Page 37 of Tattered and Torn

“What time do you leave?” I ask.

“We’re supposed to meet at the barn at eight o’clock,” Brittany says.

At the end of the dinner period, I run outside and across the parking lot to the big red barn across the way. Sure enough, John is there, standing at the pasture fence, watching the horses nibbling on grass.

“I’ve decided to take you up on the offer to tag along on tomorrow’s trail ride.”

He nods. “Great. Meet here at eight, dressed for riding.”

“Okay. I’ll be here.”

As I walk back to the lodge, to help with the kitchen clean-up, I’m wondering if I’ve lost my mind. I’ve only had the one riding lesson, and now I’m going to spend hours on a horse riding up into the mountains. I don’t know what possessed me to do such a reckless thing. I guess it was because I was pissed off after hearing those women talk about John like he’s a sex object or criticizing his scars. I thought he should have a friend on the ride. And I do, at least, consider myself his friend.

This afternoon, he made it clear we weren’t on a date, but he never said we couldn’t be friends.

Chapter 12 – Gabrielle

I send Nelle and Betty home after a long shift and finish the kitchen clean-up myself. After a long, and at times frustrating, day I should be exhausted, but I’m not. I’ve gotten my second wind, and I’m excited about going out with Hannah tonight. I’m all for a girls’ night out.

After finishing up in the restaurant, I head up to my apartment to freshen up and change.

Hannah texts me, telling me to meet her out front. She’s parked in her reserved spot near the lodge entrance. I run out and climb into the front passenger seat of her Jeep.

“We’re just waiting on Maya,” she says.

Killian is standing at her open driver’s door window, his hands casually gripping her car door. “How long do you think you’ll be?” he asks Hannah as he flexes his fingers.

“I’m not sure,” she says. “We’ll have to play it by ear. I guess it depends on the others.”

“You won’ be out past midnight, will ya?” he asks.

“I doubt it,” she says.

I swear, Killian looks like he’s pouting. I’m trying to keep a straight face, but it’s hard.

“Why don’t you invite some of the guys to the lodge to play poker tonight?” she suggests. “I’m sure you could get Owen and Burke to play. Probably Travis and Micah, too.”

Maya comes through the lodge doors and heads straight for the Jeep. She opens the rear door on the driver’s side and climbs in behind Hannah’s seat. “Sorry about that. I got waylaid in the lobby by a guest asking questions about tomorrow’s climb.”

I turn in my seat to face Maya. “So, you’re a rock climber? I’d love to hear more about it.”

“Have you climbed before?” she asks.

I laugh. “I don’t think the kiddie rock wall at my rec center back home counts as rock climbing.”

“It’s a start. You should join us one day. Travis and I teach climbing. We’d love to have you.” Maya glances at Killian, who’s still talking to Hannah. She leans forward and pries Killian’s hand off the door frame. “We gotta go, pal. Don’t worry, you’ll see her again.”

Killian takes a step back and lets his hands fall to his sides. He nods to Hannah. “Have fun. Call me if you need anything.”

Hannah waves to him. “You have fun, too.” Then she starts the engine and backs out of the parking spot, turns, and heads down the lane toward the main road.

Maya leans back in her seat and sighs dramatically. “My God, he is such a baby.”

I notice Hannah is smiling.

“I think it’s sweet,” I say. “Obviously, he’s going to miss her.”

“Those two are attached at the hip,” Maya says, rolling her eyes. She pats Hannah’s shoulder. “It’s good for you to have some away time from the Cajun. It’s good for him, too.” Maya redirects her attention to me. “So, Gabrielle. What’s your relationship status?”

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