by Cindy Kirk
“Abe is a golden retriever.”
“The dogs I’ve seen have all been small.” Orlando stabbed the egg with his fork then looked up. “You spoke with Jeanne Marie last night? After you left here?”
“I played poker at Jude’s house. Jeanne Marie and Deke were there, too,” she added quickly.
Still, her father’s lips pressed together. “Hadn’t you already spent the better part of yesterday morning with the boy?”
The trail ride. It seemed so long ago. And it was the last thing she wanted to think about when her father’s gaze was trained on her like a hawk assessing his prey.
She snatched a grape from a bowl on her father’s tray and popped it into her mouth. “Jude needed a sub for poker and it sounded like fun. I cleaned them out.”
Pride replaced the concern in her father’s eyes. For a second he appeared to forget his worry over the time she was spending with Jude. “You surprised them.”
“They didn’t have a clue until it was over.” Gabi discussed the hands played and how she’d won the last pot with a straight. “The weird thing is they want me back.”
“They?” Orlando lifted a brow. “Or Jude?”
“Since the group only meets once a month, it’s probably not going to happen. I’m sure I’ll be back in Florida by the time they get together again.” Gabi forged ahead, not giving her father a chance to comment. “By the way, I discovered Jeanne Marie is big on volunteering. I have to say her enthusiasm made me feel like a slug. I realized all I’ve done for the past couple years is work.”
“You have an important job,” Orlando reminded her. “It’s understandable that you’ve focused your energies there.”
Gabi couldn’t argue. Her duties at the bank did keep her busy. But everyone had some free time. “Mom always made it a point to volunteer. I remember going with her when she delivered Meals on Wheels.”
“Your mama—” a look of pride crossed his face “—she cared about people.”
“I want to be that kind of person,” Gabi said with a fervor that surprised her. “I’ve been blessed in so many ways. I want to give back.”
“When you return to Miami—”
“I’m not going to wait that long, Papi.” Gabi stuck out her chin. “I want to start now.”
He didn’t attempt to dissuade her, merely looked curious. “What do you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure yet where I want to volunteer.” Gabi pulled her brows together. “But I sense an opportunity is right around the corn—”
“Is this a private conversation or may I join you?” Jeanne Marie stood in the doorway to the dining area, a huge smile on her face.
The older woman’s silvery-gray hair was pulled back in a bun. Today, she wore a flowing burgundy skirt and a gauzy cotton top with burgundy splashes. Next to her a gorgeous golden retriever stood, resplendent in a red vest.
“Jeanne Marie, I’m so happy you stopped by.” Gabi pushed back her chair and crossed the room to crouch by the animal. “I take it this handsome boy is Abe.”
Gabi chuckled when the retriever sat and held out a paw for her to shake.
“Good-looking animal,” Orlando concurred.
“You like dogs?” Jeanne Marie asked him.
“I do.” Orlando straightened in his seat, his military posture reminding Gabi of all the years he’d spent in the air force. “Luz and I were both big dog lovers.”
Jeanne Marie strolled to Orlando’s side, the dog trotting obediently by her side. The look on the older woman’s face was kind. “Luz was your wife?”
Without warning, Orlando’s eyes grew misty. “Thirty-eight years we were together before God called her home.”
“I can’t imagine losing Deke.” Jeanne Marie pulled back a chair and took a seat. The dog inched close to Orlando.
His hand dropped, and automatically he began to stroke the dog’s soft golden coat. Gabi watched in amazement as the tension around her father’s eyes eased.
“My husband and I have been married forty years,” Jeanne Marie confided before launching into a lengthy anecdote about life in the seventies.
Gabi listened with half an ear until she heard Jeanne Marie mention her name.
“I’m enjoying this conversation so much, I wonder if you could take Abe around for me? That way your father and I can visit a little while longer.”
Gabi offered a tentative smile. “I’d be happy to help. But I’m not sure of the protocol.”
Jeanne Marie explained the steps, beginning with checking in at the assigned nurses’ station for a list of patients open to a therapy dog visit.
“Abe is well trained,” Jeanne Marie added after she finished her instructions. “Just follow his lead. And have fun.”
Gabi took the dog’s leash and headed down the hall toward the only nurses’ station not crossed off on Jeanne Marie’s list. The pleasure Gabi got at the mere thought of performing this simple act of kindness only reinforced that changes needed to be made when she returned to Miami.
Miami. The city had always been home. She liked it there. Who wouldn’t? Great weather. Fabulous beaches. Not to mention an impressive nightlife. Horseback Hollow had a different feel. Warm. Homey. Of course, that could simply be because this was where her father lived now.
Still, the thought that Gabriella Mendoza might possibly be a small-town girl at heart, made her smile.
The dark-headed nurse at the circular station greeted Gabi warmly and Abe by name. She gestured down the hall toward rooms in the hospital part of the structure.
“Leslie will be transferred to the Texas Medical Center in Houston tomorrow,” the RN told her. “Her parents are busy making arrangements. The girl loves animals, and I know she’d appreciate company.”
