Chapter 31 #2
“Actually,” I began, cutting in, “I have something I think you’ll like even better.
” Gabe eyed me curiously. I hadn’t told him about the project I’d been working on with Gigi.
He would be just as surprised as Rory. I’d spent every free evening I had knitting this special creation, and now it was time to see if my hard work paid off.
“You do?” Rory asked, practically buzzing with excitement.
“I do,” I confirmed, reaching into the bottom of the bag. Her eyes lit up when I revealed a pink drawstring bag and handed it to her. She tore it open and thrust her hand inside. Pulling out the knitted chinchilla, she held it up and gasped, her eyes growing wide.
“It looks just like Andy,” she announced, her voice filled with wonder. “Did you make this?”
“I did. Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it!” she declared and sprang into my arms. “Thank you.” She hugged me tight, refusing to let go for a long time. Then she said something that cracked my chest open and clogged my throat with emotion. “I love you, Jasmine.”
“I love you too, kid.” My eyes found Gabe’s and a deluge of emotions flashed in his. They said more than words ever could. She released me and skipped over to my grandmother to show off her new toy. Gabe stepped up next to me, and my skin hummed at his nearness.
“I didn’t know you could knit,” he said, his tone impressed.
I shrugged. “I only learned recently,” I explained, leaving out the part where I only did it so I could make Rory’s gift.
He studied me a moment, a spark of recognition flashing in his eyes as they filled with appreciation.
He opened his mouth to speak, but a man’s voice boomed over the speakers and the crowd around us quieted.
“Attention please. The auction will start in five minutes. Please make your way to your seats.” We finished displaying the items and slipped away to the back of the crowd.
“Are you sticking around for the auction?” Gabe asked.
“Just long enough to see who wins my item so I can get their information,” I replied as the auctioneer presented the first item up for bid.
“What do you have up for grabs?” he asked, eyes alight with intrigue.
“Why? Are you going to bid?” I asked teasingly.
“Maybe,” he replied with a playful grin.
“You might be disappointed.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’m offering riding lessons, so it would be a waste of your time.” He held my gaze, his eyes boring into me like they could see straight to my soul.
“Time spent with you could never be a waste,” he said so low I could barely hear him over the auctioneer.
“Gabe,” I breathed, unsure what to say. How did I put into words the swell of emotions filling my chest and threatening to cut off my air.
“Jasmine Hayes,” the auctioneer called, and both our heads snapped in his direction.
He motioned to me with his hand, and the crowd turned my way.
I offered them an awkward wave. He continued, announcing the opening bid for my riding lessons.
The bids went on longer and rose much higher than I anticipated. Finally it was down to two bidders.
“Shit,” I hissed when I realized who one of them was.
“Shit’s a bad word,” Rory announced, and Gabe sighed.
“You’re not allowed to repeat the bad words when I’m right here to witness it. We’ve been over this.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. I covered my mouth to suppress a laugh, and he clocked the movement. His warning glare only fueled my mirth.
“Sorry, Dad. I forgot,” Rory said with a shrug.
“Sold to the gentleman in the blue shirt,” the auctioneer announced before I could apologize for cursing in front of his kid. Brad Prescott stood and collected a certificate from the assistant and immediately headed toward me.
“Oh no,” I groaned. I’d been successfully dodging Brad’s advances for three years, but it looked like my luck had just run out. He wore a pleased grin as he strode toward us.
“Is there a reason that guy just paid three times the normal cost to take riding lessons from you that won’t make me want to drop him down an abandoned well?
” Gabe asked, his shoulders set tight and his jaw tense.
Call me toxic, but this protective, possessive display from Gabe caused a fluttering in my chest and a tingling between my legs.
“Probably not,” I replied, my voice sounding huskier than I’d intended. Gabe turned to face me, and his eyes flared at whatever he saw in my expression.
“Jasmine, hey,” Brad said, trying to get my attention. I reluctantly pulled my gaze away from Gabe and settled it on Brad.
“Hi, Brad. Congrats on your winning bid.”
“Thanks. I can’t wait to get started.” He raked his gaze down my body, openly leering at me right in front of Gabe. “Why don’t you give your number so I can call you to set up our first lesson?”
“How about you give me yours, and I’ll let you know when I have an opening?” There was no way in hell I was giving him my number. I’d call him from Rowan’s phone and let him explain to my big brother if he decided to save the number and try calling me back.
“Sure,” he agreed and rattled off his number while I entered it into my phone.
