Page 42 of The Rancher's Cinderella Bride

“I’m in shock. I didn’t expect that. He sounded so happy to tell me.”

“I imagine he is because you’ve given him grief. He must have wished you well, though. I heard you thank him.”

“He did. He said, ‘Best wishes for a happy life with your cowboy,’” she said, smiling at Gabe.

“Think he heard about my proposal?”

She nodded. “Yes, he did. He has us to thank for getting him out of a loveless marriage.”

She looked at Gabe. “This lets you off the hook, too. We don’t have to announce our fake engagement now. You can have your life back, and peace and quiet.”

“Don’t be so hasty. We’re going to see your folks. What about them?”

“Right. I’ll call and tell Mom about Justin and say that was what I was going to tell her, but it isn’t necessary to drop by. Let me call them now.”

She made the call and as soon as she finished, she turned to him. “That was quick and easy, and Mom is happy for Justin, and for me since that was what I wanted. I’ll talk to my dad next time I’m home.”

Gabe took her hand in his, and he looked her deep in the eyes. “Come home with me tonight, Meg. Don’t change tonight.”

* * *

Before she could answer, Meg felt as if she’d been hit by a truck. Out of nowhere the thought entered her head. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t realized the problem right away.

“Oh, Gabe. What about your proposal in the restaurant?”

He shook his head. “Damn, that backfired, I guess. Justin’s engaged and so am I.”

“No, you’re not. I’ll just tell people we aren’t getting married. I can tell my friends that my folks were pressuring me into a marriage and you did that to get me out of being pushed into one. It’ll blow over with tomorrow’s news. And your family already knows what the situation is. Mine might hear the rumors, but I’ll tell them not to worry.”

“True enough. So that’s that, I guess.” Gabe started up the car and pulled back onto the freeway.

“I think I owe Justin one for getting me back with you for a little while. It’s been fun hanging out again, Meg.”

She was deep in thought about this being her last night with him. Gabe had come back into her life and been all the great things he had been when they were kids, plus all the wonderful things he was now.

She twisted the big dazzling ring on her finger.

She smiled at him and placed her hand on his thigh, feeling his warmth through his trousers. Once again, she was struck by what a kind man Gabe had grown up to be.

She agreed to go to his house. Gabe was right. There was no reason to change that part of their plans.

Once he closed his front door behind her, he took her into his arms to kiss her.

“I want to put on my necklace,” she told him when she stepped away.

“Sure,” he said, pausing. “Get it out and I’ll put it on you.”

She opened the box to look at the dazzling necklace again. “Gabe, this is magnificent. I’ve never had anything like it. It’s so beautiful.”

“Good. I’m glad you like it.” He picked it up and stepped behind her, scooping up her long locks to lift them out of the way. “Hold your hair up for me,” he said. He bent to fasten the clasp and the safety and then he trailed kisses on her nape.

Gasping, she closed her eyes and stood for a moment, relishing his kisses before she dropped her hair and turned, putting her arms around Gabe’s neck, standing on tiptoe and kissing him.

His strong arms banded her and held her tightly while he kissed her in return and made her heart pound. She could hardly believe this was the night she would tell him goodbye. After tonight Gabe would disappear out of her life again and she wouldn’t see him, except for possibly some social events around Dallas. The knowledge hurt and she wondered how important he had become to her. Had she fallen in love with him? She didn’t have to search deeply to know the answer was yes. And she was going to hurt badly when she told him goodbye.

Ten

Running her hands over Gabe’s body, Meg wanted to kiss every inch of him. In her heart she was certain this was goodbye. There was no reason to stay now and every time they made love it bound her more closely to him and made him more important to her.

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