Gabe (Men of Clifton Montana Book 2)

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  “Hey.” He smiled down at her. It was their special greeting.

  Emma stretched. “I’m hungry.”

  “Me too.” Gabe teased as he leaned down to kiss her.

  “I meant for food,” she said with a grin holding him back with a hand to his chest.

  He raised his eyebrows. “So did I.” He winked, letting her know he was lying.

  Reluctantly on his part, he followed her out of the bed and together they went downstairs to eat the dinner she’d prepared earlier. As they sat at the table together, he kept glancing at her.

  “Emma, I…” Gabe started to say when the phone rang. With an annoyed groan, he answered it. After hanging up, he glanced to Emma. “I have to go to the barn. One of the horses is acting up.” He stopped alongside her, kissed her, and hurried out the door. He’d almost done it. He’d almost said it, but then the phone rang. Was that a sign it wasn’t time? You need to man up, Stone! Tell the woman you love her. Christ, grow some balls. Shaking his head, he headed into the barn.

  Chapter Eleven

  Emma was miserable. The baby was very active and making it difficult for her to sleep. She glanced down at her belly and smoothed her hand over it in a caress. “I know you want out, and I want you out but kicking me constantly is not speeding up the process.” As she carefully made her way down the stairs, she heard voices coming from the living room. Stopping in the doorway, she glanced around and then glared at Gabe, who immediately stopped talking with Jake and Wyatt to look in her direction.

  “What?” he asked cautiously.

  She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me we were going to have company?”

  Gabe relaxed his shoulders and laughed. “Jake and Wyatt aren’t company, they’re family.”

  She found no humor in the situation. “You know I want to know when anyone is coming here. The house is a mess.” She noted how Wyatt and Jake glanced around with confused looks on their faces. “I could have done a little cleaning. This was very thoughtless of you.” She turned on her heel and waddled away.

  * * * *

  Gabe ran his hand over his face and shook his head in frustration while his brothers stared at him. He glanced over at them. “I swear, one of these days, I expect her head to spin around.”

  Jake and Wyatt burst out laughing. He stood and suggested they go out to the barn as he motioned for them to follow him. Together they walked through the kitchen where Emma stood at the sink with her back to them. After his brothers left through the back door, Gabe walked over to her and put his arms around her from behind. “I’m sorry, darlin’.” He felt her sigh.

  “No. I’m sorry. That was really stupid of me and probably a little over the top,” Emma said, leaning back against him. He grinned, kissed her neck, then turned her around and pressed his lips against hers before smiling down at her. He stepped back, put on his hat, tapped the brim, and headed outside. His brothers stood in the yard waiting for him. They chuckled when they saw him exit the kitchen grinning.

  “Looks like you made up,” Jake said slapping him on the shoulder.

  Gabe nodded. “She goes from mad to happy in a heartbeat. Of course, she’ll probably be pissed about something else when I go back in.”

  Wyatt gave a mock shudder. “Better you than me, bro.”

  Gabe punched him. “One day it’ll be you, little brother.”

  Wyatt looked at him as if he was crazy. “There’s no way. I came too close to having a noose around my neck once. I’m more than glad I escaped it.” He looked over at Jake. “No offense.”

  Jake narrowed his eyes at him. “I don’t consider marrying Becca a noose around my neck and if you find the right woman, you won’t either. That bitch Stephanie was not the right woman for you.”

  “I know she wasn’t, but I’m not interested in looking for another one.” Wyatt sauntered away leaving Gabe and Jake staring after him.

  * * * *

  Emma woke from a restless nap and as she worked her way down the stairs, she once more heard voices. She’d be calm this time, she told herself but her heart hit her stomach when she saw Sam standing in the living room with his back to her. She gasped at the thought something else might have happened. At her gasp, Sam turned around and smiled at her. She relaxed because he wouldn’t smile if something had happened to someone. She hoped. Smiling back at him, she walked, or rather waddled toward him. “Hi, Sam.”

  “Emma.” Sam nodded at her. “Need to talk to you, could you take a seat please?”

  She frowned not wanting more bad news, but took a seat. She glanced toward Gabe. “What’s going on?”

