by Cindy Kirk
Once her father was discharged and able to manage on his own, she’d be leaving Horseback Hollow. In the meantime, Gabi would cram in as much time with Jude as possible.
Take this morning. She’d sat with him in his family pew and had been seriously tempted when he’d invited her back to his parents’ house for Sunday brunch.
In the end she’d begged off, telling him she had to call her brothers and update them on Orlando’s progress. Though her father spoke—and texted—regularly with each of his sons, he didn’t always give them a clear picture of his progress. The boys—er, men—depended on their little sister for unbiased, factual information.
After giving the same basic report and answering the same questions four different times, Gabi felt as if her day was finally ready to begin. She glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. Jude was late.
Considering they still had to swing by the animal shelter and pick up the three dogs they’d be taking with them to the Civic Center then drive an hour to Lubbock, every minute counted if they wanted to be there when the Animal Extravaganza opened.
She pulled out her phone to text Jude but stopped when she heard his truck pull into the driveway. Through the front window she saw him get out, looking mouthwateringly handsome in jeans and a white polo, and quivered like a sixteen-year-old about to embark on a first date.
He took her hands and stepped back. “You look amazing.”
Before she could respond, he leaned over and brought his lips to hers in a long, lingering kiss.
Stepping back, Jude stroked one hand up her arm as if he couldn’t keep from touching her. “I’ve missed you.”
“We just saw each other a couple hours ago,” she said, even as she found herself linking her fingers with his.
“Feels like forever,” he said, then kissed her again.
Warmth spread through Gabi’s body, and she realized it was the same for her. How had he become so important in such a short time? All she thought about was him. Only when he was with her did her world feel in sync.
Better get used to it being out of sync, she scolded herself then grabbed a jacket. “We should get moving. We still have to stop by the shelter and—”
“All done.” The eyes Jude fixed on her were curious and she worried they saw too much. “Dogs are in the truck.”
“What? How?” Gabi asked then waved away the questions. “It doesn’t matter.”
Once outside, she hurried to the pickup. Jude had stowed the three carriers in the backseat of the truck’s extended cab. Two held small dogs, while the other was in the medium to large size range. Or perhaps he just looked large, she thought, in comparison to the others.
“Is that a Shih Tzu?” She gestured to a black-and-white puffball calmly licking a paw.
“Yes.” Jude paused, as if searching his memory. “That’s Ernie. Nine-year-old male. The elderly woman who owned him died recently. Apparently none of the family could take him. He’s got papers and everything.”
Gabi let her gaze linger on the small dog with big brown eyes, who’d recently lost the person he loved most in the world. Soon, very soon, she’d be in the position of being separated from the one she loved. Although Jude would still be alive, he wouldn’t be with her.
“I’ll find you a good home, Ernie,” she said with an intensity that made Jude look up from the carrier he was straightening. “I promise.”
The dog’s fluffy tail thumped against the bottom of the crate, his big eyes full of trust.
Gabi took a steadying breath and shifted her gaze to the large carrier, the one holding the bigger dog. His sleek black fur was laced with silver and his golden eyes shone sharp and assessing. The animal’s penetrating gaze never wavered from her face. “Who is this?”
“Shug.”
Tilting her head, Gabi frowned. “That’s his name?”
“Yep.” Jude lifted a shoulder. “It was on his collar. He was a stray. He’s a blue heeler, also known as an Australian cattle dog.”
“I’d think with all your cattle, you could use one of these around your place.”
“We already have a couple of border collies.” Jude’s blue eyes were warm and reassuring as he reached over and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We won’t have any trouble finding this fella a good home.”
The blue heeler must have finished his assessment of Gabi because his tail began to move slowly side to side, although his yellow eyes remained watchful.
“Jude is right,” she told the animal. “We’ll find you a home on a ranch. You can run and do whatever it is that cattle dogs do.”
A low whine drew Gabi’s attention to the last crate. It held a scruffy dog with longish hair and an even longer body. He stood, pawing at the metal door to the carrier as if saying, Let me out, let me out.
Gabi put her hand to the wire door and the plume of a tail shifted into high gear even as the animal’s tongue snaked out in welcome.
“This one is a real cutie.” Gabi shifted her gaze back to Jude. “What’s his story?”
“Apparently some girl got him from her boyfriend as a gift. The girl moved out of state and the mother didn’t want him.” Jude smiled as the dog’s whole body began to vibrate. “Best guess is he’s a mix between a wire-haired dachshund and a Yorkshire terrier. The volunteer at the shelter called him a dorkie.”
Gabi wrinkled her nose. “Dorkie?”
“Dachshund, Yorkie...dorkie.” Jude chuckled. “His name is Chico, which doesn’t fit, either.”
“You’re right. It sounds more like a Chihuahua or a Mexican hairless.”
At the sound of his name, the dog began to whine again, pressing his scruffy face against the wire.
Jude glanced at his watch. “We best get on the road. Parking can be an issue around the Civic Center.”
When Gabi stepped back, Chico crouched down and began to whimper, his dark eyes pleading.
