Page 50 of Cowboy SEAL Christmas

But Gabe was smooth and charming as ever, shaking both her mother’s and father’s hands with one of those easygoing smiles that hid everything.Everything.

But he didn’t make eye contact with Monica herself, so she’d consider that some sign he wasn’t aseasyas he appeared.

“Nice to meet you both. Hope you’re enjoying your tour of Revival.”

“Quite a place,” Dad offered, giving Gabe a very obvious once-over.

“Gabe was a Navy SEAL,” Colin said excitedly, aiming his comment at her father.

Dad huffed a little at that.

“Got hurt and everything,” Colin said, practically jumping from foot to foot. “All these big scars on his arm and leg.Hugescars.”

Gabe’s mouth quirked. “You’re really selling it, kid.”

“Middle East?” Dad demanded.

Gabe nodded. “Afghanistan.”

Dad nodded.

Silence descended.

Monica glanced at her mother helplessly. Mom rolled her eyes and muttered, “Men.”

“I’d love to see the cows,” Mom offered brightly. “Can we do that?”

“Gabe can take you out in the bigger UTV,” Becca offered cheerfully. “You were going out there anyway, weren’t you?”

Monica almost,almostlaughed at the deer-in-headlights look on Gabe’s face before he smoothed it out.

“Sure. Yeah, just have to walk over to the barn.” He gestured in the direction of the barn.

Colin immediately scampered outside. “I’ll show you the way guys!” Then he took off for the barn, Mom and Dad walking after him arm in arm.

Gabe followed, then Monica had no choice but to walk toward the barn side by side with him.

“Didn’t know your parents were coming,” he offered conversationally.

“Why would you?” When his expression didn’t change, when nothing about him changed or reacted, she sighed. “They’re taking Colin back with them tomorrow.”

“Should be fun for him.”

“Yup.”

“And you’ll get all that alone time you’re looking so forward to.”

She wanted to scowl at him. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “I’m sure the time will just fly by. I’ve planned so many activities.” Like baking to within an inch of her life, then eating as much as she could until she felt sick.

“That’s good. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop and all that.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You sound like my father.”

“The marine,” Gabe said with an edge of scoff to his voice, reminding her what he’d once said about marines.

“I dare you to say it to his face,” she said quietly.

That rare true grin split his face. None of the blank charm meant to put her off. Just true enjoyment, and she hated herself for wishing she could see that more. Make him do it more. She wanted to be the reason and the cause, and oh, she was pathetic.

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