  “Sam thinks he may know who’s doing the shooting,” Gabe explained. “We’re waiting for Becca and Olivia to get here.” She wondered why Becca and Olivia had to be with them but she didn’t have long to wait, since Becca and Jake arrived a few minutes later with Olivia right behind them. They came through the kitchen to join them in the living room. Olivia and Becca took seats on each side of her. Once everyone had settled in, she noted how Sam took a deep breath. His hesitation failed to make her feel less anxious.

  “I just found out Charles Harris escaped from prison while on a work detail,” Sam announced.

  “What?” Jake’s body went rigid with anger and he reached for Becca’s hand. “Why weren’t we notified of this?”

  Sam shrugged. “I asked the same thing. The excuse they gave was they didn’t have anything on file about notifying anyone. He’s locked up for attempted murder on you, Jake, when he shot at you the night your horses were stolen, but there was nothing saying we had to be told.”

  “Oh my God,” Becca exclaimed, jumping up from her seat with a horrified expression.

  “What is it?” Jake asked her.

  Becca looked down at Emma and Olivia. “The man at the diner.”

  “What man?” all of the men asked in one voice. Becca explained about the man they’d seen at the diner.

  Emma watched as Gabe started pacing. Suddenly, he turned to face her. Gabe was angry. She read it in his expression. “You didn’t think to tell us?” he roared at her.

  She flinched beneath his anger. “I kept forgetting to tell you and since nothing more has happened, it didn’t seem to matter.”

  Gabe squatted in front of her and took a deep breath, but his anger was still there. “It didn’t seem to matter? Jesus Christ, Emma. This could be the man who shot you and killed Tim.”

  “Don’t you yell at me, Gabriel Stone.” She burst into tears. Gabe swore at himself, and pulled her into his arms and held her to him.

  Sam moved closer to where Becca and Olivia now stood, took a photo out of his pocket, and unfolded it, showing it to them. “Is this the man you saw in the diner?” Emma heard them gasp and knew it had to be Charles Harris they’d seen at the diner. When Sam showed it to her, she nodded her agreement.

  Becca took her seat alongside Jake, and Olivia joined Gabe and Emma on the sofa. They all sat quietly while Sam spoke into the two-way radio attached to his shoulder. He told his deputies to check the motels and boarding houses in town, and the diner for Harris. He put out a BOLO, police jargon for be on the lookout, for Charles Harris. Emma knew Sam wanted the man found before he hurt anyone else. So did she. The man’s brother, Steve Harris, had abducted Becca and ransacked her home before she’d turned it into the B and B. Charles Harris was obviously as dangerous as his brother was, if not more. He’d already killed once.

  Sam needed to get back out there to do his job so he told them he’d be in touch and left. When Becca and Jake stood to leave, Emma turned to face Olivia. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone,” she said.

  Olivia shrugged. “Nothing’s happened so far. The place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox.”

  “We thought that before, but Steve got in anyway,” Becca reminded everyone.

  “Yes, but this time I’ve got my own apartment separate from the B and B. Someone might be able to get into the B and B, but not into my
apartment. Besides, Punkin is there. She won’t let anyone in,” Olivia said with a less than confident grin. “If it makes you feel any better, you and Jake can follow me home, Becca. Jake can check out the place before I go in.”

  Emma didn’t like her being on her own, but she knew Olivia wasn’t going to give in either. She hugged Olivia. “If you need us, you call. No matter what time it is.”

  Gabe put his arm around Olivia. “She means it, Liv. No matter what time it is. I can be there in no time, and so can Jake.”

  Olivia laughed it off, but the humor didn’t reach her eyes. “Okay, now you guys are starting to freak me out a little. I promise I’ll call if I need anything.”

  Olivia left in her car with Jake and Becca following close behind in theirs. Gabe turned to glare at Emma, his anger at her returning. “I can’t believe you didn’t mention this man to me. He could be the man who shot you, Emma. Tim is dead, and Sam thinks I was the target. Now I find out there’s a strange man in town, whose presence made you nervous. What part of all that made you think I didn’t need to know about him, or make you not want to let me know about him?” Gabe clenched and unclenched his fists.

