Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
G enevieve waved to Gabe as she pulled her car away from Bramblewood. The roads were finally clear enough for her to make her way down the mountain back home. Her mind went back to the events of the nights before. She’d had so much fun with him cooking and preparing for the storm. And cuddling throughout the night... well, that was just perfect. The only thing better was the kiss that morning. She sighed. So, what now? I don’t know what he wants or even how long he will be in town.
As soon as she got cellphone service, she called Tilly to check on her.
“Hello?” Tilly sneezed loudly in her ear.
“Tilly? You okay?”
“Gen! I’m so glad to hear from you. I tried calling you several times last night, but you must not have had service. I was so nervous that you didn’t make it home. I called the police to see if they could patrol all the way up here, but they said they couldn’t get up the mountain for the storm.”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Boy, do I have a story for you.” She filled Tilly in on all the details of the night before.
“So, you kissed?” Tilly squealed. “You lucky duck. He is so dreamy.”
“You think so?” She smiled. I think he’s pretty dreamy too.
“Heck, yes. I’m so excited for you. So what do you think will happen next?”
“I have no idea. I don’t know how long he will be in town. He runs his family’s company. Sounds like he’s traveled a lot for that. I’m sure we are just a stop on the road for him.”
“Not necessarily. I mean, he’s renting a cottage here. Not staying in a hotel or something.”
“True. I don’t know, Til. I like him. A lot. But after Tim...”
“Forget Tim. He was a jerk. Wait. Jerk is too weak of a word. He was scum. That wasn’t your fault. It could have happened to anyone.”
“I don’t know about that. I’m too trusting.”
“Well, now you aren’t trusting anyone, and you might miss out on an amazing person if you judge everybody by Tim.”
Genevieve sighed. Tilly’s right. I’ll have to try to move past that. Not everyone is a lying, cheating pig.
“I know you’re right. Look, I’m about to pull up at the house. Call me tomorrow, okay? And get some more rest.”
“I will.” Tilly sneezed again. “Don’t worry. I’m not moving for the rest of the day.”
Gabe flipped his phone back and forth in his hands. Should I call her? I want to see her. I need to tell her the truth about who I am. He punched in her number, which he’d gotten before she’d left that morning.
“Hello?” She sounded sleepy.
“Genevieve?” He paused. “It’s Gabe. Did I wake you?”
“Gabe, hi. No, you didn’t wake me. I was just catching up on some television shows.”
“I know you haven’t been gone that long, but I....well, I miss you. I wanted to see if I could see you again?”
“Sure. Of course. When?”
He hoped that was excitement that he heard in her voice. “Tonight?”
“Tonight? Ummm... okay. Yeah, that would be great. I don’t know if there is much to do in town since a lot of the businesses are still closed.”
“That’s okay. How about we just hang out? I can make you a grilled cheese.”
She laughed at that. “Fancy. Sure, sounds good. How about you come over around six?”
“See you then.”
On the drive to her house, he’d rehearsed his speech again. I didn’t plan to let anyone know who I was. I panicked when you told me about Tim and that I should have admitted the truth then. He took a deep breath. She’ll forgive me. She has to.
Gabe straightened his shirt as he stepped out of the pickup truck in Genevieve’s driveway. He carried the plastic bag that contained a loaf of bread, butter, and cheese. He knocked on the door, shifting back and forth, trying to calm his nerves.
She opened the door and greeted him with a bright smile. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He wrapped her in a big hug, circling her small waist with his arms. He lightly kissed her cheek. His pulse hummed being so close to her.
She giggled. “Come in from the cold.”
Her house was her style. The small brick bungalow was decorated in soft, warm colors. Books were piled up everywhere- on shelves, end tables, corners of the room. A fire glowed in the living room, giving the whole place a cozy warmth. His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he hit the silence button without even pulling it out of his pocket.
“I love your place.” He held up the bag. “Dinner awaits. Show me to my workspace.” They laughed, as she directed him to the kitchen.
He made up two grilled cheeses, while she poured two glasses of wine. She’d set the table with pretty white plates and blue cloth napkins. His phone vibrated again, but he continued to ignore it. Whatever it was could wait until he was back home alone. Right now, he wanted to focus on Genevieve and get this business of telling her who he really is over.
He bit into the sandwich. Cheese oozed out, making him work to catch it in his mouth. “Not too shabby.”
Genevieve bit into her sandwich, nodding in agreement. She sipped her wine, then tipped her head to the side. “I have to say it surprised me you called so quickly.”
“Was that a good surprise?”
“Yes, of course.” They finished their meal then retreated to the living room. They sat facing each other on the sofa, a blanket draped over their legs. Gabe ignored his buzzing phone. It buzzed again.
Genevieve gestured toward his phone. “Do you need to get that?”
“No, whoever it is can wait.” He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. He breathed her in and let himself get lost in her. A sharp knock on the door made him pull back.
“Is someone at the door?”
Genevieve waved a hand in the air. “Whoever it is can wait. At least for another minute.” She kissed him again before getting up to answer the door. Gabe leaned back and sipped his wine.
She leaned her head in the doorway. “Ummm... Gabe? It’s for you.” He turned to see Fairfax, his father’s valet, staring back at him.