The “girl” in room 202 appeared to be in her early twenties. She had muddy-brown hair cut in a chin-length bob and big blue eyes. She could have been any one of the college students Gabi saw on the streets of Lubbock except for the unhealthy yellowish tinge to her skin and fluid-filled bags under her round doll eyes. But she brightened when she saw Abe.
“Hi, Leslie. I’m Gabi. This is Abe.” Gabi paused in the doorway and gestured to the retriever, whose tail swished slowly side to side. “Is it okay if we come in and visit?”
“I’d like that.” The girl put down the magazine she’d been reading and smiled.
“Sucks to be in the hospital.” Gabi took a seat in the chair next to the bed while Abe stood close, staring up at Leslie with his big brown eyes.
Eyes which slowly closed in doggy-bliss when Leslie began to scratch the top of his head.
“I’m being transferred to Houston tomorrow,” Leslie told Gabi. “I’ve moved up on the liver transplant list, and we need to be ready.”
Gabi had been too sick to remember much about the days preceding her own transplant. “That’s fabulous news. Shouldn’t you be out celebrating?”
The girl choked out a laugh. It died in her throat as the door opened behind Gabi.
“Jude.” Pleasure lit Leslie’s tired eyes.
Gabi swiveled in her seat. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the rugged cowboy standing in the doorway, hat in hand.
“I didn’t realize you had company.” Though he spoke to Leslie, his gaze remained on Gabi.
“These two are the latest.” Leslie smiled at Gabi and Abe then motioned Jude inside with a hand that trembled slightly. “Delaney and Stacey were here earlier.”
“My dad mentioned something about them driving to Lubbock this morning.” Jude moved to pat the top of Abe’s head before shooting Gabi a questioning glance.
“Your mother was having a nice conversation with my dad and she asked me to make the rounds with Abe.” Gabi gestured to the girl whose now-obviously curious gaze shifted between her and Jude. “Leslie and I
were just getting acquainted. How do you know each other?”
“My dad works for Jude’s father,” Leslie explained before Jude could respond. “He’s one of the foremen.”
“Bill is a stand-up guy,” Jude told Gabi then turned to Leslie. “I hear you’re planning a trip to Houston.”
“Tomorrow,” Leslie said with a weary smile.
“Big day.” Jude leaned over the bed and gave the girl’s hand a squeeze. “You should be resting.”
“I suppose.” Leslie shifted a wistful gaze to Abe. “I hope they have therapy dogs at the transplant center.”
“It was nice meeting you, Leslie.” Gabi rose to her feet. “I’ll be thinking of you.”
“Thanks.” The girl shifted her gaze to Jude. “I’m glad you stopped by.”
“Hey, you guys are practically family.” Jude’s eyes were a deep, intense blue as he gazed down at the too-thin girl. “Take care, Leslie. Good luck.”
Jude followed Gabi and Abe out of the room and pulled the door shut behind him. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “You should have seen her a couple years ago. So much energy. Full of life.”
“She’ll be that way again.” Gabi rested a hand on his arm. “They’ve made great strides in organ transplantation in the past decade.”
“Won’t she have to take all sorts of drugs?”
“I’m sure they’ll be some antirejection meds she’ll have to take.” Gabi kept her tone even. “It’s a small price to pay for having the rest of her life.”
Jude shrugged then refocused on her. “How many more patients do you have to visit?”
“Actually, Leslie was our only one on this unit.” Gabi didn’t bother to hide her disappointment. “We’re on our way back to my dad’s room now.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Jude said.
“It was nice of you to stop by and see Leslie.”
“I’ve known her since she was born,” Jude explained. “She and my sisters used to play dolls on the front porch.”
As they paused in the narrow hallway to let a gurney transporting a patient pass, Gabi reached down to stroke the dog’s head.
Jude smiled. “Looks like you and Abe have bonded.”
“I like dogs.” Gabi let her fingers slide through the silky golden fur and felt the stirrings of regret. “Unfortunately my condo doesn’t allow pets.”
“You could move.”
“I could. My lease is up next month.” Gabi considered the possibility for a moment then shook her head. “It wouldn’t be fair. I work too many hours. Dogs need someone around, at least a good share of the time.”
“I grew up with dogs.” Jude placed his hand against the small of her back as they crossed the hall connecting the hospital with the rehab center. “They were never allowed in the house. My dad is old school. According to him, animals belong outside.”
“As long as they have food, water and a warm place to go to when the weather turns bad, they probably love having the freedom to roam.” Gabi thought of the wide-open spaces she’d seen during her ride on Sweet Betsy. “It amazes me how a person can go for miles in the countryside without seeing another soul.”
Jude cast a sideways glance. “That worked in our favor yesterday.”
“About that.” Gabi took his arm then glanced around to make sure no one was close enough to hear. “Things got a bit out of hand.”
He didn’t say anything but his eyes searched hers. “I thought you enjoyed the...experience?”
“I did.” Gabi lowered her voice as they strolled past a busy therapy area and tried to ignore the heat creeping up her neck. “I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what occurred and what comes next.”
His blue eyes turned wary when she tugged him to a little alcove with two spice-colored chairs and a table topped with several current magazines. “Let’s sit for a second.”