  She knew he was angry and didn’t blame him. She sat down, feeling the weight of it all on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. Maybe I was hoping if I ignored him, he’d go away.”

  “You need to tell me when anything doesn’t feel right, understand? I’d bet my last dollar he’s still around.” Gabe sat beside her and pulled her to him. He kissed her forehead. “You don’t leave this house without me. Got it?”

  Emma nodded. She had a feeling Harris was still around too. He was waiting for something, the right moment perhaps. “Do you think he wants revenge for his brother’s death?”

  Gabe nodded. “That’s exactly what I think. What I don’t understand is why he shot you? Why not go after Becca instead? Not that I’d want that either.”

  She had no answer for him. Becca was the logical choice for Harris to go after for revenge. She was the one Steve had abducted and it was because of her, the man’s brother was dead. She yawned. She couldn’t believe she was tired again. She just woke up. Gabe pulled her up from the sofa and lifted her up.

  “Darlin’, don’t hit me, but are you putting on weight?”

  Emma laughed even though she should be insulted. “Just a little bit. I’m hoping to lose most of the weight next month though.”

  Gabe chuckled as he shifted her in his arms. “I’m glad to hear it. I’m not sure my back can take it if you add any more.” She gently smacked the back of his head. He burst out laughing then kissed her. “You can weigh whatever and I’d still…carry you around.”

  She put her head on his shoulder. “You’re a good husband,” she said against his neck as she nuzzled and pressed her lips against his skin.

  Gabe growled. “Keep that up and I’ll be taking a nap with you.”

  Emma sighed and smiled. “I was hoping you would.”

  “I can’t right now but if you’re still asleep when I come in later, I promise to join you.” He nuzzled her neck. “I may just wake you up first, though.” He carried her to the bed and laid her on it before pulling the covers over her. Sleep was pulling her under even as she felt his lips caress hers in a sweet kiss.

  * * * *

  A few days later Emma, Olivia, and Becca traveled into town to the local florist shop to pick out flowers for Becca’s wedding. Madilyn Young sat behind the counter and greeted them with a smile when they entered. Madilyn was a tall, gorgeous redhead with porcelain skin and a sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Thick, lush eyelashes surrounded luminous light green eyes.

  “Hi Madilyn,” Emma said with a smile. Becca and Olivia greeted her as well.

  “Hi girls! Are you ready to pick out your bouquets, Becca?” Madilyn asked rising from her seat behind the counter.

  Becca laughed, her voice filled with excitement. “I am. Let’s do this.”

  An hour later, Becca had finally made a decision on her arrangements. Madilyn wrote up the order after pouring them each yet another glass of champagne. Of course, Emma was still nursing her first one. Madilyn left them for a minute to wait on another customer.

  “She’s so beautiful,” Olivia mentioned after the redhead walked away.

  Emma nodded her agreement. “Yes, she is. Poor thing had her heart broken about four years ago by Brody Morgan. They were such a hot item, and then he left town.”

  “Why?” Becca asked with obvious curiosity.

  “Brody had an opportunity to join the United States Marshals Service and Madilyn didn’t want him to. He worked for the local police here with her dad, and then her dad pulled over a speeder one night. The man shot and killed him. Madilyn was terrified from then on about Brody being in law enforcement.” Emma shook her head sadly. “It was awful when he left. I thought she was going to fade away. It’s just recently that she’s even started smiling again. I don’t think she’ll love anyone the way she loved Brody.”

  “Another hottie, I presume?” Olivia asked, shrugging her shoulders sarcastically.

  “Oh, dear lord, Brody’s so hot. Well, he was then. I don’t know about now. But he has black hair, brown eyes and believe it or not, he wears glasses and he looks so hot in them. There’s not a woman in town who didn’t love seeing him in those glasses.” Emma slightly shook her head then shushed them. “Here she comes.”

