“Do tell.” He leaned forward as if expecting her to tell him a secret.
She leaned in as well, looking into his eyes. They sparkled with amusement. “It’s because the experience is going to be heavenly. And we’re on earth. Hence heaven on earth.”
“Well, that’s one type of heaven we can experience together. Of course, there are others.”
She’d picked up her glass of water to take a sip. Her hand froze halfway to her mouth. What? Had he really said that? He picked up his glass and swallowed some water as if he hadn’t just deliberately shocked her. If he was going to flirt or tease, she’d do the same. Smiling mischievously, she repeated his words. “Do tell.”
His mouth dropped open and she laughed. She’d always had fun with him when they were kids. She was still enjoying herself now although this was a different kind of fun. As she batted her eyes in faux innocence, she wondered just how far she was willing to take things tonight. Would she do more than flirt? That depended on just how well the conversation went.
A waitress stepped up to the table, pen and paper in hand, ready to take their orders. As neither of them had even glanced at the menu, they asked for a few more minutes.
Gabriella perused the menu. There were so many tempting offerings. She glanced at Carson. “What’s good?”
“Besides me?”
“Yes. Besides you.”
“I like the crab cakes. But you might like the seafood crepes.”
“I was totally thinking about getting those.”
The waitress returned and they placed their orders. Once the woman returned with their wine, Carson leaned back in his chair. He looked casual enough, but Gabriella was discovering that she could read the adult version of Carson nearly as well as she’d read him as a kid. There was something on his mind.
“So, Gabriella, the summer will be coming to an end soon,” he began without preamble. “Have you made up your mind about your future? As I recall, when you came here, you said something about needing this time to think and come up with a plan. Have you?”
Chapter Twelve
Carson sipped his wine and tried to maintain a calm facade as he waited for Gabriella to answer. This was the moment he’d been anticipating while simultaneously dreading it. When they’d agreed to have dinner tonight, he’d mentally planned everything down to the last second. He’d pick her up and then they’d listen to the radio on the way to town. They’d discuss inconsequential matters as they enjoyed dinner. After lingering over coffee and dessert they’d stroll around town, ending up at the beach. Then, under the starlit sky, he’d gently steer the conversation around to the future.
That was before he’d seen her in that dress. He’d known that she was sexy—some things couldn’t be camouflaged by jeans and T-shirts. Besides, he’d seen her in a swimsuit. But even that sight hadn’t prepared him for the vision that had nearly knocked him off his feet. It had taken all of his willpower not to sweep her into his arms, carry her upstairs to her bedroom, remove that sexy dress and make love to her.
But that was short-term thinking, and he was playing the long game. He wanted more than one night of passion with Gabriella. Creating a pleasant memory he could pull out on a cold winter night and hug close wasn’t enough. He wanted to build a future with her. After spending time in town, he was starting to believe that people didn’t associate him with his father. When he’d played basketball the other night, his friends had treated him the same as they always had. None of the teens had appeared afraid of him. They’d talked just as much trash to him that night as they had before his father’s crime had become public.
Most importantly, Gabriella and her kids had been made to feel at home. No one treated them poorly because of their association with him, something he’d dreaded. Sophia and Justin had been embraced by the kids and now had a circle of friends. But one question remained, and it would determine whether they could truly have a future. How would Gabriella react when he told her the truth about his father? Sweet Briar was a small town, so he was surprised that nobody had told her yet. But maybe he shouldn’t be. He’d been well liked before, and the people were generally nice. Most of them anyway. Maybe they were giving him the opportunity to tell her in his own time. Or maybe over time his father had simply become old news. Whatever the case, he needed to tell Gabriella. Tonight.
“I’m working some things out,” she said slowly. “I’m starting to see things more clearly.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Maybe.”
The waitress chose that moment to place their food in front of them, interrupting the conversation. Perhaps that was for the best. That way he could get back on schedule. There was a reason he’d wanted to have the more serious conversation after a leisurely dinner. He wanted Gabriella to see how good things could be between them.
Gabriella picked up her fork and cut into a crepe. He watched as she placed the morsel into her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise at the taste and then closed in bliss. She groaned softly, and sudden desire pulsed through his veins. “Wow.”
“I take it that you like it.”
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
Carson took a bite of his own food. It was delicious but, unlike Gabriella, he managed to control his reaction. “Brandon knows his way around the kitchen.”
“That’s an understatement.” She took another bite and sighed. “I think I’m in love.”
Carson knew she was joking, but jealousy sliced through him like a knife. Gabriella was his. Whoa. He’d never been the possessive caveman type. Even when he’d been engaged to Raven, he’d never reacted so viscerally to a joke about another man. Then again, he and Gabriella had a deeper connection than he’d ever had with Raven. Their relationship was built on years of shared experiences and a lifetime of confidences. In a way, she had always been his.
He blew out a breath. “From what I hear, you’re not alone. Sadly for you and the women of this town, there is already a Mrs. Brandon Danielson.”
