Page 52 of Claiming What Is Mine

Chapter Twenty-Three

Meredith

The setting sunglows bright and warm through the windshield. Gabe turns up the radio then places his hand on my thigh, running his thumb across my knee as he loudly sings along to “Free Bird” over the noise from the open windows.

“Now I see why you didn’t pursue a career as a musician,” I joke.

Gabe stops singing and cocks his head in my direction. “Oh sweetheart, don’t do that. Jealousy doesn’t suit you.” He wags his finger and resumes singing along, half a step behind the radio.

He sounds happy. He is happy. As I sway to the melody, I realize I am too. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I wake up thankful for the day ahead. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing life as an obstacle course. A thing that I have to keep my head down and trudge through. When the next song comes on the radio, I sing along too, as my hand dips and rises through the air rushing past the truck.

It’s not long before the wide-open space of rural Logan county gives way to the huddle of buildings that count as town. We pass Belle’s and I catch a glimpse of a waitress bustling between tables. I don’t recognize her, and I wonder where Mollie is today. We twist through the narrow streets and end up parked in front of The Lazy Saddle.

Gabe shakes his head as he kills the engine. “I still can’t believe I’m bringing my pregnant fiancée to a bar on a Friday night.”

“I can.”

“Yeah?” Gabe pauses. “Because this seems like an ordinary thing couples do?”

“No. Not that, silly. Because you’re the kind of man who would do anything for the woman he loves. I only had to mention there was a cover band playing tonight and boom. You knew I’d want to be here.”

“Either way, let’s not mention it to Jim, okay? Call me crazy, but I don’t see this helping me stay on his good side.” Gabe unbuckles his seatbelt. “How long do you think I’ll be on probation with him, anyway?”

I unbuckle my seatbelt and swing open the truck door. “If I had to guess, probably ten years. As long as you don’t do anything he doesn’t like between now and then.” I wink. “Now let’s get inside before they start playing.”

Gabe meets me in front of the truck and leads me to the rough wood doors with the horn-shaped handles. He pulls the door open and stands back as I enter the dusky room, filled with the hustle and bustle of waitresses and customers. A little tingle of excitement runs through me as the door swings shut behind us, devouring the slice of sunlight on the floor.

“Welcome to The Saddle, you all sit wherever you like.” A tall woman with a wide smile waves a hand towards the tables clustered around the stage. “I’ll be ‘round to check on ya in a sec,” she says on her way to the bar.

I turn to Gabe. “Can we sit up front, next to the dance floor? Please? Pretty please, with sugar on top?”

“Your wish is my desire.” Gabe puts his hand on the small of my back, his fingers splayed wide, the firm contact a clear reminder of his presence behind me. As we sit, the band takes the stage and I actually bounce up and down in my seat with excitement.

“So, what did you say they cover again?” Gabe asks.

“A little of everybody, I think. I really hope they play ‘Benny and the Jets’ at some point though.”

Our waitress arrives as Gabe begins to speak, cutting him off. “What can I get you two?” she asks with a flip of her blonde hair.

“Just a Coke for me.” I place my hand flat against my belly, as if doing so will shield our little nugget from the dangers of the big bad world.

Gabe notices and smiles. “Same.”

With a curt nod, the waitress disappears in a puff of perfume. I lean in to be heard over the opening strains of “Tainted Love.” “You can drink, you know. Just because I can’t, doesn’t mean you have to ruin your night.”

Gabe grazes his thumb across my cheek, then tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “If I’m with you, Doll, the evening is far from ruined.”

“Well, as you know, flattery will get you everywhere with me. So please feel free to elaborate.”

The explosion of the chorus swallows Gabe’s laughter, and I tap my foot to the beat. As the evening progresses, couples find their way to the dance floor. I watch them, chewing on the tip of my straw, smiling despite myself.

Gabe leans in. “Dance with me.”

“Who? Me?”

“No. The woman sitting behind you.” Gabe scoots his chair back. “Yes you, silly.” He stands, offering me his hand.

“It’s about time you asked.” I take a final sip of my Coke and place my hand in his. He leads me to the dance floor just in time for one song to end and a slow song to start. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close, humming along to “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” I nuzzle into his chest and sigh as we sway in time to the music. He rubs the small of my back, his fingers grazing the top of my ass. I sigh, my body turning molten as my heart soars with joy. After all I’ve been through, it’s almost too good to be true, to be here, Gabe’s ring on my finger, our baby growing inside me.

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