Here Comes the Bride (24 page)

Tess’s senses returned one by one. The first thing she felt was the warmth of his skin where her face was pressed against him. She savored it for a long moment before letting anything else intrude. Next she inhaled his scent, the all-Gabriel scent of leather and sunshine. What was that sound? Was Gabriel humming? Tess’s eyes flew open—he was humming! She glanced around quickly, trying to get her bearings, but it only took a moment to realize where she was.

El Cielo. He was supposed to have taken her home but he brought her here instead.

“How are you feeling?” His voice startled her, making her jump. Huge, warm hands soothed her back down, easing her head back to his shoulder. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I . . . I . . .”

“You were sleeping.”

“Yes,” she answered, more than a little embarrassed.

“That’s good,” he said softly. “It’s what you needed.”

“How did you know I was awake?” she asked, still tucked up against his bare chest.

Gabe chuckled, low and throaty. “Your eyelashes.”

“My what?” She made to pull away again, but he held her close.

“Your eyelashes brush against my neck when you blink,” he said.

Tess gulped. “Oh, sorry.”

“Why? I’m not.”

Gabriel actually sounded happy; something must be wrong. Surely it wasn’t her he was happy with.

“Why are we here?” she asked, then suddenly realized exactly where they were, “And why are we sitting on your horse?”

“I told you I was going to take you home,” he said. “And you were asleep, so we were just resting here until you woke up.”

Tess’s eyes darted around the bit of yard she could see. “How long have we been sitting here?” she asked.

She felt Gabe shrug. “Dunno, about half an hour, I guess.”

“What?” This time she did pull away from him and sat up. “We’ve been sitting here in the yard for half an hour?”

Gabe’s eyes twinkled merrily. “Yup.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You were sleeping.”

“Yes, I know, but you could have woken me, for goodness’ sake. People must think we’re as crazy as a couple of loons sitting here like this.”

“Who cares what people think? You’ve had a . . . trying . . . morning, you were tired and so I let you sleep.”

Tess couldn’t for the life of her decipher what that grin meant. She’d never seen him behave so oddly before and, quite frankly, she was more than just a little concerned.

“Well, I’m awake now. Perhaps we should get down.”

Gabe shrugged again. “If you want. No hurry.”

Tess eyed him carefully. Something wasn’t quite right, something he obviously wasn’t about to share with her just yet.

“Is Collette still here?” she asked, none too eager to leave the confines of Gabe’s arms.

“She’s in the house with Bart.” Gabe’s brows drew together in a frown. “Is there something going on there I don’t know about? Something between her and my brother?”

Tess couldn’t hide her own smile this time. “I hope so,” she breathed.

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” he blurted. “She’s a Langman, you know?”

“Oh, who cares? She loves Bart, and as for him, well, I’ve never seen a man quite so taken with a woman before.”

Tess cringed. She hadn’t meant to insinuate anything by the remark, but Gabe was sure to think she had. When she finally worked up the courage to look up at him, he was looking right back at her with the silliest grin spread across his face.

“So Bart’s in love with a Langman, is he?” he said, shaking his head. “I wager he’s in for a world of trouble.”

“And I’ll wager he already knows that. But love does strange things to people, Gabriel. It gives them a strength they never knew they had, and yet scares the bejeepers out of them all at the same time.”

Gabe’s grin widened even more. “Is that so?” he said. “Interesting.”

The shine in Gabe’s eyes never wavered for a moment and, in fact, seemed to grow stronger the longer he looked at her. With every last ounce of willpower, Tess finally dragged her gaze away from his, only to look straight into his still bare chest.

“Oh, dear Lord,” she gasped. “Perhaps you should . . . oh, I have it, don’t I?”

Her trembling fingers found the buttonhole at her neck and began to free the buttons of Gabe’s shirt.

“Hold on there.” He chuckled. “As tempting as it is to have you take it off, I think my shirt should stay right where it is for now. Your dress isn’t exactly in the best of condition.”

“Oh! I wasn’t even thinking.” Her eyes remained transfixed on his skin. It was as though she were in a trance, unable to blink or even think. Her hand moved of its own accord, reaching for him, pressing against the expanse of his muscled body. The minute her fingers touched him, lightning surged up her arm, scorching her through to her soul. Her arm jerked, but her hand remained where it was as if permanently fixed there. She tried to lift it off, but it would not move.