Impulsively, Gabi opened the cage door. The dog sprang into her arms, slathering her face with doggy kisses. Keeping a firm hold on his wiggling body, Gabi ignored Jude’s amused chuckle and took Chico with her to the front.
After securing the other doors, Jude climbed in behind the wheel. “Do you plan to hold him all the way to Lubbock?”
Chico, now relaxed, lay on his back, eyes closed as she stroked his belly.
“Maybe.” Gabi smiled down at the dog. “I guess that will depend on how he tolerates the ride.”
“He’s liking where he’s at right now,” Jude observed.
Gabi shot him a wink. “If you’re a good boy, I may rub your belly tonight.”
Jude backed the truck out of the driveway and grinned. “This day just keeps getting better.”
* * *
Before their shift was half-over at the Civic Center, Jude and Gabi had a rancher interested in Shug and an older couple in Ernie. Both had filled out the paperwork and set up times on Monday to stop by the shelter.
Jude fully believed they could have found a home for Chico, too, if Gabi hadn’t been so determined to keep him out of sight. After they’d secured homes for Shug and Ernie, he told Gabi they should put Chico out front in the booth, engage people in conversation, let the lovable nature of the “dorkie” shine through.
Shortly after he made his suggestion, Gabi decided to take Chico for a walk. Jude noticed she took off the dog’s red Adopt Me vest before leaving the booth.
She wants him, he thought.
Jude could already picture the little terrier running across the pastures, chasing the cats that’d soon show him who was boss. Though they’d mostly had big dogs growing up, Jude figured he wouldn’t mind a small one. Not if that made Gabi happy.
While she strolled the exhibition hall aisles, picking up small bags of food from pet food distributors and other samples, Jude kept busy. People stoppe
d and added their email addresses to the shelter’s electronic newsletter list. He talked up the fact they were a no-kill shelter and passed out flyers containing pictures and blurbs on the animals back at the shelter eager for a “forever home.”
A forever home. That’s what Jude wanted with Gabi. He thought about all those times he’d been convinced he was in love and realized whatever he’d felt for those women had been but a pale imitation of what he felt for her.
He could be himself with Gabi. There wasn’t anything they couldn’t talk about, anything they couldn’t share, anything they couldn’t work out. The incident with the scars was a perfect example of the level of trust that existed between them.
His jaw tightened as he remembered the flash of fear in her eyes when she slowly lowered the sheet. Someone in the past had made some nasty comment about the scar, he was sure of it. That incident had made her so self-conscious she hadn’t wanted anyone to see it.
Yet, for the first time since they’d met, today she’d worn a shirt that didn’t wrap around her neck. He’d wanted to cheer. He briefly considered making some teasing comment about how good it was to see the scar come out of the closet. After a second’s hesitation, he’d kept his mouth shut. The last thing he wanted was for her to think the scar was the first thing anyone noticed.
No one had said anything to her today, he thought with a smile of satisfaction. He was sure most of them didn’t even notice it. They were too focused on her irresistible smile and her enthusiasm for the animals.
Besides, he meant what he’d said the other night. It was a badge of honor. She’d fought heart disease and won.
“How’s it going?”
Jude jerked his head up and saw Steve at the entrance to the booth. Instead of the jeans he and Gabi had worn, the bank executive wore a brown suit and looked ready to conduct a presentation to his board of directors. “It’s going good. I didn’t expect you so soon.”
Steve ignored the comment and glanced around. “Where’s Gabi?”
“She’s checking out the exhibition area.” As far as Jude was concerned, now that Steve was here, she could take her sweet time returning to the booth. “Until ten minutes ago we were swamped. Traffic is finally beginning to slow down.”
“Did you generate any interest in the animals you brought?” Steve gestured with his head toward the two crates where Ernie and Shug slept.
“We found homes for both of them.” Jude glanced to a manila folder on the counter. “Both prospective owners filled out the paperwork and plan to stop by the shelter tomorrow to complete the adoption process.”
“I thought you were going to bring three.” Steve leaned casually against the table.
“We’ve decided to adopt the dachshund-Yorkie mix,” Jude said without thinking, then watched Steve’s brows rise.
“We?”
“Gabi,” Jude clarified in a matter-of-fact tone. “She wants him. But if her dad gives her grief, I have plenty of room at the ranch for the little guy.”
“Appears things between you and the lovely Ms. Mendoza are heating up,” Steve said with a slow, lazy smile. “My aunt Alma lives down the street from Gabi’s father. She mentioned Gabi has recently started sleeping elsewhere.”
Damn.
He should have thought things through, Jude thought, furious with himself. Horseback Hollow was a small town where neighbors watched out for each other. Of course they’d be keeping an eye on Orlando’s house. Especially considering the man was in Lubbock and his daughter was in an unfamiliar town all alone.
Jude wondered how long it would take for someone to mention the overnight sleepovers to Gabi’s dad.
“O worries about his daughter,” Jude said, his gaze pointed. “I’d hate for him to get wind of anything that might upset him.”
Steve shrugged. “Hey, there are no secrets in a small town.”
“Hi, Steve.” Gabi strolled up with Chico on a leash at her side. “We didn’t expect you until five.”
