Page 19 of Frostbite & Mistletoe
Her bitter words transported Gabriel instantly back to Granite Gap, and another business owner who’d pleaded with him about unbearable financial pressures.
“And Tyler called me about an hour ago and told me there was going to be a two-week shipping delay for the replacement sprinkler system,” she finished.“So, yeah. Things really suck right now.”
Do something, his sabertooth instincts growled within him.
Emotions stirred that he’d never felt before.
Gabriel had built his life on a foundation of strict adherence to the rules. Breaking them for Kymberlie Tringstad would be professional suicide. And yet…
“There might be a way to get those parts before Monday,” he said, the words escaping before he could reconsider.
“Oh?” Kymberlie’s voice brightened with hope.
Gabriel shifted uncomfortably.“A member of the Cougar Lake Pride runs a wholesale construction supply business up in Missoula. He might have the parts we need.”
“We?” Kymberlie’s tone sounded dry.
Gabriel cleared his throat.“I mean, you should bring someone who knows exactly what to get. Specifications matter with fire suppression systems.”
Itsoundedlike a reasonable explanation, didn’t it?
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Kymberlie said, but the relief in her voice betrayed her.
“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” Gabriel checked his watch.“I’ll call Panthera Building Supply right now. It’s a three-hour drive each way. If Allan has what we need, and we leave first thing in the morning, we can make it there and back before it gets dark.”
Another long silence. He could practically hear Kymberlie looking for a catch.“Why are you helping me?”
Because I know what it’s like to lose everything you’ve worked for. Because something about you makes my sabertooth want to protect you.
“Because it’s my job to keep people safe,” he said instead.“And that includes business owners. If we can get this resolved quickly, it’ll be better for everyone.” He paused.“So, can I pick you up around seven a.m. tomorrow?”
Another long silence.
“Okay,” Kymberlie said finally.“Meet me at Cinnamon + Sugar. Coffee and pastries are on me.”
∞∞∞
The next morning, Gabriel woke up to a break in the snow. He showered and shaved, pulled on a BPRFD sweatshirt and jeans, and headed into town.
Kymberlie was waiting for him inside Cinnamon + Sugar. They placed their order for coffees and the bakery’s famous cinnamon rolls.
Gabriel didn’t miss the blue-haired barista’s reaction to seeing him and Kymberlie together, or the young woman’s whispered question:“So, sis, is there something you want to tell me?”
Kymberlie’s cheeks flushed. She shook her head.“Gabriel’s just helping me buy the right parts for the club’s new fire sprinklers.”
She turned to Gabriel with a wry expression.“Gabriel, this is my kid sister, Violet.”
When he looked more closely, he noticed the family resemblance, mostly around the nose and cheeks. And Violet’s mischievous grin mirrored her older sister’s.“Pleased to meet you.”
Gabe made a mental note of the family members he’d met so far: older sister Annika, the police officer; brother Gage, a game warden; and now, Violet the barista.
He smiled at Violet.“Pleasure’s all mine. We’re doing our best to get your sister’s business reopened before Christmas.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Violet said fervently. Her gaze slid back to Kymberlie.“Mom and Dad are really worried about you. Dad thinks you should just sell the place and start again with a newer building.”
Kymberlie’s expression froze.“That sounds like Dad all right,” she said bitterly.“You can tell him I’m not ready to give up.”
∞∞∞
