Page 29 of Claiming What Is Mine

Chapter Fifteen

Meredith

My weary eyessearch Gabe's bedroom, confused at first by the absence of Pepto-pink walls. A yawn overwhelms me as I study the landscape for hints about the man whose bed I’m occupying. I lay back on the pillow, stretching my legs and arms as far as they’ll go, thinking about our marathon sexfest. I think about the things I had never done before. About a few things I didn’t know could be done, before last night anyway. I try to trace back which MacGyver-like position caused each soreness I feel in my everywhere this morning. And I smile, thinking about how quickly I’d do it all again, if Gabe were lying next to me. Where is he anyway?

The bedroom is big, but the contrast between this space and downstairs is noticeable. This is more of what I would expect from a bachelor. The walls are white and bare. The furniture, what little there is, has a contemporary, minimalistic feel. A dresser, a bed, no headboard. The room is neat. Everything looks as if it was placed there deliberately. I pull the comforter tight to my chest as I sprawl out in the empty bed. My hand brushes a piece of paper with my name written in block letters on the pillow beside me.

Mer,

I hope you slept well.

I had some morning chores to tend to before you woke, so we can have the rest of the morning together.

There’s coffee in the carafe on the counter, and scrambled eggs in the covered pan on the stove.

Help yourself to anything in the closet, if you like. (But if you’re looking for my input, I suggest you turn the thermostat up and stay naked.)

-G

I feel compelled to take Gabe up on his offer, so I slide out of bed to rummage through his closet. I settle on a pair of much-too-big-for-me-sweatpants—their drawstring and bunched ankles will help them fit…ish—and a white t-shirt, like the one held hostage in my room at home. I’m sure I look like a ten-year-old wearing her daddy’s clothes, but hey, they’re comfortable and I like the thought of something of his on my skin. Another yawn reminds me of my need to caffeinate, prompting me to make my way downstairs for coffee.

A loose strand of hair dangles in my face and I loop it behind my ear as I pour myself a cup and recall the pie I never tasted last night.

I look to the refrigerator, deliberating whether or not I should indulge in the sweet temptation.

Gabe’s not here to see me make a pig of myself, and I do love pie.

After our workout, pie for breakfast isn’t a bad thing, right? Heck, my body probably needs the calories.

Satiated from the decadent treat, I top off my coffee and move to the porch to enjoy the morning while I wait for Gabe.

I lean back in an Adirondack chair, my feet dangling several inches from the ground. I am prepared to lose myself once again to my thoughts when I notice a cowboy hat tipped in my direction.

“Chet?”

“Morning. Been a long time,” a voice replies from somewhere under the brim of the Stetson.

I stand and walk to the guardrail of the porch. “I didn’t know you were back from your honeymoon.”

“Yep. We’ve been back a little while now. Two weeks away was nice, but I couldn’t leave Gabe alone any longer than that,” he says as he strides towards me.

I laugh. “Worried he’d burn the place to the ground?”

Chet leans against the railing of the steps and stares up at me with a serious look. “That’s what I’d tell him, but between you and me, I don’t worry about the ranch with him around. Didn’t feel right leaving him alone any longer. Plus, Christy’s far enough on in her pregnancy I sleep better knowing her doctor is nearby.”

“There you are. I wondered where you went,” a soft voice calls from the far side of the house. A moment later, Chet’s wife comes around the corner and waddles over to her husband’s side.

“Doc, this here is Meredith Still—she’s an old friend of the family. Meredith, this is my wife, Christy.” Chet’s introduction is succinct, as is his way.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Christy. And, congratulations to you both.” I lean down, extending my hand over the railing to shake hers. “If you don’t mind my asking, when are you due?”

Christy wraps her arms around her belly and smiles. “The doctor says I have five weeks left, but this little rascal hasn’t been still for more than an hour in I don’t know how long. So, I’m not convinced he’s gonna make it to term.”

“Shit,” Gabe says to Chet as he appears out of nowhere and climbs the porch. “I’ve been trying my damnedest to avoid you all morning.”

Chet clears his throat. “I’ve been looking for you. I tried to reach you on the radio, but you never responded.”

Gabe stands behind me and pulls me into him, resting his chin on my head. “Morning, beautiful. I hope you slept well. Did you eat?”

---