I have both?”

I laugh. “Of course. I’ll go ahead and get your desserts now, as I’m getting ready to take off. I still have so much yet to do this evening.”

He nods. “I imagine so. Hannah and Killian are lucky to have you. I’ve heard a lot about the restaurant where you worked in Chicago—some fancy five-star Italian place. I can’t wait to see what you do with this place. Jennie’s Diner is fantastic, of course, but it’s nice to have another option.”

After I bring him his desserts, he offers me his credit card. “That’s okay,” I say. “It’s on the house.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’m happy to pay, honestly.”

“It’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Day,” I say, making that up on the fly.

“Then I guess it’s my lucky day for two reasons,” he says.

And then he winks at me.

John coughs to clear his throat, as a reminder he’s waiting for me. “We should go, Gabrielle,” he says.

“Right. Enjoy your meal, sheriff. It was a pleasure meeting you. If you need anything else, just pop your head into the kitchen. Betty and Nelle can help you.”

John and I finally leave the restaurant and take the stairs up to the apartments on the second floor. I unlock my door, and John follows me inside.

“I guess the pasta was a big hit tonight,” I say as I switch on the living room light. I cross to the kitchen and turn that light on as well. I feel a bit self-conscious now that it’s just the two of us in my apartment. “I hope to develop the first draft of a full menu this weekend so I can run it by Hannah and Killian.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine with whatever you come up with.”

“Thanks, John.” He’s standing there pretty stiffly, with his hat still on. “Would you like to sit and relax? Can I get you something cold to drink?” Suddenly, I’m curious to find out if he’ll take his hat off.

He shakes his head. “Thanks, but I should get back to the barn and check on the horses before it gets any later.” He heads for the door but pauses when he gets there. “So, are we still on for the farmers market in the morning?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind driving me.”

“Sure. Then Monday I’ll drive you to Denver to the kitchen supply center.”

“That would be fantastic. The sooner I can order the new appliances, the sooner the kitchen will be renovated.”

He reaches up with his right hand to grip the top of his cowboy hat. For a brief moment, I think he might take it off, but no, he tips his hat. Such a gentleman.

His left hand is in his front jeans pocket, out of sight.

John, what happened to you?

But I don’t ask. If he wanted me to know, he’d tell me himself.

“Goodnight, Gabrielle,” he says as he turns the door knob behind him.

“Goodnight, John.”

After the door closes behind him, I’m left staring at an empty room. I haven’t even been here twenty-four hours yet, and already so much has happened.

* * *

I take a quick shower and wash my hair. Dressed in my pajamas—knit shorts and a tank top—I let my hair hang loose and dry on its own. To kill time, I unpack my luggage and hang up my clothes. I organize my undergarments in the dresser drawers. I didn’t bring much with me. Besides my clothes, I brought my laptop, my tablet, some books, and my collection of family photo albums.

It’s nine-thirty when there’s a quiet knock on my door. I get up from the sofa and check the peephole. It’s Hannah. “Hey,” I say when I open the door.

She peers into the apartment. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

I laugh. “Like what?”

She shrugs. “Oh, nothing. Can I come in for a few minutes? If it’s not too late?”

“Of course.” I swing the door open, and Hannah comes in carrying a bottle of red wine.

She hands it to me. “It’s a little housewarming gift.”

“Thank you.” I happily take it and put it on the kitchen counter. “Where’s Killian?”

“He’s working on the generator with Toby, our head maintenance guy. So, how do you like the apartment? If there’s anything you want to change, no problem. If you want to bring in your own furniture, or replace anything, we can put this furniture in storage.”

“No, it’s great. I love everything in here. Do you and Killian live here in the lodge?”

“No. We have a log cabin about half a mile up the road in a small clearing.” Hannah sits in the recliner. “I just wanted to touch base with you, see how everything went today. I know it’s a lot to take in at once. I heard through the grapevine that word got out about the fettuccine Alfredo.”

I laugh. “Apparently. Even the sheriff showed up.”

“You met Chris. Good. He’s a great guy. He and Killian have become good friends. And you met Maggie and Jennie and Ruth?”

“Yes. They seem really nice.”

“They’re awesome. We get together pretty regularly at Maggie’s house for dinner. I hope you’ll join us.”

“I’d love that.”

“And how about Burke? How did that go?”

“Great. John seems like a really nice guy.”

Hannah smiles incredulously. “He lets you call him John?”

“Yes. Is that strange?”

“I should say so. No one calls him John. It’s Burke, or you risk getting your teeth knocked out.”

“Really?”

Hannah nods. “Really.”

“I accidentally walked in on him in the barn as he was changing his shirt after returning from the trail ride. His hat was off, and I saw his face. He uses his hat as a shield. And I noticed he limps.”

Hannah’s smile fades. “Yeah. He never talks about it. He was in the Army, a Ranger, and was deployed in Afghanistan until he got a medical discharge. I don’t know all the details, but there was an explosion, and his face and hand were burned. He also got a lot of shrapnel in his left leg, which is why he limps. That’s all I know.”

“I’m sorry he was hurt.”

“Word of advice—don’t ever tell him that. He hates pity. He’d just as soon everyone ignore his scars.”

“Got it.”

There’s another knock on the door.

“That would be Killian,” Hannah says.

“Come in!” I call.

The door opens and Killian comes in. His gaze goes right to Hannah. “Ready, babe?”

She stands. “Yes.” Then she gives me a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Have I mentioned that yet?”

I laugh. “A few people have.”

“I heard you’re going to the farmers market tomorrow,” Killian says.

“Yes. I want to check out what I can get locally.”

“And Burke’s driving you?” Killian asks, confirming.

I nod. I’m looking forward to spending more time with John. There’s something about him—whether it’s the wounded warrior thing or the sexy cowboy thing, I don’t know. But it’s something.

After Hannah and Killian take off, I get ready for bed, finish drying my hair, and braid it for sleeping. I climb into bed with my tablet and read until my eyelids are too heavy to keep open.

After turning off the bedside lamp, I stretch out between the cool sheets and sigh. This move to Colorado feels good. This place feels good. And I’ve already met so many people—Betty and Nelle, Maggie, Jennie, Ruth, the sheriff. And, of course, John.

I feel a pang of sadness when I think of all the loved ones I left behind in Chicago. My friends, my parents.

Yawning, I roll onto my side and wrap my arms around the spare pillow. I hope things will be different here in Colorado. Back home, I was so busy at the restaurant—trying to outdo everyone else—I had no time for a life. I routinely worked twelve-hour days. I’m hoping life is a bit slower in Bryce. I’m hoping to find time to have a life, to have time for friends. Maybe even have time to date.

I set the alarm on my phone for six. That’ll give me time to get ready and help out in the kitchen before the breakfast rush begins and before John and I leave for the farmers market.

The last thought in my head before I drift off to sleep is the expression on John’s face when I walked in on him this afternoon in the barn.

I know shame when I see it. He seems like such a strong, confident person, and knowing that he’s ashamed of his injuries—his scars—breaks my heart.