Page 40 of Tattered and Torn

“How’s Claire?” Maggie asks as she rises from her chair.

“She was sound asleep when I left her with the boys.”

“My sons, Ryan and Brendan,” Maggie explains. “You met Ryan the other day at my store. Brendan is sixteen. They’re both wonderful big brothers to their baby sister.”

Owen takes Maggie’s hand. “Come on, Jennie,” he says. “We’ll give you a ride home.”

As Owen walks Maggie and Jennie out the back door, Hannah, Maya, and I thank Ruth for her generous hospitality. We leave by the front door, where Hannah is parked.

“Where does Ruth live?” I ask.

“She has a cabin a little ways out of town,” Hannah says, “but she also keeps an apartment over the tavern. She often crashes up there.”

It’s a short drive back to the lodge. When Hannah parks in her reserved spot near the front entrance, we climb out and head toward the double set of glass doors.

Killian comes out to greet us. “Have a good time?” he asks Hannah as he pulls her into his arms. He gives her a tight squeeze and kisses her forehead.

“We had a great time,” she says. “Ruth plied us with food and alcohol.”

For a split second, I experience a pang of envy. Clearly, Killian dotes on Hannah. Just as Owen seems to dote on his wife. I’ve never had a relationship like that. Honestly, I was always too busy working at Renaldo’s to date much. My job—my career—always came first. But this time around, I’m hoping to find a healthier balance in my life.

The doors open and out walks John. His limp is a bit more pronounced than usual—he must be tired. “’Night, ladies,” he says, tipping the brim of his hat.

“Goodnight, ya’ll,” Maya says as she trudges inside the building. “I’m hitting the hay. Got an early morning group to take out.”

Hannah and Killian climb into the Jeep and drive around the building to the lane that leads to their log cabin up the way.

“Did you have a good time?” John asks me.

We’re the only two left.

“I did. Hannah’s friends are nice, very welcoming.”

He nods. “Glad to hear it.” He motions in the direction of his cabin. “It’s late.”

I nod. “Yeah, me too. I’m so tired I’ll probably be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.”

John lingers a moment, then he nods toward the doors. “I’ll wait until you’re inside.”

The lodge doors are only twenty feet away from where we’re standing. The lobby is fully lit, and I can see two staff members working behind the counter, and a third person vacuuming the entryway. There is absolutely zero risk to me as I make my way inside the building.

“Thanks, John,” I say. I can feel my lips curving up of their own volition. John’s the kind of man who would dote on his partner. He’d make sure she got home safely. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He nods. “Goodnight, Gabrielle.”

I’m grinning ear to ear all the way to my apartment. I let myself in, grab a bottle of water, and get ready for bed.

As I’m lying in my comfy bed, feeling sleep fast approaching, I wonder if a cowboy like John Burke could ever be interested in a city girl.

Chapter 13 – John

After taking a hot shower and swallowing some more over-the-counter pain pills, I climb into bed and stare at the ceiling. I can’t sleep, and it’s not because my leg is still throbbing like a bitch. I tried not to let Gabrielle see me limping today—both in Denver and here at the lodge this evening—but I’m sure she did. There’s no way in hell she could have missed that.

I hate to show any kind of weakness in front of anyone, but especially in front of Gabrielle. I wish she could see me as I was before the explosion that ruined my military career and nearly destroyed me. I wish I was still the man I used to be.

After lying here for an hour, I get up, put my clothes back on, and my boots, and head to the barn. It’s dark and cool inside the barn at night. It’s my own private sanctuary. I walk down the corridor between the stalls and check each of the horses. They’re all sleeping comfortably. I end up in the tack room, where I put away some of the equipment that Nora cleaned right before she left for the day.

Finally, my body is dragging from physical exhaustion, so I lie down on the old leather sofa and close my eyes.

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