Page 35 of A Whiskey River Princess

“You can always stay with me, if you like,” Millie offered.

Gabriella’s eyebrows rose. “You wouldn’t mind?”

A broad smile spread across Millie’s face. “No, not at all! I’d enjoy the company! Any friend of Dirk’s is a friend of mine.” She gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Besides, Dirk wouldn’t let you sleep out in the cold.”

Gabriella nodded as she smiled, knowing she really had a lot to learn about people in the West. Here, Millie didn’t know her at all but was willing to let her stay in the same room with her, just because she knew Dirk. For that matter, Dirk didn’t know her, either, but had taken her into his home without question. Gabriella could see that the people here in Whiskey River looked out for each other.

Dirk smiled. “Thanks for the offer, Millie, but we’ll see if Harrison has an extra room available first. Now, what’s the special tonight?”

A broad smile spread across Millie’s lips. “Paul has some roast left and he always has his famous fried chicken.” She looked over at Gabriella and smiled proudly. “Paul Garrett, our cook, makes the best in three counties.”

“The chicken sounds delicious.” Gabriella never had fried chicken before, and she had always wanted to try it.

Dirk smiled as he reached across the table and held Gabriella’s hand. “Make it two.”

“Mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and hot bread like usual?” Millie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dirk looked over at Gabriella and she nodded, enjoying that Dirk was asking and not just ordering for her. In Monaco, she always ate the very best foods, but never had a choice. The menus were planned way in advance, and she just ate what was served without question.

“Sounds good,” Dirk replied. “Thanks, Millie.”

“Not to worry.” Millie gave Dirk’s hand a friendly squeeze. “I’ll have that out in just a bit.”

Gabriella watched as she walked away and then turned back to Dirk. “She’s very friendly, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is.” Dirk’s lips curled into a smile. “She’s as good as they come.”

Gabriella smiled. “Have you known her for a long time?”

“Ever since she came to Whiskey River.” Dirk let out a deep breath, thinking. “She left home when she was young and came to the West.”

Gabriella leaned in, clearly intrigued. “Why did she leave home?”

Dirk shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her.”

Gabriella’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Don’t you know?”

He smiled. “Yes, but it’s not my story to tell.”

She nodded, understanding. He didn’t like to gossip or to tell other people’s stories. How admirable.

One of Dirk’s eyebrows rose. “So, what brought you to the West?”

Gabriella shrugged, smiling as she sat back. “Just craved adventure, I guess.”

Dirk chuckled. “See? We all have our secrets.”

Gabriella leaned her head to the side, contemplating what he’d just said. At that moment, she wanted to tell Dirk everything: where she came from, about running away in search of adventure, and about being kidnapped. She sensed that she could trust him, that he wouldn’t try and hold her for ransom,too, or send word to her uncle to come get her. But then again, greed did awful things to people.

“Here you go!” Millie proudly announced as she placed the plates on the table without ceremony, along with a half a loaf of piping-hot bread. “Can I get anything more for you?”

Dirk glanced over at Gabriella, raising his eyebrows, and she shook her head. “No, we’re fine. Thanks, Millie.”

A broad smile spread across Millie’s face. “If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll be back to warm up your coffee in a bit. Enjoy!”

Gabriella looked at the plate before her and it was filled with fried chicken, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and creamed corn. “I’ll never eat all this.”

“Good.” Dirk winked, causing her to blush. “More for me.”

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