  The women spent a little longer at the florist before heading off together to catch some lunch. As they sat in their usual booth in the diner, Emma glanced around but thankfully, didn’t see Charles Harris anywhere. She let out a relieved sigh and smiled as Connie arrived at their table to take their orders. Maybe he’d left town and wouldn’t be around anymore. She hoped so, even prayed for it. She listened as Becca and Olivia discussed the wedding. She was thrilled to be in the wedding. She just hoped she’d lose enough weight before then. Her gown wouldn’t fit if she didn’t.

  “Tell me about Brody Morgan hurting Madilyn.” Olivia suddenly changed the subject and smiled. Olivia certainly loved gossip.

  Emma sighed. “Just what I told you. They were so in love, but he wanted to be a US Marshal like Sam.”

  “Sam was a US Marshal? I didn’t know that,” Becca said with sudden excitement in her voice.

  “Yes, he went in right after college. Then his parents moved to California and asked him to come home to run the ranch. Sam ran for the position of Sheriff here in Clifton, and won,” she told them, suddenly proud of her old friend.

  “Who wouldn’t vote for Sam? I know I would.” Olivia sighed. “He’s so hot.”

  Emma and Becca agreed. “Anyway, Brody asked Madilyn to go with him but she refused. I’m not sure what her reasons were, but he left without her. I spent some time with Madilyn after he left and she was a real mess. She kept saying she should have gone with him. She said she’d rather have a little time with him than none at all. I tried to talk her into going after him, but she wouldn’t do it. She’d just cry and say she’d never forgive him for leaving her. I remember the day he tore out of here on that Harley of his.”

  “Ooh, he has a Harley. That’s hot too,” Olivia cooed, making Becca and Emma laugh.

  “I should get going. I told Gabe we wouldn’t be out all afternoon and…” Emma glanced at her watch. “Well, we’ve been out all afternoon.” She laughed, feeling mischievous.

  A few days later, Emma called Madilyn and arranged to meet for lunch. She missed her friend. They used to be close until Brody left and Madilyn crawled into a hole, and seemingly disappeared. She sat in the booth watching for Madilyn. Her eyes scanned the diner for Charles Harris, but he was nowhere around. She breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he’d left town, if they were lucky. She couldn’t believe he had the nerve to show his face here while he was a prisoner on the run. Apparently, the man had no scruples. She shuddered at the thought of the damage he’d already caused. She supposed not seeing him was a good thing.

  She smiled with del
ight when she saw Madilyn enter the diner. The lovely redhead smiled when she spotted her in the booth. Emma watched Madilyn weave her way through the tables, stopping occasionally when someone spoke to her. Finally, she made it to the booth and took a seat across from her.

  “Hi Emma, I’m so sorry I’m late. Katie and I are so busy at the shop, which is good but tiring,” Madilyn exclaimed with a bright smile.

  “It’s okay, I haven’t been here long.” Emma picked up the menu and scanned it. Closing it, she laid it on the table. “Do you know what you want? I just realized I’m starving.” She ran her hands over her swollen belly.

  “I do.” Madilyn summoned Connie over to them.

  Emma gazed up at Connie. “I want one of everything.” She smiled when Connie burst out laughing. “Just a burger and fries for me, Connie…oh, and a vanilla coke. I’ll get dessert later.” Madilyn and Connie laughed as she shrugged and grinned.

  “You are eating for two after all, Em,” Madilyn reminded her.

  “That’s as good an excuse as any,” Connie said with humor behind her wink.

  Emma giggled. “I’ll tell Gabe that when I weigh three hundred pounds.”

  “Oh, Emma, Gabe will love you no matter what. You have a great man there,” Madilyn told her. Emma did her best to keep the smile on her face. She didn’t want any reminder of how much Gabe didn’t love her. She blinked quickly to keep the tears at bay. Madilyn touched her hand. “What is it? What did I say?” she whispered.

  “Nothing…I,” Emma murmured while shaking her head. “It’s nothing.”

  “You can tell me anything, Emma. I know we haven’t seen each other a lot lately and that’s my fault, but you’re my friend and I love you.”

  She sighed. “Gabe and I only got married because of the baby.” She shook her head. “He doesn’t love me, Madilyn.”

  “Bullshit. I’ve seen that man looking at you. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is,” Madilyn exclaimed, and then glancing around lowered her voice. “He loves you.”