Page 33 of A Whiskey River Princess

“Mywhat?”she asked, her voice raising a few octaves.

Dirk chuckled. “See what I mean? Just take a deep breath and count to ten before you let your temper get the best of you, or before you jump to conclusions. I don’t know what you’re used to, but here not all men are evil or are out for one thing.”

Gabriella looked out over the street and nodded. “Yes, my uncle is a good man. But this is my first time away from home.”

Dirk’s eyebrows rose in interest. “And where is that exactly?”

Gabriella bit her lower lip, as if wondering how much to tell him. “On theCôte d'Azur.”

“The French Riviera?”

She nodded, surprised. “I thought you didn’t speak French.”

Dirk laughed. “I don’t, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not educated.”

Gabriella’s eyes opened wide. “I didn’t mean to offend—”

“Don’t worry about it,” Dirk cut her off.

All of a sudden, the door of the restaurant opened and Harrison Curry, the restaurant and hotel owner, stepped out. “I thought I heard someone. What are you two doing out here in this mess? Come on in and get yourself warm.” He wrapped his arms around himself as if to emphasize the point. “It’s freezing out here!”

Dirk smiled. “This is Gabriella Grimaldi. Gabriella, this is Harrison Curry, the owner of this place.”

Gabriella gave him a sheepish smile. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

For a moment, Dirk wondered what had happened to her to make her so distrusting of men. But he knew that she would need time before she told him, and he intended to give it to her. “Harrison, would you show Gabriella in, and I’ll be right back. I need to take care of Angel first.”

Harrisons lips curled into a smile. “Why, of course!” He proudly held out his hand to help her out of the sleigh. “It would be my pleasure.”

“Now, don’t get any ideas….” Dirk smiled but shot him a warning look.

Harrison laughed. “You know I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Gabriella gave Dirk one last look over her shoulder, causing his heart to stir. Then she took Harrison’s arm and let him lead her in. At that moment, he wondered who she was and what she had endured. But one thing he was certain of was that no matter what she had suffered in her past, she was safe with him. He vowed to protect her at all cost, no matter who or what from her past came knocking on his door.

Chapter 9

Gabriella

“Right this way, miss,” Harrison crowed as he led Gabriella into his restaurant. “Have you and Dirk had dinner yet?”

She shook her head.

“Well, good! Then, dinner’s on me tonight!” Harrison led her to a table in the center of the room.

All the tables were round with crisp white tablecloths adorning them, almost covering the spindly wooden legs. Harrison pulled a box of wooden matches from his pocket, struck one along the rough side, and lit the white candle in the center.

“You really don’t have to do that—”

“Nonsense!” Harrison pulled out a chair for her and then leaned in conspiratorially as she sat down. “It’s been a long time since Dirk has brought in a lovely lady friend to dine with him.”

Gabriella blushed. “Merci Beaucoup.You’re too kind.”

“Oh! Are you from France?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m from theCôte d'Azur.”

Harrison’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? What part?”

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