Page 61 of The Talk Around Town

Emma placed her hand over the top of his where it lay on her stomach. The slight ridge of one part of her scar ran beneath his hand, disappearing around her side, then under her. He’d never mentioned it, not even the night they’d spent together. He’d kissed the line of it that night, traced it down over her abdomen with his mouth but had never asked how, or why.

Stroking over the top of his hand, she ran her fingers up to his wrist, playing with the light dusting of hair she felt under the pads of her fingertips.

A hint of nervousness knotted her stomach. She’d been feeling this way, and fighting it, since she’d first met him the morning he’d come to play handyman and patch her broken pipes.

In the process, he’d patched her wounded heart as well.

“I love you too.” Her words were soft, almost too quiet to be heard,but his breath stilled all the same. The creak of the timbers in the old house was the only sound she could make out as she strained to listen.

Gabe pulled back from her and rolled her over to face him. “What did you say?”

Emma dropped her gaze from his, looking at anything around the room. Anything but him. She sighed and bolstered her courage. He’d already heard what she said, so she may as well make it official.

“I said, I love you too.” Her eyes darted back to his, making it a challenge, daring him to ridicule her admission.

Silver light entered his stormy-grey gaze, brightening it to a light, sexy slate. “Now that would have to be the best thing I’ve heard all day.”

Emma’s smile came back full force, relief bubbling up inside. Before she could think of an appropriate response, a bang and the clatter of tiny hooves sounded from the kitchen, echoing down the hall, coming closer with each breath.

Ralph burst into the bedroom and clattered to a stop on the floorboards beside her bed, his huge ebony eyes staring over the side at them. He lifted his head and placed his nose on the edge of the comforter, snuffling and bawling.

Emma looked up at Gabe and bit her lip hard, trying not to laugh.

“I thought he was outside?” Gabe lifted a brow and reached over to scratch the calf’s nose.

Emma’s laugh erupted. “He was. I’m guessing that was my screen door we just heard gobang.” She contemplated Ralph, eyes nearly closed in response to Gabe’s scratching. “I take it you’re hungry?”

Gabe’s chuckle joined hers. “I’m thinking Captain Destruction here is going to have to come back to the farm. He’s grown quite a bit in five weeks. We can’t have him wrecking all your hard work fixing this place up.”

Emma twisted her head to look at Gabe properly. “I thought you didn’t have time to look after him? Because you’re so busy and all?”

Gabe had the grace to look shamefaced. At least for a moment. Until the smug satisfaction set in. “I may have exaggerated a little.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, indicating for him to continue.

“He’s going to be a stud bull, comes from a great line.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Jez rejected him, and there you were with your cow phobiaand this sad look in your eyes. You were right, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

Emma elbowed him hard on his bare chest, unable to be angry with him, but still wanting to let him know he was in the wrong.

“You manipulative bastard! What did you hope to achieve?”

Gabe’s expanding grin wiped any annoyance from her body. “Exactly what I did. You aren’t scared of him, and while it may take longer to trust the bigger ones, it’s a darn good start.” He ran a knuckle down her cheek. “Plus, it gave me an excuse to see you all the time, even though I didn’t want to admit it.”

The grin faded from his full lips as he contemplated her. “You know, I still don’t have much time to myself. If he comes back home, he’ll need someone to help care for him until he’s big enough to go in with the others.”

Emma’s heart stuttered and stopped, jumping right into her throat. “What are you saying?”

A nervous smile flitted at the corners of his mouth, disappearing and reappearing in rapid succession. “I’m saying I love you.” His eyes closed for a moment, his expression brightening once he opened his eyes again. “Whoa… Saying it like this is harder than last time. And I’m asking you to come home with me. Move in with me.” Hope lit silver sparks in his storm-coloured eyes. “Will you?”

Elation rushed through Emma, washing over her from her toes right up to her scalp, widening an enormous smile on her lips. She tamped the happiness that hearing him say those words brought. She nodded slowly, pretending to think about it.

“I guess so. I mean, someone has to make sure Ralph gets fed.”

Squeals and laughter erupted into the air as Gabe’s hands found their target, tickling her. He grabbed hold of both her hands in one and held them above her head, leaning down to stare into her eyes.

“I take it that’s a yes, because I’m not accepting any other answer.” His mouth found hers, his kiss possessive.

Emma smiled against Gabe’s firm lips. “That’s a yes.”

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