“It’s a beautiful day.” Steve shot Gabi a speculative glance. “I thought you and Jude might want to enjoy what’s left of it.”
“That’s kind of you.”
“Who’s this little guy?” Steve crouched down, extended a hand to the scruffy dog, which the animal carefully sniffed.
“His name is Chico.” Gabi began to stammer. “I forgot his Adopt Me sweater and came back for it.”
“Wouldn’t putting it on be false advertising?” Steve pulled to his feet.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Jude told me you’re planning to adopt him.”
Gabi’s gaze darted to Jude.
“I said you wanted him,” Jude explained. “If your father doesn’t like the idea of a dog in his home, I’ll take him.”
“You’d do that?”
Jude wished Steve wasn’t there, watching so intently and obviously listening to every word. If they were alone, he’d tell Gabi he’d do anything to make her happy. He settled for a simple, “Of course.”
For a second, Jude thought Gabi was going to fling herself into his arms.
“Hear that, Chico?” Gabi scooped up the dog and hugged him instead. “You’re my boy now.”
“Take him home with you,” Steve urged, waving a magnanimous hand. “You can complete all the paperwork later.”
“It’s official,” Gabi told the dog, who immediately began slathering her with kisses. “I’m your new mama.”
Watching her gentleness with the animal, Jude felt his heart stir. Gabi would make a good mother. Their children would never lack for love.
“I need to swing by the shelter on my way back.” Steve gestured to the crates where Shug and Ernie slept. “I can take these other two with me and drop them off. Have they been out to the pet relief area recently?”
“Less than a half hour ago,” Jude told him. The grassy knoll out back of the exhibition hall had everything a dog could want—grass, trees, bushes and even a fake fire hydrant.
“Good. One more thing.” Steve’s phone beeped. Though he pulled it from his pocket, his eyes never left Gabi. “Our branch manager in Vicker’s Corners told me today she’s accepted a position in Dallas. I’d love to get someone with your credentials for that spot. If you decide to apply, let me know. I’ll fast-track the application.”
Gabi opened her mouth, then closed it and just smiled.
* * *
Gabi kept Chico on her lap during the drive back to Horseback Hollow. Apparently all the excitement of the day had tired him out. The dog slept, cuddled close to her.
Which is where he’d like to be, thought Jude. He liked the feel of Gabi’s body against his, liked having her beside him when he woke in the morning. But for now, the overnight stays would have to end.
The last thing he wanted was for Gabi to be hurt by gossip. If word got back to Orlando that Gabi had been sleeping elsewhere while he was in rehab, there would be hell to pay.
Not that Jude could blame Orlando. If he had a daughter, he’d be protective, too. A sudden image of baby Piper flashed. Would Gabi and his child look like his niece? Or would their son or daughter inherit Gabi’s beautiful brown eyes and thick dark hair?
“I’m not sure what my father is going to think when he hears I’ve brought a dog into his home.”
Jude pulled his thoughts back to the present and slanted a sideways glance. Her hand continued to gently stroke the animal’s wiry fur, and when the dog snorted in sleep, Gabi smiled.
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Jude assured her. “After all, it’s only temporary.”
Temporary, because if Jude had his way, Gabi would soon be his wife. Once they were married, she and Chico would move into the ranch house.
“You’re right.” Her smile vanished. “Once my father comes home, I’ll be back in Miami.”
No, Jude thought, with a hint of panic. There was no reason for her to return to Miami when everything she needed was right here, including him.
“You’ve enjoyed your time in Horseback Hollow,” he reminded her.
“I really have. I’d never been this far west before.” She settled back against the leather seat. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d kept an open mind, but this—” she lifted a hand and swept the air “—was far different than what I imagined.”
He waited for her to continue.
“The people are so friendly. They look you in the eye and smile when they pass you on the street.” Gabi’s voice grew more animated as she continued. “Though everyone dresses nicely, there isn’t the emphasis on appearance and youth that I saw in Miami. At the bank where I work, women who weren’t even forty were visiting cosmetic surgeons, worried about looking ‘old.’”
“Unbelievable” was all he said.
“I know. It’s insane.” For a second she simply stared out the window. “While I love the ocean and the palms, I love the vastness of the terrain here. It will be hard to leave.”
Just hearing her utter the words in such a matter-of-fact tone struck terror in Jude’s heart. But he kept his voice calm. “Your father will miss you.”
She sighed. “I know.”
“My parents always encouraged us to find our own way.” Jude slanted a sideways glance. “But they also showed us that at the end of the day it’s not how much money you have or how big of a home you can afford to build—family is what matters.”
“Do you think that’s why your mother asked you to take on the Fortune name?” Gabi asked. “To show them that she values her connection with them? And, speaking of the Fortunes, has the NTSB determined yet if sabotage was involved in the crash?”
“To answer your first question, I believe the reason she wanted her children to incorporate the Fortune name was to show her acceptance of that connection. In terms of the second, the ruling on the crash is expected any day. But it’s a government agency, so who really knows.” Jude kept his impatience under wraps, wondering how the conversation had shifted from the importance of family and Horseback Hollow to the Fortunes.