Page 43 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

Gabe nodded, considering Chase’s opinion. He had to admit that he was happiest with the old firehouse too, especially since the rent had just been reduced. It was located at the end of Main Street, far from most other businesses, except for the tire shop next door, but that might work in his favor anyway. It was always

a good business tactic to create partnerships with the places around you, especially if you wanted to pave a larger parking lot, so to speak.

As they made their way back to Chase’s Blazer, Gabe said, “Yeah, you’re right. Hey, thanks for looking at it with me.” He had been surprised that Chase had agreed to go with him.

“No problem,” Chase said, heading around to the driver’s side. “I’m actually a little jealous.”

“How’s that?” Gabe asked.

“Well, I think, considering price per square foot, you got a better deal than me.”

Gabe laughed as he climbed inside, leaning back in the seat. “Sorry about that.”

As he started the car, Chase said, “Eh, it’s okay. I get better foot traffic in the main stretch of town anyway.”

Silence stretched in the car once the radio came on, and Gabe buckled in.

“How’s Honey doing?”

Chase’s question had been a long time coming, but it still knocked the breath out of him. Gabe swallowed down the knot of guilt and unease that had gathered in his throat and said, “She’s doing good. She’s started painting again, mostly landscapes. She’s got a great view from her room.”

“That’s great.”

The tension in the car thickened. Gabe was glad that Chase had finally brought up Honey, but now it felt like they’d lost what little ground they’d managed to cover over the last few days.

Desperate to get back to that place, Gabe asked, “So what’s Katie up to?”

“Katie’s working. That’s the only thing that sucks about our schedules; she works from ten until six, and I head in to open around five in the evening and don’t get home until she’s already asleep.”

“But you guys seem happy, so it can’t be that bad,” Gabe offered, catching his friend’s sly grin.

“You know, I never pictured this as my life, living in a small town. Hell, even marriage was way off the menu. But when it’s right, you just can’t help it.”

Gabe was glad that Chase was happy, if a little whipped. Then again, had his own life gone differently, he might have gone down the same road. With his past, though, he couldn’t imagine a woman like Katie giving him a second glance.

But Katie’s blue eyes and sweet smile aren’t who you’d want anyway. You prefer dark beauties with smart-ass mouths and killer curves.

He almost snorted out loud. Caroline was definitely not a good girl. She was fire and steel and sex in a pair of painted-on jeans and—

“What the hell are you thinking so hard about?” Chase asked, breaking into Gabe’s lust-filled thoughts. Damn, what was it about her that could turn him into a daydreaming fool?

“Sorry. I was trying to picture myself in your shoes, and I just can’t.”

“You’re only thirty-four, dude,” Chase said. “You still have time.”

Gabe didn’t say anything. What was the point?

As if reading his mind, Chase said, “I used to think that I didn’t deserve Katie and almost lost her because of it. The only person who can really make you feel less-than worthy is you.”

“And where’d you pick up that bit of wisdom?” Gabe said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Not many women jump with joy when they find out I’m an ex-con who builds motorcycles for a living.”

“First of all, you build crotch rockets,” Chase said, ignoring the bird Gabe flipped him. “And second of all, you made a mistake, but you did your time. You paid for your mistake—”

“Yeah, I paid five years, while Honey continues to pay for my stupidity,” Gabe said.

Chase said nothing for a moment; then, finally, “You did something when you weren’t thinking straight. You were a hot-tempered idiot, but you’re making up for it by taking care of your sister. You fought for her and have made sure she gets the best treatment, while putting your life on hold.” Chase took a breath before adding, “At some point, you got to forgive yourself. Otherwise, you’re just going to end up bitter and alone, flogging yourself every night for the past.”

Gabe coughed, trying to cover the emotion choking him up. Chase almost sounded like he forgave him. “I don’t need to flog myself. I can find someone to do that for me.”

---