Page 42 of A Whiskey River Princess

Gabriella glanced over at Dirk and her eyes twinkled.

“No,” Dirk mouthed, knowing full well what she was about to do.

“Go ahead and add the rest of our purchases to the bill, too.” Gabriella dug into her reticule again, but Dirk quickly placed his hand over hers, stopping her.

“No, my dear.” A surge of electricity rushed through him from where he touched her. “I couldn’t let you do that.”

Gabriella must have felt it, too, for she froze as their eyes met and held, and then she pulled away.

Dirk wasn’t surprised at his own body’s reaction to her, but he was very surprised at hers. “Put it all on my bill—”

“No, I couldn’t let you do that.” Gabriella looked up at Mrs. Carson expectantly.

Mrs. Carson looked between the two of them, but quickly recovered herself. “Why don’t we keep the purchases separate?”

“Yes, please,” Gabriella chimed in before he could object.

Something inside of him—chivalry, maybe—wanted to pay for everything, but he knew Gabriella would never agree. So, he nodded.

Within minutes, they walked out into the snow with their purchases, headed toward the hotel, when Dirk stopped her.“Gabriella, let’s go back to my cabin.” He let out a deep breath, hating himself for what he was about to say. “The snow’s not falling as heavily now, and we can be home soon.”

Gabriella’s smile faded as she gazed into his eyes, searching for something, and then nodded. “Dirk, I’m sorry you had to hear that I was kidnapped from Colton and the sheriff and not from me.”

Dirk wheeled on her. “Then, why didn’t you tell me? I would have protected you—”

“Would have?” Gabriella narrowed her eyes. “Dirk, I wanted to tell you—”

“Then why didn’t you?” Dirk looked around and a few people passing by on the walkway across the street were looking at them. Dirk nodded at them. The couple smiled nervously and hurried on. “Gabriella,” Dirk lowered his voice. “You can trust me.”

“Dirk, please understand.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “After what I’d been through, I didn’t know who I could trust. Who was to say that someone else wouldn’t hold me for ransom, too?”

“I wouldn’t do that—”

“I didn’t know that at the time.” Gabriella looked away and then back again. “I didn’t know who I could trust.”

“And do you now?” His tone sounded much harsher than he had intended… even to his own ears.

“I’m beginning to see.”

Dirk nodded. “Very well, then. I’ll hitch up Angel.”

Dirk was about to tell her to wait for him at the hotel where it was warm and that he would be there to collect her soon, but he didn’t dare. If he let her out of his sight and something happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

They walked in silence to the livery stable and hurried to harness Angel to the sleigh. When he was finished, he helped Gabriella into the sleigh and slid in beside her.

They said nothing to each other as he guided Angel through the snow, falling in white puffs from the darkening sky. Soon, the snow fell harder, almost blinding.

Gabriella silently slid the quilt over Dirk’s lap, but carefully kept her distance.

“We’ll be home soon.”

She nodded as she pulled the quilt up to her chin.

A few moments later, his cabin came into view. He pulled Angel to a stop by the front porch. “Go on inside and get warm. I’ll take care of Angel and will be in presently.”

“Do you need my help?” She looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes.

He smiled, shaking his head. “No, go in and get warm.”

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