Once seated, Jude stretched his long legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. To a casual onlooker, he’d appear relaxed, a handsome cowboy in scuffed brown boots and worn jeans. But Gabi had begun to know his face. The tight set to his jaw belied the relaxed demeanor.
She took a deep breath. “The bottom line is I can’t sleep with you until I know you better,” she blurted out. “Until you know me.”
Something she couldn’t quite identify flickered in his molten blue eyes.
“Casual sex with someone who is little more than a stranger may work for some women.” She spoke quickly, fighting the urge to babble. “Not for me.”
“I don’t want you to consider me a stranger, Gabi.” His gaze searched hers. “Not knowing each other well is an easy enough problem to fix. All we need to do is spend more time together. Unless you have plans with your father, we can start tonight.”
“My dad mentioned yesterday they were having a John Wayne movie marathon tonight.” Gabi laughed. “Thankfully my presence is not required.”
“Perfect,” Jude said. “I have something in mind you’ll really like.”
“What is it?”
“An event that will give you the opportunity to become better acquainted with the community and with me.” He leaned over and, before she could protest, kissed her soundly. “Trust me. We won’t be strangers for long.”
* * *
Jude pulled up in front of Gabi’s house shortly before six but didn’t immediately get out of the truck. He thought about his earlier conversation with Gabi and his mother’s comments about friendship being the framework of a long and happy marriage.
Tonight he and Gabi would work on building that foundation. Because he wasn’t certain how long she’d be in Horseback Hollow, Jude was determined to make the most of every second with her.
The problem was he didn’t feel all that upbeat tonight.
That afternoon, while moving cattle, his father had mentioned that a longtime neighbor, Roy Lerdahl—who’d been diagnosed with ALS last fall—had made the decision to sell his spread.
The land, which had been in the Lerdahl family for generations, would be auctioned off next month to the highest bidder. Jude had known Roy all his life, had gone to school with his children, apparently none of whom had an interest in ranching.
It didn’t seem fair that Roy had to give up his spread. Not fair that one of the strongest—and best—men Jude knew had to face such a devastating disease.
Bad things shouldn’t happen to such a good person. Anger surged, and Jude gave Gabi’s door a hard punch.
“Coming.” He heard her cheery voice through the thick wood.
The door opened, and Gabi stood there, a breath of fresh air and just what he needed after a hard day. She wore a flowing skirt in her trademark red and a white shirt with those little holes in it. Eyelet, his mother called it. She’d left her dark hair down, falling in gentle waves past her shoulders.
The smile on her lips faded when she saw him. “What’s wrong?”
Jude whipped off his hat, raked a hand through his hair. “Crappy day.”
“Come in.” She took his hand, pulled him into the living room then over to the sofa, where she sat beside him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Something in her eyes said she wasn’t being polite, that she really did want to know. So he told her. About growing up and seeing his father and Roy as larger-than-life. Strong, solid men who could handle anything the elements threw at them.
His disbelief when he’d heard Roy’s diagnosis. And his grief and profound sadness as he watched a man he’d come to consider a friend deteriorate before his eyes. “Dad says Roy’s ranch will go up for auction next month. Roy and his wife will move to an apartment in Lubbock.”
“I’m sorry.” Gabi leaned her head against his shoulder and her hand curled around his.
“It’s just not fair.” The words burst from Jude’s lips like a bullet. �
��Roy is one of the best men I know. He doesn’t deserve this.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Sadness filled Gabi’s eyes.
“Do you believe these...trials in life...are random happenings? You know, good or bad luck, or do you think there’s some meaning behind them?”
“I don’t have the answer.” Gabi expelled a long breath. “I wish I did. When my mother was diagnosed I railed against God. How could this happen to such a good, kind, caring woman? Why not to some serial killer?”
“Exactly,” Jude agreed.
“Some people say these trials in life are supposed to make you stronger.” For a second Gabi’s eyes took on a distant glow, then she blinked. “I say, these are lessons most of us could learn without being hit over the head and pummeled into the ground.”
Jude briefly closed his eyes. “I feel so helpless. I want to help Roy but there isn’t anything I can do.”
“You can continue to be his friend,” Gabi said softly. “You can visit him in Lubbock even when it’s uncomfortable for you. Let him know he hasn’t been forgotten. Sometimes when things happen, friends step away because they’re not sure what to say or do. Just being there will mean a lot.”
The words struck a chord in Jude’s heart. “You’re right. That’s something I can do, something I will do.”
“He’s lucky to have you for a friend.”
“Actually, he’s more my dad’s—”
“No,” Gabi said firmly. “He’s your friend, too.”
“Yeah.” Jude cleared the emotion from his throat. “He’s my friend.”
Jude slipped his arm around her shoulder, and Gabi laid her head against his chest. He pressed a kiss against her dark hair, and some of the heaviness gripping his chest lifted.
“We don’t have to go out tonight,” she whispered. “We can just hang out here.”
“We could,” he said, “but I want to show you a slice of small-town life.”
“Slice of small-town life. How poetic.”
He felt her smile against his shirtfront.
“Tell me, does this slice include food?” she asked. “I’m starving.”