“Danielson. Is he related to Joni?”
“Yes. He’s her brother.”
“I met her other brother’s fiancée today. She owns the shop where I bought this dress.”
“I’ve met Russell once or twice. He’s a good guy.”
She nodded and continued to eat, making her delight obvious with each bite she took. With each contented sound she made, his desire became stronger. He didn’t know how long he would be able to bear it. Luckily for him, she restarted the conversation. “The town sure has grown a lot. There are so many new families. And new businesses. I know it’s been fifteen years since I’ve been here, and the changes could have happened gradually, but to me the difference is staggering.”
“Is it a good difference or not?”
“Well, the town is obviously more prosperous, so that’s good. It never looked dirty or felt poor, but there is a definite improvement. The streets are cleaner and there are flowers everywhere, which I love. It’s picture-postcard beautiful. It looks like the set of one of those movies that takes place in a small town. It’s almost too good to be real. But it is.”
“Don’t go romanticizing us. We have our problems, just like everywhere else. Sweet Briar isn’t perfect.”
“I know.” She sipped her drink.
“I have the feeling you were going to say that not all of the changes were good. Unless I was reading into your words.”
“No. You’re right. I miss some of the open space. There didn’t used to be that many houses on the road to town. Now there’s an entire subdivision of McMansions. I’m not sure I like that.”
“No? Why not?”
“It just doesn’t feel right.” She shrugged one slender shoulder. “But then, I’m an outsider. I don’t get to say how the town should or shouldn’t develop.”
“Technically, those houses aren’t part of Swe
et Briar. They’re part of the county, if that helps restore your sense of nostalgia.”
“Somewhat.”
“Good.”
“And I have to tell you I miss the rest of Aunt Mildred’s land. Four acres is nothing to sneeze at, but she used to own fifty. I understand why she sold it. And even though I have no right to feel this way, I wish she would have held on to it.”
“Would it make you feel better to know that the new owner is a good guy?”
“Maybe. Do you know him?”
“Yes. She sold the land to Jericho Jones. Do you remember him?”
She shook her head. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“His family originally owned your aunt’s ranch. One of his ancestors sold it to your aunt and uncle. When your aunt put it on the market, Jericho jumped at the opportunity. He’s been buying back pieces of his heritage whenever he can.”
She flashed a small smile. “I guess that does make me feel a little better, knowing that his family had been the original owners. And really, Aunt Mildred couldn’t handle it and I certainly can’t.” Gabriella looked at him. “She offered to sell her house to me if I want it.”
His heart skipped a beat. “What did you say?”
“I told her I needed to think about it.”
“Are you thinking about it?” If she moved closer, they’d have more time to develop their relationship and rid her of whatever doubts she might have. He wouldn’t need to make a rash declaration of feelings in the next few weeks.
“I don’t know. I love it here, but is Sweet Briar the right place for us? Sure the kids like it now, they’re on summer vacation. Would they want to live here year-round? And would it be right for me to rip them away from their father and the rest of their family? Everything that they know?”
“Are you still in love with your ex-husband? Do you hope that he’ll come back to you if you wait long enough? Because I can tell you from experience, that won’t happen. No matter how good or kind or sweet you are to him, he won’t love you back.”
“I’m not still in love with him. But he is the kids’ father, and they deserve the chance to have a relationship with him.”
“What if he doesn’t want one? You can’t force him or sweet-talk him into being a part of their lives if he doesn’t want to be.”
Her shoulders slumped and her eyes filled with sorrow. Guilt pummeled him. This was supposed to be a fun evening designed to discover if the closer relationship he wanted was possible. He’d sure killed the mood with that remark. But he was only being honest. And honesty was important. Gabriella would never be able to move forward if she didn’t accept the truth about the man she’d married.
After they decided to skip dessert, the waitress returned with their bill. Carson barely perused it before adding a tip and handing over his credit card. Neither he nor Gabriella spoke until they were standing outside of the restaurant. Most of the shops had closed so there weren’t many people about. Tension spiked between them, and from the set of Gabriella’s shoulders he could tell she wasn’t as happy as she’d been at the start of the evening. He wanted to get back those easy moments. It would make telling her about his father less difficult. He was determined to tell her the truth tonight. They couldn’t have a future as long as his secret hung between them.
He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. The sparkle was missing. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s okay. You’re right. I just have a hard time believing that Reggie would turn away from his kids permanently. He loved them before. He might have been busy at work, but he always carved time out for them.”
What kind of father carved out time for his kids as if they weren’t an important part of his life? A jerk, that’s who. But Carson wouldn’t tell her that. For a reason that escaped him, Gabriella needed to believe the best of her ex. And who was he to disabuse her of that notion? Reality would take care of that. It always did.
“I thought we could walk along the beach, but if you’re not in the mood, I completely understand.”
She smiled and some of her sadness vanished. “Actually, that sounds wonderful.”
