Page 41 of Tattered and Torn

Gabrielle’s coming with us on the ride tomorrow, but honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m trying hard to keep my distance from her, at least emotionally, and I keep failing. It’ll be a lot harder if we’re spending another day together. Of course there will be three guests with us—three socialites from L.A. I’m sure I’ll be so busy tryin’ to wrangle them that I won’t have time to think about Gabrielle.

* * *

I’m up early the next morning, just after dawn. After I fill my thermos with coffee and grab a bite to eat, I get the horses ready while Nora runs up to the restaurant to pick up five packed lunches and water bottles for our trip.

“Good morning.”

I turn to see Gabrielle standing just five feet away. She’s dressed for the occasion—blue jeans, a T-shirt, a hoodie wrapped around her waist, and boots. “What’s in your pack?” I ask. She’s got a small backpack strapped over her shoulders.

“The basics. A couple of water bottles, some protein bars, bug spray, and a small first-aid kit. And my phone, of course.”

“Your phone won’t work where we’re going.”

“Then how do we call for help if there’s an accident?”

“I have a sat phone.”

“A what?”

“A satellite phone. I can call the lodge if there’s a problem.”

She looks relieved. “Oh, good.”

Finally, I’ve got all five horses saddled and ready to go.

Gabrielle smiles when she spots Odin standing at the end of the line. “Good morning, Odin.”

Odin shakes his head and whinnies softly.

“You’ll take it easy on me, won’t you?” she asks as she makes her way down to him.

I follow her. “You aren’t nervous, are you?”

“No, of course not.” She glances at Odin. “It’s just that Odin’s at the back of the line, and you’ll be way up at the front. You won’t be beside me.”

Hearing her say those words makes my chest tighten, and for a moment I consider rearranging the order of the horses and putting Gabrielle right behind me. But no. This is the best order. Odin’s my most dependable horse. I know Gabrielle will be perfectly safe with him. “You have nothing to worry about. He’s a seasoned professional.”

Gabrielle speaks softly to Odin as she approaches his left side. When she reaches his head, she extends her hand and lets him nuzzle it. Lucky horse. After he’s sniffed her a bit, she strokes his forelock. He blows air out of his nostrils—a horse’s greeting—and leans into her touch.

I don’t blame him. If she touched me like that, I’d want to get closer, too.

Nora returns then with a backpack, which she sets on a wooden bench near the barn door. “Here you go, boss. Five lunches, plus water bottles.”

“Thanks, Nora.”

The three women scheduled for the ride today arrive at the barn.

“Good morning, Burke,” the tall blonde says with a smile.

I nod. “Ma’am. Good morning, ladies. This is Gabrielle,” I say, planning to introduce them to each other.

“Oh, we’ve met,” the blonde says coolly. “We’re practically old friends.”

I look to Gabrielle for more information.

“In the restaurant yesterday evening. At dinner.”

“I see. Okay. That’s good. You all know each other.” I check over everyone’s attire and footwear. Everything looks in order.

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