Page 35 of In Love with a Ranger

“Hey,” Gideon’s voice said suddenly behind her as she felt him touch her elbow. “I thought I’d walk you to our cabin.”

“It’s okay,” she whispered glumly – only to feel the strangest thing. Gideon leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. Without asking, without prompting, he just did it. Turning slightly, she saw his sheepish smile as they both came to a stop for a moment. “What was that?”

“Me trying to comfort you,” he said softly. “It’s been a big day. One that started out wonderful and ended with hard news, but I wanted to let you know that I’m here if you need to talk.”

Christina stared up at him in the light of the full moon, feeling tears burn as the cold breeze stung her cheeks.

“Sometimes life just sucks the wind out of your sails, and it’s nice to have someone on your side. You are that for me – and I want to be that for you.”

“Gideon…” she began hoarsely, unsure what to say.

“Let’s get you inside so you don’t freeze,” he interrupted quietly. “We have an audience out here in the moonlight and I’d rather we were behind closed doors if you are about to smash our friendship to pieces.”

“I’m not going to smash it.”

“Thank goodness,” he smiled tenderly and took a step toward the cabin, silently prompting her to join him. They both began walking as she heard his voice again. “I don’t know how I would handle that if you did.”

“We are friends.”

“I hope someday we can be so much more,” he hesitated and smiled easily. “But when you are ready, Christina. I’m not pushing; it’s just a reminder that you’ve got a tag-a-long at your side now.”

“You’re not a tag-a-long,” she replied immediately as they stepped inside and then paused, unsure what to say. He wasn’t a shadow or some person along for the ride. There was something more between them, and she was scared it was just intimacy that he wanted and not her heart.

That was why she felt alone.

There was a gulf between them that she didn’t know how to get past – and she glanced at the sheet that they had tacked up to give the bathroom privacy. Gideon’s eyes were soft when he looked back at her.

“Why don’t you make some tea?”

“Sure. I can. Do you want some?”

“Please.”

She sighed heavily, turning on the television just to have some noise to quiet the rambling of her mind and moved to fill the kettle, hesitating. Shutting off the water, she realized the water was running, and it was coming from the bathroom. Startled, she looked around the corner past the sheet and saw Gideon sitting on the bench. He was starting a bath and pouring a capful of bubble bath inside.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought you might like this,” he said nervously, looking at her in alarm. “I can turn it off, if you…”

“Wait,” she said hoarsely, her nose burning and eyes stinging. “Why… why would you make me a bath?”

He stood up slowly, leaving the water running, and moved closer, pulling her into his arms and simply hugging her. She didn’t say anything, she couldn’t. This was probably the sweetest thing anyone had done for her and…

“Look,” Gideon began softly, smoothing her hair and kissing the top of her head. “It’s been quite a day, and I just wanted you to relax. I’m your partner and trying to take on the roll of spouse. A part of me would like to think that ten years from now if you are having a rough day – that you could turn to me or…”

“Stop,” she whispered, pinching her eyes closed and hugging him tightly. He couldn’t be this sweet or this nice because she was going to end up getting her heart broken if he was just in it for convenience or to fool around. Surely he wasn’t that sort of guy, was he?

“Okay,” he agreed warily. “You set the rules, remember.”

She nodded, trying to hold back everything only to feel him slowly step toward the right, pulling her with him. She chuckled thickly, trying not to cry and wiping her eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“Turning off the bathwater. I wanted to make you happy, not make you cry, and I don’t think they’d appreciate the bathtub overflowing by one of their guests. Hotels charge for that, and well, I’m still figuring out my life. I don’t need a bill for repairs.” It was so normal, so much like him, and just so down to earth that she laughed, burying her face against his chest.

“That’s better,” he said softly, resting his cheek on her head. “I'll finish making the tea if you want to soak.”

“Gideon?”

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