"Good day," he said and touched the front brim of his hat.
"Hello to you," she replied matching the brightness in his voice.
Gabe halted. He ran his gaze down the length of her petite frame. He paused a moment, clear approval written across his features. "Might I say you're looking fine today."
Heat flamed on her cheeks. Gabe knew just what to say to draw a reaction from her. "I'm not going to stop you," she replied lifting her chin and smiling. "You can say what you like." Lifting a brow she added: "Within reason, of course."
Gabe grinned. His mood was in stark contrast to when he'd left her yesterday. She wanted to ask him if he'd cleared up the mystery of Kyle's disappearance. However, she didn't want to spoil the good feeling between herself and Gabe. Moments like this were worth savoring, she told herself. They gave her hope.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
Gabe lifted a brow and gazed at her for an even longer moment. "You," he murmured.
Her brows shot up. "What do you want with me?" She told herself she could probably guess the answer to that question. She just wanted to hear it from his own lips.
He shrugged. "I didn't think I needed a reason to call on you."
Lauren thrust a hand against her hip and tilted her head. "What exactly are you up to, Gabriel Baxter?"
Gabe edged closer. She could see serious purpose in his steady gaze. But also a barely disguised good humor. She liked seeing Gabe in a good mood. "I was thinking about that date we discussed."
"Date?"
Gabe nodded. "How would you like to come into town with me?"
"Now?" she asked.
He smiled. "Unless you're doing something more interesting than spending time with an old friend."
Friend? She narrowed her eyes. He was teasing her. Testing her all over again. Trying to find out where the boundaries lay between them. She acted as if she was considering his suggestion. Anything to make him wait a few moments. Then she nodded. "Okay. Give me some time to get ready." It hadn't been a difficult decision to make. Right now, she'd gladly spend the rest of the day with Gabe.
His brows furrowed. "How much time do you need?"
She thrust her other hand against her hips and scowled good-naturedly at him. "You've still got plenty to learn about a woman's ways, Gabriel Baxter," she retorted.
His brows lifted and he flicked up the front of his Stetson. "I stand corrected," he declared. "I'll wait out here," he added. Glancing up at the blue sky, he sighed appreciatively. "It sure is a beautiful day." He gave her another appreciative look. "And I do believe it's about to get even better."
Lauren's cheeks flushed pink. She pouted at him. Gabe lifted a brow, apparently believing he'd embarrassed her. Well, he had. But she wasn't going to stop him giving her compliments. Then she turned, heading for the door to the ranch house. It took her a half hour to change into her green gown and matching bonnet. As she was finishing getting ready she glanced out the window of her room. Victoria was with Gabe, talking over by the corral. Their expressions hinted that the talk was about something serious. Lauren wondered if they were discussing Kyle. She checked herself in the mirror and then hurried downstairs. Out in the yard, Gabe and Victoria saw Lauren emerge from the ranch house. They came over to her. Brother and sister were smiling now. Lauren considered asking about Kyle, but figured later might be a better time.
While Lauren had been in the house, a carriage had been brought. Her and Gabe said goodbye to Victoria, got settled in the carriage and then headed off on the trail into town.
Gabe smiled at Lauren and glanced at her gown. "That color suits you," he observed. "Did you make that yourself?"
Lauren shifted on the carriage seat, tugging gently at the edge of the gown. "I made it last year."
"It's real pretty," he said. Lifting his brow mischievously he added: "A perfect compliment to the most beautiful woman in Montana."
This time Lauren's face flushed red-hot. She turned to Gabe. "I know you're trying to be nice, and I'm not complaining," she said. Furrowing her brows, she added: "But a gal can only take so much of these kind of words, Gabe," she said.
"What's wrong with compliments?" he objected. He didn't look annoyed, simply surprised that she would want to stop him saying such sweet words to her. Of course she didn't want to stop him. Secretly, she loved every single word he'd said to her since arriving at the ranch. "Besides," he continued. "Every one of them comes from the heart."
Now he was being sincere, she told herself. No longer was he teasing her. She wondered why he was being so pleasant to her. Making such an effort. Of course, there could be only one answer to that, she told herself. A thought drifted into her mind, but she instantly pushed it away. Recalling how he'd acted toward her at the Baxter ranch, she wondered if Gabe had something else on his mind today, other than a visit to the finest cafe in Inspiration.
Arriving in town, Gabe parked the carriage in front of the cafe. He leaped off his side of the seat and raced around the carriage. Lauren smiled as she watched him. Reaching her side, he extended a hand. She laid her hand in his and stepped down from the carriage seat. An elderly couple, walking past the cafe, arm in arm, looked at Lauren and Gabe and leaned their heads closer, exchanging words Lauren couldn't hear. The rumor mill in town would be full of talk of her and Gabe. Right now, as she hooked her hand inside the arm Gabe offered her, Lauren didn't mind what folks would say about her and Gabe.
