Page 34 of Claiming What Is Mine

Chapter Seventeen

Gabe

She needs to talk?What the hell does that mean? She didn’t say we need to talk, so it’s not the talk. Or, is it? I close the front door behind me on my way into the house. Things are great with us. It doesn’t make sense. Did she deliberately word it like that to throw me off?Is she having second thoughts about us? About me?

Wait. This is Meredith. Calm down.

I sit at the counter, pinching the bridge of my nose hoping it might slow the migraine that’s started. Don’t freak out, man. Keep it together.

I dropped what I was working on and came home when I received her reply—in case this conversation needed some privacy. I stare at the words for several minutes before responding.

Me: Sure thing. I can make dinner again.

Damnit, why on Earth would I offer to make dinner again? The last time I needed two full days to figure out a meal and get everything together. Shit. if you say yes, Doll, I hope you’re in the mood for steak or chili.

My phone buzzes.

Doll: Thanks, but I don’t have much of an appetite. Alright if I come by around six?

Me: Sounds good. See you then.

Phew. Dodged a bullet there.

I reach for the radio on my belt. “Chet. You out there?”

The radio squawks back. “Yeah. What’s up?”

“You probably aren’t going to like this, but—then again, you don’t like anything.”

“What is it, Gabe?” Chet’s words are broken by static from the tinny speaker.

“I’ve got to bail early today. Sorry, I know we were going to work on vaccinating, but something came up with Meredith.”

“Alright.”

Alright? That’s it? I say something has to do with Meredith and I get a pass with no grief? I’ll have to remember that.

* * *

The sightof Meredith’s Honda kicking up dust as she rolls down the drive launches my nerves into high gear. I take a pull from my beer. Storm clouds roll in the distance as I stand. Steady as she goes. You’re an adult. Whatever she has to say, everything will be fine. I step off the porch onto the gravel as I stroll over to greet Meredith as her car comes to a stop in front of my place.

I pull open the driver’s door with one hand while I lift the brim of my ball cap with the other. “Evening, beautiful.” I expect to feel better the moment I see her, I always do. But today, I can’t get a read. Her face is a mixture of discomfort and nervousness and she’s not doing a good job of hiding it. “What’s the matter? Not feeling well?”

Meredith eases out of her seat. “No, but I’ll be making a doctor’s appointment soon.”

“Good.” I help her out of the car and pull her into my arms. “Oh, it’s good to see you.” I pause, hesitant to continue. “So, what did you need to talk about?”

She looks at me anxiously. “Is there somewhere we can go?”

“Uh, sure. Looks like it might rain, you want to go inside? Or—we can sit on the porch—maybe catch a summer thunderstorm?”

Meredith wraps her arms around her stomach. “Okay.”

“Okay? How about I follow you?” Meredith leads us to the Adirondack chairs on my porch and I continue on towards the door, intending to get her something to drink. “What’s your pleasure?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” She looks at me with tear-filled eyes. “Gabe?”

The need in her voice stops me in my place. “What is it, Doll?” The doubt behind her words is foreign and has the hair on my neck standing straight. I cross the porch to comfort her and she takes my hand as tears stream down her face.

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