Page 70 of More Than a Fling

“That could take forever. I’ve been concerned about poking the beehive, as I mentioned last time,” Darcy said. “Maybe she should hold off on filing for now.”

“It’s very complex, I know,” Captain Gregory said.

“Thank you for your help Bob, we really appreciate your honesty,” Darcy said.

“It really sucks that Annie is so vulnerable,” Sam said.

“Make sure she isn’t alone and that she carries pepper spray at all times.”

“We’ll do that. Keep me posted Captain,” Darcy requested.

“I will. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”

“At least we have the evidence.”

“Yes, that’s very important. Have a good day,” The captain said.

“Thanks.”

Darcy and Sam left the office discouraged and very concerned for Annie’s safety. “Things always seemed stacked for the bad guys. It sucks,” Darcy fumed. “Let’s head over to the salon and fill Annie in.”

Sam pulled out of the parking lot. “You read my mind.”

31

After work Annie and Gabe went to her condo to pack up some things and returned to Gabe’s house to unload. Gabe had cleared a couple of drawers for her and designated half his bedroom closet to Annie. If it weren’t for the circumstances she would be thrilled.

They went together like peanut butter and jelly. It just worked. She had never been in a relationship that was so easy. The sexual tension exhilarated her but they could also relax together, like they were currently doing. Sitting on the couch with her feet in his lap, the lights turned low, watching a movie while trying to forget about the danger lurking beyond these farmhouse walls.

She glanced over at Gabe. He had fallen asleep. He looked so handsome, feet propped up on the old coffee table, his head tipped back against the couch cushions, ink black lashes fanning his cheeks. It was all she could do to not wake him. Just looking at him aroused her. But his workdays started at the crack of dawn, so she let him sleep on.

How will this all end?She let her thoughts drift and Robbie popped in, which led to her fantasizing about having Gabe’s baby and wondering what he or she would look like. If it ever happened, she hoped they would have his eyes and hair. She hoped they would grow up to be kind like he was.

They would ride horses as soon as they could sit on one. They would grow up with dogs and chickens. They would never doubt that they were loved. She and Gabe shared that. They knew what it felt like to be rejected by a parent and that pattern would stop with them.

With as little disturbance as possible she switched ends and nestled her head into his lap. Still asleep, he automatically cupped his hand between her neck and shoulder, his fingertips resting on her collar bone. Annie couldn’t stop herself from touching him and rested her hand on his thigh, her fingers inching up toward his groin.Down girl, let him sleep!She forced herself to pay attention to the movie and shortly after, she too, was sound asleep.

* * *

Annie had decided to take a mental health day and canceled all her clients. It would be a major pain in the ass to get them back in, but she desperately needed the time off. Gabe had put her to work filling water buckets and giving the horses their morning grain and when they were turned back out, she helped muck the stalls. Slim came by to supervise and it seemed to Annie like he might be softening toward her.

“I reckin keepin busy is always good for chasin the devil away,” he said.

“It does seem like a good distraction," Annie agreed.

“I’m here iffin ya need anything, I’m keepin my eye on things.”

“Why thank you Slim,” she said, touched by his words.

“Hain’t nothin I wouldn’t do fer anybody,” he said.

Annie grinned. “I’m sure that’s true Slim, I’m just glad to have you on my side for a change.”

“I reckin Gabe’s as close to a son as I got, I’d do prit near anything fer him, that includes cepting you.”

“I’m not so bad once you get to know me,” Annie said, laughing.

“I whittled ya something,” he said.

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