Gabe raised his own hand slowly and covered hers with it. A tiny gasp escaped Tess’s throat.

“Oh,” she sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean . . .”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said again, the same shine glowing in his gray eyes. “I’m not.”

Tess’s mortification glowed fire red against her cheeks. What was the matter with her anyway?

“I-I don’t know what I was thinking,” she stammered, her chin dropping to her chest.

“Don’t worry about it.” His voice was so close Tess thought she should be able to physically touch it. “Come on, Collette’s probably about ready to send out the cavalry looking for you.”

He slid down from the saddle, easing Tess down after him, and lifted her chin with the crook of his finger.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” he said. “Nothing that happened today was your fault. Not with Gribbs and not now.”

“But I . . .” Tess flushed even more.

“Shh.” Gabe touched his finger to her mouth. “
Nothing
was your fault.”

Tess shivered against the warmth of his finger. If she’d had even an ounce of strength left, she would have been able to suppress the soft groan that escaped her lips.

“Come on,” he urged gently, giving her hand a soft squeeze. “Let’s go in. Are you okay to walk?”

“Yes,” she squeaked, her humiliation growing with every second he looked at her that way. It wasn’t quite a mocking grin, but it definitely had something behind it.

She hurried up the stairs ahead of him and let herself in through the kitchen.

“Tess!” Collette nearly flew across the kitchen at her. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” Tess smiled softly, glancing at Bart. “Thanks to those Calloway boys.”

“Bart’s been telling me about that awful man Eli Gribbs. How horrible! Why didn’t you tell me any of this before, Tess?”

Tess sighed. “I think I was about to when all of this happened. It’s over now, though, so can we please just put it behind us?”

Collette nodded and reached for the coffeepot.

“Rosa made us a fresh pot, although it has been sitting for a while.” She hesitated a moment, then fought to stifle a giggle. “I didn’t think you two were ever going to come in the house.”

Tess flushed again. “I was sleeping,” she said guiltily, “and Gabriel . . .”

Collette nudged her gently and whispered, “It wasn’t sleep I witnessed, Tess, so don’t be trying to fool me.”

“Oh dear.” Tess slumped into the nearest chair, her forehead falling onto the table in front of her. “I’m so embarrassed. I . . .”

Collette patted her shoulder softly. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Tess. I know exactly how you feel.”

Tess sat back up and accepted the strong brew. Gabe had not come into the house but stood in the kitchen doorway, his eyes never leaving Tess.

“I better go tell Rosa we’re back,” he said quietly. “Bart, you coming?”

“What for? I’m havin’ some coffee.”

“Bart.” All three of them turned at Gabe’s voice. There was a quiet insistence in it that had Bart on his feet and headed toward the door in a flash.

Letting Bart out ahead of him, Gabe nodded and smiled at the women. “Be right back.”

They watched him go in silence, then Collette took the chair across from Tess.

“What was that all about?” she asked. “With Gabe, I mean?”

Tess shrugged wearily. “I have no idea, Collette. He’s been acting very strange and I haven’t a clue what to make of it.”

“What do you mean?”

Tess took a long drink of coffee. “He was humming.”

“Gabe?” Collette choked. “Humming?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “And that’s not all. He’s been smiling, too—a strange sort of smile I can’t even begin to decipher.”

“Strange,” Collette agreed over her mug. “Very strange, indeed. But tell me truthfully: Did that horrible animal hurt you?”

“No, not really,” Tess said. “He certainly scared me, I’ll say that much for him, and if it weren’t for Gabriel and Bart, there’s no telling what he would have done, but it’s over now. I just want to forget about it.”

“Oh, Tess, it’s so awful. I was so frightened, I didn’t think I’d make it back here in time. I kept tripping on my silly skirt and screaming like a crazy woman until Gabe came running up the road to see what was going on.”

“Thank you, Collette.” Tess took her friend’s hands in hers. “If you hadn’t made it back here when you did, I’m afraid . . .” Her throat closed and her eyes burned. “Thank you.”

