Page 66 of Tattered and Torn

“Day-ting.” I draw out the syllables. Shit. Do I have to draw him a picture?

Chris narrows his eyes on me. “When I asked you before if you guys were dating, you said no.”

“It was true at the time,” I say. “But now it’s not.”

“Huh.” Chris looks back to Gabrielle, again for confirmation. I think he’s havin’ trouble wrapping his mind around this. Or maybe he’s hoping she’ll flat out contradict me—that it’s all a big joke.

“That’s right,” she says, smiling apologetically at Chris.

Now I wish I hadn’t told her he’s sweet on her. She’s going to feel bad for him.

Chris nods vigorously. “That’s great. Really great. I mean it. I’m happy for you guys.” Then he steps aside to grab a plate and get in line.

Gabrielle and I carry our plates over to Hannah and Killian’s table and sit.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m stealing Gabrielle away for a couple of days,” I tell Hannah. “We’re going camping up at Pine Lake for one night. I’ll have her back tomorrow by supper.”

“If that’s okay with you guys,” Gabrielle adds, smiling hopefully at Hannah and Killian. I’m guessing she hasn’t had a chance to talk to Hannah about it. I figure it won’t be a big deal as Betty and Nelle have been managing fine on their own for months now. I think they can live without Gabrielle for a couple days.

“Of course, it’s okay,” Hannah says, practically giddy with excitement. She takes a bite of her food, nods as she chews, and swallows. “You guys have fun.”

After we finish eating, I lay my arm across the back of Gabrielle’s chair. I’d do more, but we have a rapt audience. “I’ll go saddle the horses, honey. Come to the barn when you’re ready to leave.”

“I will,” she says.

Then I lean over to kiss her cheek, audience be damned. When I pull back, the smile on her face tells me all I need to know.

* * *

When I reach the barn, I find Zeus already saddled and ready to go. Nora’s currently saddling Odin. Sal, our resident pack mule, is also ready to roll. All of the supplies I packed earlier this morning are strapped in saddlebags placed on Sal. I packed light because we’ll only be up there one night.

“Have fun,” Nora says as she cinches Odin’s saddle.

“Thanks. You’ll take care of things here while I’m gone?”

She nods. “Will do, boss. Don’t give it another thought. Just go, relax, and have fun. You’re long overdue.”

Once Nora is done saddling the horses, I check all the fittings and gear to make sure everything’s secure.

Not long after, Gabrielle arrives carrying her overnight bag, a bag of nonperishable food, and a small soft-sided cooler. She holds up the bag. “Lunch and dinner for today, and breakfast and lunch for tomorrow. I brought as little as possible. Water bottles in the cooler.”

“Here, let me take those,” I say. I add her packs to Sal’s panniers and test the balance of the weight. “Really to go?” I ask.

Gabrielle nods. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She glances at Zeus and notices the rifle I have packed in a scabbard. Then she notices the handgun holster around my waist. “Guns?”

“They’re just a precaution. This is the wilderness, honey. We may not be the only ones up on that mountain.”

Her eyes widen, and I swear her face pales. “Are you referring to other human or non-human company?”

“Could be either. Don’t worry; we’ll be fine. But it pays to be prepared, just in case we run into a hungry bear or a mountain lion.”

“There are bears up there? And mountain lions?”

“Could be,” I say. I walk over to her and cup her face so I can gaze down into those gorgeous pools of green. Damn. I could stare into these eyes forever. “I would never let anything happen to you. And I wouldn’t take you up there if I didn’t think it was safe. But I’d be a fool not to be prepared.”

She nods and swallows hard. “I know.”

“Here let me help you mount.” I walk her over to Odin, cup my hands to give her a leg up, and help her onto the saddle.

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