He looked at her sandals before deciding to drive the short distance to the beach. The orange shoes were cute and showed off her delicate feet and painted toenails, but they had four-inch heels. Gabriella’s feet would be begging for mercy before they’d walked two blocks.
Sweet Briar might have changed over the years, but one thing had remained the same. It still had the most beautiful stretch of beach in the entire state. With the stars sparkling in the dark sky, a soft breeze blowing and the sound of waves brushing softly against the sand, it was the ideal setting for a quiet conversation.
About two dozen teenagers were sitting around a small bonfire, toasting marshmallows and singing along as a guy strummed a guitar. Another group of teens played in the water, laughing and splashing each other. Empty pizza boxes leaned against a cooler. By unspoken agreement, Carson and Gabriella skirted the area so as not to disturb the revelry.
After they’d wandered far enough from the party that they couldn’t be overheard, Carson led her to the edge of the water. He’d grabbed a blanket from the car, and now he spread it on the sand for them to sit. They were close enough that the warm water splashed against their bare toes but not close enough to get their clothes wet. They stared at the water for a while watching the moon rise over the horizon.
He took a deep breath. His future rested on these next few minutes. “I have something to tell you.”
She turned to him. “It sounds serious.”
“It is. I should have told you a long time ago, but the time never seemed right.”
“Whatever it is, it can’t be as bad as you imagine.” She reached out and gripped his hand, giving it a tight squeeze. “Just tell me.”
“It’s about my father.”
“What about him?”
He’d barely opened his mouth when he heard a loud voice behind him. “Carson Rivers. I thought I saw you walking along the beach, but I told myself I had to be seeing things. By now you should know better than to show your face in public. Nobody has forgotten what your father did. But maybe this newcomer doesn’t know and you somehow managed to lure her out here.”
Rusty Danvers.
Carson was trying to figure out how to respond when Gabriella hopped to her feet, hands on her hips. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you’re not welcome here. So go away.”
“You’re a stranger in town. I’m just trying to help you.”
Carson had shaken off his stupor by then and was standing, too. He didn’t want Gabriella to defend him. Especially when he wasn’t certain he deserved her defense.
“Did I ask for your help?” Gabriella snapped.
“Gabriella,” Carson began. “Let it go.”
“But...”
“Let it go,” he said more firmly before turning back to Rusty. He would handle this.
A crowd began to gather around them. A few of the people were with Rusty, but not all of them. Apparently, they hadn’t gotten as far away from the teenagers as he’d believed because several of them were running in their direction. He recognized a couple of them as kids he’d played basketball with at the youth center a couple nights ago. A girl was on her phone, giving a blow-by-blow to whomever she was talking to. Great. He was going to be the subject of another round of gossip. Just what he didn’t need. He wouldn’t be able to convince Gabriella that life with him would be good if she got caught up in a whirlwind of trouble.
“Let’s go,” a skinny woman said, tugging on Rusty’s arm.
Rusty snatched his arm away and stumbled. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m trying to be a good citizen.” His words were slurred, and he staggered and pointed at Gabriella. “I’m protecting this woman.”
“What you’re doing is making a f
ool of yourself,” one of the teens said, surprising Carson by speaking up. He recognized him as the older brother of one of Carson’s former riding students and a star player on the Sweet Briar High football team. Carson looked at the other kids. He recognized many of them as also being high school athletes. All of them were imposing.
Rusty looked at the kids and then stopped blustering.
“I appreciate all of you coming to my aid, but it’s not necessary,” Carson said. “He was just leaving.”
Rusty looked at his two friends, who were decidedly less willing to jump into the fray when the numbers were no longer in their favor. Perhaps it was realizing that he was outnumbered or maybe it was seeing two uniformed officers sprinting across the sand, but whatever it was, Rusty thought better of continuing the confrontation. He raised his hands in surrender and took two wobbling steps backward. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
Rusty took a step toward the line of teenagers, who didn’t budge. Rather than try to brush past them, Rusty turned and went back the way he’d come.
The youth watched as if making sure he was truly leaving before they jogged back down the beach to resume their party.
“Is everything okay here?” one of the officers asked when they got near Carson.
“Everything is fine,” Carson said.
“Are you kidding me?” Gabriella said, still outraged on his behalf. He’d forgotten how fiery she could be.
“Gabriella. Let it go.” He appreciated her loyalty, but he didn’t want her to have to defend him. He didn’t want to need defending. But he couldn’t have what he really wanted, which was for his father to have been the man that Carson had always believed him to be. Karl Rivers wasn’t an upstanding citizen. Karl Rivers had been a criminal, and no amount of wishing could change that.
The officer looked from Carson to Gabriella. When she clamped her mouth closed, the officer looked back to Carson. “We received a call that Rusty Danvers was harassing you. If you want to file a complaint now, you can do that. If you’d rather come in later, you can do that, too.”
Redemption on Rivers Ranch Page 17