Page 18 of A Whiskey River Princess

Toward lunchtime, most of the chores were finished and he started to get hungry. When he walked in through the back door, the kitchen was reasonably clean, except for the stove. He would have to show her how to clean it later. Two plates sat on the table, with coffee cups at two place settings, along with a plate of sandwiches. The bread was cut into uneven slices, too thick and too thin in places. He pretended not to notice.

“Gabriella?” Dirk asked, impressed. He walked into the living room to find her in the rocking chair, reading one of his books from the mantle. He grinned, amused. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Yes.” She didn’t look up. “It’s a good book.”

A smile lit his lips. “Yes,Romeo and Julietis one of my favorites.”

“You’ve read it?” she asked, astonished.

He chuckled. “It’s my book, isn’t it?”

She nodded in concession.

“I see you’ve made lunch,” he observed as he took off his coat. “What changed your mind?”

She closed the book and rose from her seat. “Well, I thought it was the least I could do after all you’ve done for me. I mean, you saved my life last night.”

He shrugged. “Well, I couldn’t leave you out in the cold.”

“And I couldn’t let you go hungry.” Gabriella smiled. “Shall we?”

He led the way to the table. She followed, picked up the coffeepot, and filled the cups. “Gabriella, when I finish eating, I’ll set up the spare bedroom for you.”

She sat down at the other place setting. “No need. If you give me the sheets, I’ll prepare it myself.”

“You know how to make a bed?”

Gabriella shrugged. “I’ll try.”

A broad smile spread across his lips as he pointed his sandwich at her. “You need to eat.”

Dirk liked the way she was willing to pitch in. It was a nice surprise from her earlier attitude. When he went outside, he’d fully expected to come in to see a disheveled house and a few broken objects, but she’d obviously had time to think and must have changed her mind.

He looked around and everything was reasonably clean. The stove needed to be cleaned and a few other things needed to be done, but for the most part, everything was in good shape. He would teach her how to clean later. He had to admit, it was nice to have a woman in the house again, even if it was only temporary. He finished the last of his coffee and was reaching over to take the coffeepot when there was a knock on the door.

Dirk wiped his hands on a dishtowel, but when he looked at Gabriella, she was frozen to her spot, her eyes wide.

“I wonder who that could be?” He frowned and started toward the door.

Gabriella grabbed his arm, panic in her eyes. “Please, don’t answer it,” she whispered, holding onto his arm for dear life.

He looked down at her shaking hands, and then into her eyes as his eyebrows pulled together in concern. He took a step forward, but she didn’t let go, her hand trembling as she unconsciously dug her nails in.

“Don’t worry.” Dirk patted her hand, trying to make his voice as soothing as possible. “It’s probably just Colton or Daxton. I’ll just see who—”

“No!” She held on tightly but loosened her grip when she saw the resolve in his eyes. “Please, I’m begging you. Don’t tell anyone I’m here.”

He nodded, and then gave her hand a gentle pat. “Go into the kitchen and stay there. No harm will come to you. I promise.”

Gabriella nodded as she slowly released her grip on his arm, but jumped when there was another knock on the door, louder this time. Dirk placed a finger on his lips and motioned for her to go into the kitchen, and she did.

He wondered what in the world could have scared her so badly. The same girl that had stood up to him like a feisty kitten with her fur ruffled was now frightened out of her wits. When he opened the door, he understood. For standing on the other side were three men, dirty, smelly, and scruffy.

A man with a gold tooth had his hat in his hand. “Excuse me, sir.” He fidgeted with his hat. “But our sister wandered off in the middle of the night, and I’m afraid she’s not well. Delusional, in fact. Fancies herself a princess—”

A redheaded man nudged him hard in his side.

The man with the gold tooth gasped, but quickly recovered himself. “Well, I was wondering—”

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