Page 39 of A Whiskey River Princess

“Dirk?” Daxton asked, looking behind her.

Gabriella didn’t look, unable to take her eyes from the sketch.

He let out a deep breath. “Yes, those are the men who came to my door.”

Daxton picked up the poster. “I’ll let the U.S. Marshall know.”

Dirk stopped him, placing a hand on his arm. “Daxton, they were armed. Be careful.”

He nodded in understanding. “Thanks, Dirk.” Then he held his hand out to Gabriella, helping her to her feet. “And thank you, miss….”

“Grimaldi,” Gabriella supplied, her voice thick with emotion. Her eyes didn’t meet his, for fear that he would recognize her name and her title. “Gabriella Grimaldi.”

But he just smiled. “Thank you, Miss Grimaldi.” He patted her hand, mistaking her emotion for fear. “Don’t you worry, miss. We’ll find these men. In the meantime, we can take you into custody for protection—”

Gabriella gasped.

“No,” Dirk cut him off. “I’ll keep her safe. Don’t worry.”

Daxton looked in Dirk’s eyes for a moment and then nodded. “Very well, then. If you see anything out of the ordinary at all, let me know right away.”

Dirk nodded as he extended his hand. “Thanks, Daxton.” He shook both his and Colton’s hands, smiling. “Well, Daxton and Colton, you both must come for Thanksgiving dinner.”

Gabriella’s eyebrows lifted in panic. She opened her mouth to speak but Daxton chimed in before she could say anything.

“I’d love to! Let me know what to bring,” Daxton replied.

Colton shook his head. “We won’t be able to make it, but I appreciate the invitation.”

Dirk’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Is Ella having a rough time?” Then he turned to Gabriella to explain. “He’s about to become a papa. When’s she due again?”

Colton smiled proudly. “In March. And, yes, she is. This pregnancy has been hard on her.”

Gabriella’s heart went out to him as concern colored his features.

Dirk clamped his hand down on his arm. “Well, then. We’ll bring you some plates. Gabriella will—”

Gabriella gasped. How was she going to cook Thanksgiving dinner for two people, let alone many? “Now, wait. I’ve neverhada Thanksgiving dinner before, let alone cook one.”

Colton smiled. “You don’t have to worry. I was going to fix dinner—”

“Nonsense!” Dirk objected and then turned to Gabriella. “I’m going to help you, remember?”

She raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “I sincerely hope so. I keep telling you that I don’t know how to cook.”

The men laughed.

“Well, miss, you don’t have to worry about cooking for us.” Colton chuckled. “I’ll fix our own turkey.”

“Turkey?” Gabriella asked, concerned. “Can we buy one at the general store?”

Dirk smiled. “No, I’ll hunt one.”

“I hope you don’t expect me to—”

“We’ll talk about it later,” he cut her off.

Daxton smiled. “Miss, you don’t have to cook for us. We’ll go to the restaurant—”

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