Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
G enevieve tossed and turned in the big guest bed. The wind howled outside. The small night light glowed in the dark, reassuring her that the power was still on. She wasn’t scared of Gabe or being stranded with him for a few days. Well, at least not scared of him being a dangerous psycho killer or something. It scared her that he was attractive and fun. She’d sworn no men for a long time after Tim. She couldn’t risk her heart like that again. Her mind flashed back to the day she’d gotten The Call. She shuddered. Enough .
She threw back the covers and looked out the window. She could hardly see anything; everything was white. Standing there, she whispered a prayer of thanks that she wasn’t stranded out there and hoped no one else was. She softly padded her way to the kitchen and fixed herself a cup of hot tea. Sinking down into one of the oversized chairs, she watched the snow outside. She turned when she heard Gabe’s door creak open.
He looks so good, all sleepy and tired. His dark hair was ruffled up, and he stumbled sleepily to the kitchen. He doesn’t realize I’m here . She cleared her throat.
Gabe turned. She smiled, holding up her hand. “It’s just me. Sorry, I couldn’t sleep.”
He smiled. “Me either.” He rubbed his face. “Man, it’s coming down out there. I can’t believe the power is still on.”
She gestured to the kettle on the stove. “Fix some tea. I don’t think the power will last much longer.” She grabbed a throw blanket from the couch to wrap around her. “I’m just so thankful I found your house and wasn’t stranded out there.”
He grinned. “Me too. Plus, I don’t know if I’d be nearly as prepared without you here.” He stirred milk into his cup of tea, then sat down on the couch across from her. “So, why couldn’t you sleep? Just the weather?”
I wish. She sighed. “I think a combination of the storm, being in a new place, and just thinking about all kind of things. My mind has a way of running away at night.”
He nodded. “I have the same problem. It always seems my mind decides it needs to work out all of life’s problems late at night.”
She looked at his handsome face, then looked around at the beautiful home he had. “What kind of problems?” I can’t imagine he would have any problems.
He shrugged. “Well, you know how I told you I work in my family business?” She nodded. “My father told me recently he is ready to retire. Wants me to take over the entire business.” He looked so miserable at the idea that she couldn’t stop herself from reaching over and touching his arm.
“Would that be so bad? I mean, don’t you have plenty of experience working with the company?”
Gabe sighed. “Yes. Well, no. Well... yes, I guess I do, but I’m just not my father. He’s done this for so long and knows all the ins and outs of... ummm... the business. I just worry I won’t do him justice.”
She smiled. “Well, I don’t think you have to worry about that. If your father is the sharp businessman that you make him out to be, then I’m sure he’s very confident in you if he’s stepping down and turning things over to you.”
Gabe nodded and was silent for a moment. “You know, I guess I never really thought about it like that. He could keep running the business for many more years, so I guess he must feel like I could do it if he’s offering it.”
He smiled that heart-melting smile again. Those dimples . She bit her lip, trying not to stare at his mouth.
Gabe was quiet for a moment. “It helps to have someone else’s perspective. That actually makes me feel a lot better about the situation.”
Genevieve smiled. “No problem. Sometimes it helps to have an outsider’s view of things.” He looked over the rim of his coffee mug. His dark eyes made her skin tingle. Her breath became shallow. What would he do if I move over by him? She knew she’d said she was done with men, but this man was tempting. As if reading her mind, he slid over on the couch so he was close enough to lean over to kiss her. He said something soft and low, but she couldn’t hear him. Her pulse pounded in her ears. He leaned forward just as the explosion went off.