Page 51 of A Whiskey River Princess

He smiled. “As I said, I’m from New York. I have a degree from the University of the City of New York.”

Gabriella’s mouth flew open, and her eyes bulged so wide that it was almost an insult. “You’re joking.”

Dirk smiled, pretending that he hadn’t been insulted. “No, I’m not. It’s on Washington Square East. My father was a prominent lawyer in New York and he had hoped that I would follow in his footsteps. Needless to say, I didn’t.” He thought for a moment, and then asked, “Did you go to college? I mean, where did you learn English? You’re so fluent.”

She rinsed the bowl she was holding and handed it to Dirk. “I was educated at home. I had the best education, of course, but I never actually went to school. The teachers came to me.”

He nodded, understanding, knowing that she had to have had a good education because her English was perfect. “How many languages do you speak?”

She bit her lower lip. “Latin and Greek, English, French, German, and Italian.”

“Six languages?” he asked, amazed, wondering who she really was.

“Yes,” she replied, and then quickly added, “but I’m the most fluent in English and French, of course.”

Dirk smiled. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” she asked, surprised.

“Apologize for your education and your background.”

Gabriella sighed as a smile lit her lips. “In my country, women aren’t educated like they are here. But my uncle insisted that everyone in his household have a good education.” She turned away.

Dirk took a cup gently from her, forcing her to look at him. “Then your uncle is a wise man.”

“Yes, he is,” she replied, as a faraway look came into her eyes.

“Well….” He dried and polished the last cup and put it away in the cupboard. “For where we’re going, you’ll need to change your clothes.”

“Oh no!” She wrung out the dishrag and laid it on the edge of the sink to dry. “I’m sure you can get a wonderful tree without my help.”

“Oh no, you don’t!” He scooped her up, and threw her easily over his broad, muscular shoulder.

“Put me down!” She giggled.

He carried her into the spare bedroom and plopped her on the bed. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Something stirred in his heart when he saw her on the bed, shrieking with laughter, and he had to force himself to walk out.

Buster greeted him in the doorway, wagging his tail, as if wondering what had happened.

Dirk bent down and patted his head. “She’s okay, Buster. We were just playing.”

At that, he gave Dirk’s hand a gentle lick. It amazed him that even Buster was looking out for her.

“Are you getting ready?” he asked her from the living room.

“I’m debating.”

“Do I have to come back in there?”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Or would I?”

“All right,” she snickered, the bed creaking as she must have climbed off the bed.

Dirk put on his coat as Buster waited at his feet. “You want to go for a walk?”

Buster got up and walked to the door, wagging his tail vigorously, and then turned back as if to ask if he was coming.

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