Page 108 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

“But we’ve got a long drive home, baby girl,” Gabe said patiently.

“You can stay here,” Honey said, her voice muffled.

Caroline held up her hand, and Gabe closed his mouth.

“Hey, Honey, did Gabe tell you about our kittens?”

Honey sat up quickly and shook her head. “You have kittens?”

“Two of them. Your brother saved them. He did this thing with his hands—”

“Like the puppy!” Honey cried, clapping her hands.

Caroline looked up at Gabe questioningly.

“I tried it on a stillborn puppy our dog had,” he said modestly.

“He learned it from 101 Dalmatians,” Honey said.

“I see,” Caroline said, pulling out her cell phone. “Here are some pictures of Googlie and Possum when they’re eating.” She swiped her finger across the screen. “And this is when they really started moving around.”

Honey reached out and started swiping her finger over the screen, searching through the pictures, and Caroline said, “How about the next time we come to visit, I bring a bunch of pictures, just for you?”

Honey nodded vigorously, still staring hard at the images. “I love animals.”

Caroline stood up, and Sharla stepped forward. “Honey, it’s time for you to see Dr. Hamilton.”

Sharla touched Honey’s shoulder, and she finally acknowledged her. Caroline waited and watched as Honey stopped to give Gabe a hard bear hug. Gabe kissed the side of her head and said, “You take care now, baby girl.”

“You too, Gabey,” Honey said, moving on to Caroline. When she hugged her, Honey whispered in her ear, “Take care of him.” When she pulled away, Honey was smiling at her, sweetly. “Bye.”

Caroline let Gabe take her hand and lead her out of the room. Gabe was walking so fast, she could hardly keep up.

“Gabe, slow down. Did I do something wrong?” she asked as they passed through the main reception area.

“No,” Gabe said as he dragged her around the side of the building and pressed her back against the wall.

“What—”

Gabe’s mouth slammed down on hers, his hands all over her as he kissed her. She turned to mush as his passion washed over her, pressing her into the building as he made love to her mouth. It was different from every other kiss they’d ever had, almost desperate.

When he pulled away, his hand was tangled in her hair, and neither of them could catch their breath.

Her breathing finally started to slow, and she laughed huskily. “Well, that was definitely new.”

His shoulders heaved under her hands, and she realized Gabe wasn’t just trying to catch his breath.

He was crying.

“Hey, Gabe,” she said, ducking her head to look at his face. He pulled away and wiped at his eyes with his T-shirt.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

Caroline stood there, unsure of what she was supposed to do, but finally reached out for him. Pulling him back into her arms, she stroked her hands over his back and kissed his chest. She didn’t say anything as she held him, waiting for him to collect himself.

After a minute, he lifted his head and cupped her face. “You are amazing.”

Caroline’s own eyes stung as she covered his hands with hers. “I didn’t do anything.”

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