Page 84 of More Than a Fling

“What started out as a fantasy in my mind, a money grab, became something else entirely in real life. By the time I realized the true consequences I was in too deep. I found a family and people I cared about. I know it’s lame and will never be enough, but I’m most sorry that I betrayed a man I grew to respect.”

“Respected me so much you tried to destroy everything that mattered to me.”

“When it all went down in the barn that night, Slim surprised us, I yelled for Kip to stop but he knocked Slim out and left him to die. I tried to pull him out, but Kip stopped me. He had a gun, I had no choice but to go along.”

“And to lock Midnight in a stall to burn to death? What kind of person could do that?”

Cal had no answer, he just hung his head.

“You didn’t have to come here today, I thank ya for that,” Cal said.

Gabe stood up and walked out of the meeting without saying another word.

40

Annie found Gabe out in the paddock with Midnight. He looked so forlorn that her heart hurt. She quietly walked up to them and put her arm around Gabe’s waist. “Babe I came to pull you away for dinner. Hi Midnight,” she said.

Midnight sniffed her outreached hand looking for treats. “I just happen to have what you’re looking for,” she said pulling out an oat cookie.

“They’re coming to get her this Friday,” Gabe said.

“I know that’s going to hurt like hell.”

“I knew it had to happen eventually, but I didn’t expect it to be so damn hard.”

“Your bond is special. You saved her Gabe. She knows that. For that you have to feel good. If it weren’t for you, she might have been put down. You gave her life back to her.”

“She gave me so much more than I ever did for her.”

“I’m sure they would let you visit her,” Annie said.

“Now that’s a thought,” he said, smiling for the first time in a while.

“She will always be in your heart. That won’t leave with her.” She grabbed Gabe’s hand and said, “Let’s go eat.”

“I have to let Whiskey in the paddock with Midnight and throw them each a flake of hay. I’ll be right along.”

“Don’t take too long or things will be cold,” Annie said. “Bye Midnight.”

* * *

Annie watched Gabe pick at his meal. She tried to make conversation, “I heard that they were finally able to reach Bradley.”

“Oh yeah? How did that go?”

“Apparently he’s in Florida and has no intention of returning to Michigan. He is bartending, of all things. Says he feels free for the first time in years and he wants to keep it that way,” Annie smiled.

“At least he is out of your hair and stripped of his power.”

“He really wasn’t cop material,” she said in agreement. “Since no charges were filed against him by Sam, and he quit the force, he really is free.”

Annie got up and cleared the table. She had started a fire in the fireplace and said, “Let’s go snuggle by the fire and watch a light movie, what do you think?”

“Sure.”

“Let Annie make it all better,” she teased.

They sprawled out on the couch together, her back to his chest, Gabe hugging her tightly against him. He kissed her neck then began to nibble.

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