“You want to get out of here and go grab some dinner?” he asked. I felt rather than saw Gabe stiffen next to me.
“I can’t. I promised this little sweetheart I’d take her on all the rides,” I said, reaching for Rory and pulling her in front of me. Technically, that was a lie. I’d made no such promise, but I had intended to do it. I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.
“Oh.” Disappointment tinged his words, but he wouldn’t be deterred. “How about afterward? Maybe we can hang out. Grab a drink at Spokes & Spurs?”
Before I could respond, Gabe stepped up to him, his menacing scowl wiping the smarmy grin off Brad’s face.
“Take a hint, pal. She doesn't want to go out with you.” Brad swallowed hard. Gabe wasn’t much bigger than him, but he had that rugged cowboy, ready-to-throw-hands-at-the-drop-of-a-hat look to him.
Brad got facials and wore loafers. They were not the same.
Brad took a step back and held up his hands. “Hey, man, we’re old friends. I just wanted to catch up. That’s all.” Gabe didn’t respond. He just glared at him. “See ya around, Jasmine,” Brad called to me as he backed away. He turned on his heel and quickly scurried off.
Holy shit, what was wrong with me? Normally, I’d be furious with someone butting in like that, but when Gabe did it, it was a huge turn-on.
“Are you okay?” Gabe asked, concern filling his eyes as he reached for my hand. His fingers gently wrapped around my wrist. “Your heart is racing. Did he scare you?”
“No,” I replied. Damn it, I was panting too.
And I was wet, but I kept that tidbit to myself.
“Let’s um … go ride some rides,” I said, attempting a chipper tone.
“Finally,” Rory rejoiced.
Gabe and I took her around to all the rides. I got on some of the bigger ones with her while Gabe stood by and watched, holding onto Rory’s stuffed chinchilla and occasionally taking pictures.
The sun was beginning to set as we exited the last ride, and Rory announced she was hungry. A local country band was setting up on the stage when we passed by on our way to the food vendors. We grabbed pulled pork sandwiches and plopped down on a picnic table.
I was halfway through my sandwich when my dad spotted us, and I froze. I hadn’t expected him to still be here since Mom and Rowan's booth of baked goods usually sold out within a few hours, and they headed home early.
“Hey, Spunk, where ya been?” he asked, sinking down next to me.
“We’ve been riding rides,” Rory announced, kicking her feet back and forth as she popped a chip into her mouth.
“Is that right?” Dad inquired, giving her all his attention.
“Mmm-hmm,” Rory responded as she chewed.
“That’s nice. I’m glad you’ve got someone other than this old man to hang out with,” he teased, pointing at Gabe with his thumb. Rory giggled, and Gabe took a drink of his lemonade to hide his wince. He recovered quickly, engaging in his usual banter with my dad.
“If I’m old, what’s that make you?” Gabe’s retort was good natured, but guarded.
“Ancient,” Dad quipped with a chuckle. “I better get back to Sunny,” he announced using the nickname he gave my mom back in college.
“She swears she doesn’t need my help packing up, but then she makes me do all the heavy lifting,” he said as he pushed up from the table.
“You kids have fun.” He nodded to us and walked off.
Gabe and I shared a look, and I witnessed in real time him shuttering his emotions.
My dad hadn’t suspected a thing and where all I felt was relief, Gabe clearly was consumed by guilt.
My grandmother approached, wearing a mischievous grin, one I recognized meant she was up to something. “Are y’all going to watch the concert?” she asked, glancing from Gabe to me.
“I was planning to,” I answered at the same time Gabe said, “I don’t think Rory will want to.”
“Why don’t I take Miss Aurora to get some honeysuckle ice cream and hang out for a bit while you two enjoy the music? It’s about to start,” she added enticingly.
“Yay, ice cream!” Rory chirped.
“How can I say no to that?” he gritted out, and I nearly laughed. My grandma had played him, knowing he couldn’t deny her if she asked in front of his kid without looking like the meanest dad ever.
“You can’t,” Gigi replied triumphantly and led Rory away.
Gabe and I walked toward the town square as the band began their set. It was standing room only with all the chairs on the lawn occupied. We found an open spot at the very back of the crowd.
“So how long do you think we can safely leave Rory with Rose?” Gabe asked.
“At least long enough for us to listen to a few songs. She doesn’t usually let the kids start knocking off convenience stores or robbing banks until they’re at least sixteen. Someone’s gotta drive the getaway car.”
He snorted a laugh. “That’s reassuring.”