In just three months, those of you who’ve told me you wanted Gabe’s story will get your shot. In the meantime, though, I thought I’d dole out pieces of Chapter One, a little at a time.
What, you wanted it all at once? *Jodie channels Gabe’s inner sadist* Sorry. You’ll have to deal with the long tease. Because, you know, the longer it gets drawn out, the better it is when it gets here…..
Chapter One
Gabe checked the clock again and frowned. He’d expected Olivia Watterson nearly an hour ago and he was starting to get concerned. What the hell had he been thinking, agreeing to allow a woman a week and a half out of the hospital to stay with him here, at his currently under-renovation bed and breakfast?
The security system beeped and he glanced over at the monitor. A small SUV was just coming up the driveway. He headed outside, wanting to be there to meet his new…what? Guest? Housemate?
He leaned against the porch railing and waited, taking a few seconds to put on his genial host face. Not that it was an act, because he genuinely enjoyed meeting new people and hosting them at his inn, but this was different. Olivia’s story had made the news, and he’d been shaken by it. As a former firefighter, he still had a lot of friends on the line, and the accident that had injured her could’ve happened to any of them. He’d agreed to this as a favor for a mutual friend, and in spite of some reservations he still had, he wanted her to feel welcome here.
She turned off her car. He didn’t think she’d seen him, because she sat for a minute, her head tipped back against the seat, her eyes closed as if she were praying. When a minute turned into two and then into three he grew worried, but as he pushed himself away from the railing, she got out of her car, looking around with interested eyes.
He came down the steps and offered his hand with a practiced smile. “Olivia?”
She smiled back tentatively and placed her smaller hand in his. “You must be Gabe.”