“You’re like the sister I never had,” Collette answered, her huge blue eyes glistening with tears. “I want us to stay that way forever.”

“And we will,” Tess assured her, “if I have anything to say about it.”

 

 

Despite having a head start, Bart had to hurry to keep up with Gabe.

“What’s so goldarned important I had to leave a perfectly good cup a’ joe?” he asked.

Gabe didn’t turn to look at him or even miss a stride. “I’m going to marry Tess.”

He pulled a clean shirt from the line as he walked and shrugged into it.

“You’re what?” Bart grabbed his brother by the arm and whirled him back around, nearly colliding with him in the process.

Gabe stopped, laughed out loud, and shrugged. “I’m gonna marry her, Bart.”

“But . . . what? When?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet,” he said. “But when I do, you’ll be the second to know.”

“What the hell d’ya mean second? Who’s first?”

“Tess, of course.” He started toward Rosa’s cabin again.

“Gabe!” Bart shouted. “Would you stop for just a flippin’ second? You mean she doesn’t know? You haven’t asked her?”

“You ask enough questions for the both of us.” Gabe laughed, never slowing his pace. “And, no, she doesn’t know yet, so I’d be thankful for you not saying anything yet. To anyone.”

“I don’t know what the hell you’re goin’ on about, brother. You can’t marry a girl ’less you ask her first you know. That’s the way it’s done. ’Sides, what are ya waitin’ for? Why not just ask ’er?”

“I’ve got a plan, Bart, that’s why.” He pushed through the gate to the cabin and marched on ahead.

“This I’ve gotta hear,” Bart mumbled, hustling behind him.

“Rosa!” Gabe called, banging on the front door. “Rosa, you here?”

“Si,” the woman’s voice called back through the door. “Come.”

Rosa was in the kitchen, as usual, baking Miguel’s favorite cherry pie.

“Ah, Gabe Calloway,” she half smiled. “La niña?”

“She’s fine,” he answered quickly. “Listen, I need your help with something, and we have to be able to get it all figured out in a few days. Can you help me?”

“Si.”

“He’s gettin’ married!” Bart burst out. “Can you believe that shit, Rosa?
Gabe
is gettin’ married. Or he hopes he is anyway.”

“Jeez, Bart! Just can’t keep that damned mouth shut, can you?”

“What you talk ’bout?” Rosa asked, her fingers resting on the pastry. “Who Gabe Calloway marry?”

Gabe’s face-wide grin returned. “I’m hoping to marry Tess, but I’m going to need your help.”

“What you mean—hope? What that?” She rubbed her hands across her apron and crossed the room, eyeing him suspiciously the entire time.

“Okay,” he sighed. “Here’s the thing. I want to marry her but I haven’t asked yet because, well, I just realized it today, and after what happened this morning it doesn’t seem like quite the right time, if you know what I mean. But before I ask her, I want to do some changes around here—make it more lady friendly.”

Rosa’s face positively glowed. “Gabe Calloway marry Tess Kinley? La niña?”

Gabe nodded, proud as a peacock.

“He thinks he’s gonna anyway,” Bart snickered. “I think he’s puttin’ the cart before the horse myself. How d’you know she even wants you anymore? You ain’t exactly been eager for her attention lately.”

“I know, I know, but it’s going to happen, Bart. Mark my words.”

“What you need?” Rosa asked. “I do.”

The three of them sat down in the tiny living room area as Gabe spilled forth his plan.

“What I want to do is get that fancy tub ol’ Harvey has in his store and put it inside the house.”

“Where?” Bart chuckled. “In the kitchen?”

Gabe shook his head. “That’s where you come in, Bart. I need a room added on to the house. Big enough for the tub and whatever else I can think to put in there.”

“A new room? In a few days?”

“Yeah.” Gabe nodded. “It’s not like you have a job or anything to get to. You’ve got lots of time and we’ve got plenty of lumber, so that’s not a problem.”

“Well, actually,” Bart began, “I, um . . .”

“What?”

“Ferget it.” He grinned with a shrug. “Ain’t important.”

“And, Rosa,” Gabe continued, “I need some girly stuff—like lacy things, you know. Got any ideas?”