Entering the cafe, the little bell tinkled above the door. Lauren stepped inside and froze, lifting a hand to her mouth. Gasping, she looked, wide-eyed at Gabe's smiling face. Running her gaze around the interior of the cafe, she felt her heart swell with emotion. She and Gabe were the only customers in the small, wood-paneled room. And it was clear from the instant she'd walked into the cafe that Gabe had arranged something special.
Every one of the twelve tables was empty, except for one over by the window which looked out on the boardwalk. And, over by that table, Lauren saw multi-colored displays of flowers which had been arranged around the table and around the window. The sweet scent of the flowers filled the room. And, she couldn't help noticing that there was only one table set for two people. Every other table had no places set.
Gabe smiled at Lauren. "I reserved the cafe just for us, today," he explained.
Before she had a chance to reply, the door to the back of the cafe opened. The owner, who Lauren had heard Grace mention, a certain Mrs McLaren, who'd taken over the running of the cafe last year from its former owner, came out of the kitchen. The stout, silver-haired woman had bright red cheeks and was smiling broadly. She wore an apron over a gray gown. Wiping her hands, she exclaimed in a broad Scottish accent: "You've arrived at last." Gesturing to the table by the window, Mrs McLaren came to Lauren and Gabe. "Everything is ready. I've followed Mr Baxter's instructions and prepared a fine lunch for the both of you."
Lauren squinted at Gabe. He'd requested the menu? Gabe shrugged and led Lauren to the table. He held the back of the chair while she sat down. Glancing up at Gabe while he lingered, she saw him pause longer than was absolutely necessary. She smiled at him and saw delight in his eyes. Mrs McLaren fussed with the cutlery which had already been set out on the white tablecloth. Lauren couldn't help noticing the way Mrs McLaren glanced at her and Gabe. The cafe owner seemed excited at the prospect of providing whatever it was Gabe had requested. There was probably more to it than that, Lauren reflected. Did Mrs McLaren think there was more to Lauren and Gabe sharing a special lunch than just mere friendship?
Gabe took his place opposite Lauren. Mrs McLaren hurried across to the cafe's door and flipped the sign so that it said "closed". Then she scurried off to the kitchen. When they were finally alone, Lauren leaned toward Gabe. "Did you arrange for us to be the only ones here?" she asked.
Gabe tilted his head. "I figured after the other day, when we had to cancel, it might be a good idea to have the place all to ourselves."
Leaning back against the chair, Lauren tol
d herself there might be more to Gabe's decision than just wanting to make up for any disappointment she might have felt. For a start, why would he want privacy? What did he have in mind for this quiet lunch for two?
As if sensing her unease, Gabe plucked a flower from the display at the window. He offered it to her. She took it. It was yellow and smelled sweet. Lauren smiled across at Gabe. "Thank you," she said softly. Running her gaze around the cafe's interior, she asked: "You did all this for me?"
Gabe looked instantly serious. "Nothing's too much for you, Lauren," he murmured. There was an intensity in his voice, the same tone she'd heard when they'd been out at the ridge on the Baxter spread.
For a long, thoughtful moment, she held Gabe's gaze and then, feeling emotion moisten her eyes, she turned her head and cleared her throat. "It must have taken some work to persuade Mrs McLaren to close the cafe for lunchtime."
Gabe shook his head. "She and I are good friends. She and our housekeeper, Lily, have known each other for a long time." He leaned back on his chair, draping one arm over the corner. "And she knows how much I wanted this to be just a cozy lunch for you and I."
"How much does she know?" Lauren asked.
"About what?" Gabe replied, suddenly defensive.
Lauren lifted a brow. "About you and I."
"Oh, that," Gabe said, acting as if he hadn't known what she'd meant all along. He waved a hand casually. "I told her we were old friends. That was all."
"Were?" she retorted.
He leaned his elbows quickly on the table. Judging by the hesitant look in his eyes he was well aware that he'd just dug a hole for himself. "I mean, we are good friends," he said. He lifted a brow. "That is the case, isn't it?" he asked.
Not wishing to let him off the hook quite so easily, she shrugged and turned her mouth down thoughtfully. "If you say so," she replied.
Gabe's brows furrowed. "And what do you say?" he asked abruptly. "Haven't we been good together? Everyone else seems to think so."
Lauren eyed Gabe carefully. "Who exactly is talking about us?"
"You've seen the way Victoria and Grace have been looking at us, every time we're together," he replied. "And your pa doesn't seem to disapprove."
She thought about that time she'd seen her father and Gabe talking over at the Baxter ranch. What exactly had they been agreeing when they'd shaken hands? "You know my father didn't like what you did, last year, when we were leaving Inspiration."
