Page 81 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“He is.” My sigh is almost embarrassing, but my aunt only smiles bigger, and I don’t remember ever feeling this light and happy over another man before.

“Knock, knock.” Gabe enters my aunt’s room with a giant houseplant and a happy face balloon. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“Not at all, Gabriel.” My aunt hugs Gabe when he leans in, and I take the plant to set it where she can see it from her bed.

“I just stopped by your place. It appears a few local cowboys have already started some renovations for you.” He peers over her head at me. “You didn’t tell me you had so many attractive friends, Riley.”

My aunt chuckles and I shake my head.

“Gabe, we aren’t talking about this right now and you don’t live here, anyway. I don’t need you breaking hearts and making my friends sad.”

He mock gasps, but I know Gabe. He’ll never commit and while he’s always up front about it, I always feel bad for the men he leaves behind.

“Are you staying in town much longer?” my aunt asks as he squeezes her hand.

“Just a few more days. Riley is all set, and I approve of Jackson, so I feel better leaving you two now that I see it’s under control.”

He winks at me, always teasing me about having to give his stamp of approval. I don’t even hate it, because his approval means the world to me.

But I don’t tell him that.

“I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere.”

He grins. “There is.” My aunt laughs as Gabe sticks out his tongue as I reach for my jacket.

“Anyway, we’ll let you get your supper in, Auntie, and I’ll be back tomorrow.” After kissing her cheek and Gabe making her laugh with bawdy cowboy jokes, I shake my head at their antics and we leave the hospital.

“Do you have to get back to the office soon? Not that I don’t appreciate you being here for me, but I feel bad. You’re probably behind at work.”

Gabe’s smile fades as he glances my way.

“No…not behind. I can work from anywhere usually. I have to appear in court next week, but most of my work I can do anywhere.”

Gabe doesn’t look at me. Instead, he peers off in the distance and if I didn’t know him as well as I do, I wouldn’t recognize his body language.

“I feel like you’re leaving a few things out.”

“Not really. It’s all unknown, so I’m not leaving anything out. But don’t worry about my work. It’s fine.”

I also know that he’ll share when he’s ready. We have enough going on with my aunt, my business, and now being involved with Jackson. If he doesn’t want to add to the pile right now, I’ll respect that.

We reach Gabe’s rental vehicle, which is a huge SUV, and I need to use the handle to pull myself up and inside.

“Are you missing theLexusyet?”

Gabe groans as he buckles in.

“You have no idea. The rental place only had trucks and SUVs. When the hell does that ever happen?”

“When you live in a country town, Gabe. It’s just how it is here.”

“I suppose if you live here, you get used to it, but I miss my luxury car.” He steers us out of the parking lot and bumps the curb with a curse. “Are you excited to see your man in action tonight?”

My belly swoops and what must be the loopiest smile ever forms on my lips. “Yeah. I can’t wait. I’m sitting with his parents, and I think his mom wants us married already.”

Gabe laughs softly. “I told you if you let go of hating what Chase represented, you’d find the prince you’ve dreamed of. You’reso happy, Rye. For the first time in…god, years, you’re truly happy. I love that for you.”

“It’s all happening so fast. Some days it feels like it’s not real.”

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