Page 33 of Tattered and Torn

Our server stops by to hand me the check. “I’ll take that whenever you’re ready,” he says. “No rush.”

Gabrielle leans forward and holds out her hand after our server walks away. “I’ll buy lunch. It’s my way of saying thank you for driving me all the way out here.”

I reach into my back pocket for my wallet. “Thanks, but I’ve got it.”

She sits back in her chair and frowns. “I really wish you’d let me pay.”

I meet her very determined gaze. “The man should pay.”

“This isn’t a date,” she says.

“No, it’s not. But still—”

“You’re not being sexist, are you?” She sounds serious, but I see amusement in her eyes.

“No, it’s just—the man pays. That’s all.”

“Fine,” she says. She finishes her soft drink. “The next one’s on me.”

The next what? I wonder. The next meal? “This isn’t a date, Gabrielle.”

Her smile falters. “I didn’t mean to imply it was.”

After I pay, we head out to the truck. She’s unusually quiet on the drive back.

When we arrive, I pull up to the front doors of the lodge. She reaches for her door handle.

I reach out in her direction, stopping short of touching her. “Gabrielle, wait.”

She pauses. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry if I was an ass earlier. I spend most of my time with horses or the guys. I’m not used to being around women. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

She stares at me for a moment, as if considering my words. As if she’s weighing my apology. I think she finds it lacking.

“Thanks for driving me to Denver.” Her voice is coolly neutral. “I appreciate it.”

I withdraw my hand as she steps down from the truck, closes her door, and walks away. “It was my pleasure, sweetheart,” I murmur, but she’s well out of hearing range.

She’s been here only a few days, and already my life is more complicated. And I can’t even pinpoint why. It’s not like I have a snowball’s chance in hell with her. My mind knows that. But for some reason, my heart hasn’t caught up. The voice-over in my head won’t shut up. Forget it, Burke. This isn’t a Disney movie, where the beauty falls for the beast.

Just as I’m about to pull away, the sheriff’s car pulls up beside me.

Chris gets out of his cruiser. “Hey, Burke.”

When he steps up to my door, I lower the window. “Chris. How’s it going?”

“Fine,” he says.

He’s in uniform. “Is there a problem?”

“Nah. I just thought I’d stop in for a quick bite to eat before I have to get back to work.” He glances toward the big doors. “Was that Gabrielle I just saw gettin’ out of your truck?”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Nothing. I just wondered—” He cuts himself off.

“I drove her to Denver on a supply run. That’s all.”

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