Gabe sighed and shook his head. "I told you what happened there. It was a misunderstanding." He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table. "I got held up at the ranch." Gabe frowned. "In any case, I apologized for doing that."
Lauren frowned. Seeing how upset Gabe still was about that, she told herself it would do no good to spoil the day by talking about the past. The present was too good to go doing something like that.
For the next hour Mrs McLaren brought one exquisite dish after the other. Lauren and Gabe kept the talk to pleasant subjects. The time passed quickly and, as she finished her plate of apple pie, Lauren told herself that Gabe had had a wonderful idea. The last hour had been just about perfect.
Mrs McLaren brought coffee in a lovely silver pot. As Lauren started to pour the coffee for Gabe, she glanced at him. A seriousness had settled across Gabe's features. Gone was the bright expression he'd maintained during the meal. As she lifted her cup to her lips, she examined Gabe. If she wasn't mistaken, Gabe looked suddenly and inexplicably nervous.
Gabe swallowed and then cleared his throat. Lauren focused her attention on her coffee. She saw Gabe straighten himself, lifting his shoulders. He was preparing himself, she reflected. Gabe looked as if he had something important to tell her. Or ask her.
Lauren laid the coffee cup down. Butterflies started tumbling in her middle. Nerves flared into life. Her mind became a sudden blank. Thinking about what he might be preparing to ask her, Lauren could only draw in a deep breath. She tried to compose herself, but it wasn't easy. Not with Gabe leaning forward and looking at her with obvious intent in his very earnest gaze.
"Lauren," Gabe said, his voice cracking slightly.
"Yes, Gabe?" she replied. Thankfully her own voice sounded composed. At least that was what she told herself.
Gabe drew in a deep breath and peered at Lauren. "You know how much the last few days have meant to me. How much I've enjoyed being with you."
"I've enjoyed our time, too, Gabe," she replied, realizing she sounded suddenly defensive. "I never expected this when my father told me we'd be coming back for a visit."
Seizing on her words, Gabe lowered his gaze. "Your father said he might have changed his mind about going to California."
Lauren nodded. "He told me. Seems like he's taken to Inspiration and to the Munro ranch. The other day, I even caught him reading a book about ranching."
Gabe smiled weakly. His eyes shifted, as if he was weighing up his next words. "The thing is, Lauren. I've been thinking about you and me. About how close we've gotten. And I've come to believe something very important."
"You have?" she asked, feeling her nerves twist even harder.
Gabe nodded. "But first, there is one other thing I need to tell you." He frowned. "Something I've waited too long to say."
Lauren felt heat flush across her cheeks. He was going to ask her a question which would change everything, she told herself. She didn't know if she was ready for this. Hadn't really thought about it carefully enough. Even though, after that visit to the Baxter ranch, she should have known that Gabe would do this.
"It's about my family," Gabe said next. Lauren frowned. That hadn't been what she had expected him to say. Gabe continued: "And the time has come for you to know something really important. I just need for you to understand why I couldn't tell you earlier."
Now she was confused. She narrowed her eyes. Gabe had taken the conversation in a direction she hadn't expected. Her heartbeat quickened. "Tell me, Gabe."
Gabe nodded and then glanced out the cafe window. She saw his shoulders tighten. She followed his gaze and saw Gabe's brother, Landon. He was standing on the boardwalk, looking straight at Gabe. Lauren heard Gabe groan. Then she saw Landon gesture that he wanted Gabe to come outside.
Gabe's jaw tightened and he leaned back in his chair. A loud breath eased out of him, as if all the tension in his body had vanished in an instant. Gabe stared across at Lauren. He looked frustrated and crestfallen. "Can you excuse me a moment? I think my brother wants to say something to me."
"Sure," she replied.
Gabe stood and headed for the door. Before he got there, it flew open and Landon strode into the cafe. "There's been a robbery, Gabe," Landon blurted out.
"Where?" Gabe asked.
Landon looked across at Lauren. He nodded. "Lauren. Sorry to interrupt," Landon said.
Gabe didn't look too impressed with Landon's apology. "Who got robbed, Landon?"
"Us," Landon said.
Gabe stared incredulously at Landon. "What got taken?"
"Horses. Two of them."
Gabe sighed. "Ours isn't the first ranch to be hit," he said.
"We better tell the sheriff," Landon suggested.
Gabe looked suddenly uneasy and frustrated. He glanced at Lauren, a pleading expression in his eyes. Lauren smiled at Gabe. "It's fine, Gabe," she said, rising from her chair. "You go and deal with that."
"I'll take you back to the ranch, first," Gabe offered.
Lauren shook her head. "I can make my own way back to the ranch. I'll take the carriage myself."
The Rancher’s Reunion Bride Page 16