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him on the back.
You two look pretty good out there. You and John did a good job with the show,
sis, Wade told her with genuine pride in his voice. "Can t wait until next Saturday.
What s the theme of that show?
The forties music as if you didn t know, Gabby laughed. If you ll excuse me I
need to see John before we leave. Thanks for the dance, she told Reid before hurrying
away.
Did I break something up here? Wade asked innocently. He was well aware of
the growing attraction Reid had for his sister. He hadn t thought that Gabby liked Reid,
until tonight when they d spend so much time dancing. Now he didn t know what to
think. And with Gabby that made it all the more confusing. You never knew what she
would get up to next.
No not at all, Reid lied.
Good. We ll see you Tuesday night for poker at my place, Wade said grinning
as he slapped Reid on the back again.
Reid was aching on the drive back to his ranch and it had nothing to do with
exertion. It had to do with one beautiful pint-sized woman with strawberry blond hair
and big brown eyes. He took a long cold shower before going to bed, but sleep remained
elusive as he relived the feel of Gabby in his arms, the scent of her hair and the warmth of
her smile and laughter.
He ran his hands over his face then got up and took another cold shower. This
time he finally managed to fall asleep with the promise that he would find a way to be
alone with her. It seemed that they were always being interrupted. And he wanted her all
to himself just once. Well, maybe more than once. But it would be a start.
33
Autumn McCullah
CHAPTER 6
The next afternoon Reid had been out checking on some fences and was just
about to head in when he spotted Gabby on Pegasus in the distance. She was headed
towards a crop of trees this side of the river. He patted his horse. Dorado, how would
you like to go meet a very special lady? He moved his horse forward. He would finally
have Gabby all to himself. There wouldn t be anyone out here to get in their way. The
only problem was that he didn t know how the lady would like this chance meeting.
Evidently Gabby had been lost in her own world because she hadn t heard Reid
approach until he was almost next to her. He dismounted, then tied his horse next to
Pegasus. Suddenly her mouth felt dry. He was wearing black jeans, a red long sleeve
shirt, a black vest and black boots. Sierra was right. Reid was one handsome man. She d
been about to sit down on the ground under the pine trees when he arrived. This was her
special place where she could come to think and be alone with only the sky and the sound
of the river and the wind in the trees for company.
I saw you from the ridge, Reid explained indicating the ridge behind him. You
way out here all by yourself?
No, Pegasus is with me, Gabby almost snapped. Reid had not been far from her
thoughts since the dance. Everywhere she looked there seemed to be something that
reminded her of him. Or how it felt being held so close to his warm hard body.
I m surprised that your dad lets you ride this far alone, he said in genuine
concern.
Reid, I grew up here. I know this land as well as dad and my brothers. I
couldn t get lost out here if I tried, she said with a bright smile.
34
Autumn McCullah
Point taken, he conceded. Any fish in that little stream?
Never had any luck here, but further upstream there s a real good spot where the
river curves around a big bolder. What are you doing out here?
I was checking some fences that Cody was concerned about. He was right.
We ll have to go out tomorrow and get them replaced before they go down completely.
It was warm standing in the sun so Reid walked the few feet to the stand of pine trees.
He reclined on the bed of pine needles patting the ground next to him.
Gabby eyed him warily.
Come sit and talk to me?
Why?
Because we don t know that much about each other. Oh, your brothers have told
me some things but I d like to talk with you. Tell me about your childhood& anything.
She was wearing tight jeans, a long sleeve checkered shirt and boots. Her hair was in a
long braid down her back with loose strands caressing her cheeks. Her only makeup was
a touch of lipstick. But she was enchanting with her creamy flawless complexion and
deep brown eyes.
Gabby cautiously walked to his side and sat down on the bed of pine needles.
What about your childhood? Were you raised on a ranch too? When he didn t answer
she looked over her right shoulder. He was looking up at the trees. Then he turned to
look at her and she saw a look of regret? Or longing?
No, he said slowly. I grew up in Los Angeles with summers in New York or
Connecticut. I liked the time we spent in Connecticut best because we were in the
country there, away from the noise and crowds of the city.
Did you and your dad fish there? Dad and Tom brought me up here to fish when
I was about five years old. I caught this little trout but to me it was a monster of a fish.
And I was heartbroken when dad made me put it back. He told me that it was too small
and had to grow up." Gabby smiled at the fond memory.
My father was nothing like T.J. His business was all consuming. And he was a
city boy. He d never had a fishing rod in his hand in his life. I doubt if he had any
interest in fish until they were prepared to perfection on a plate in front of him. I asked
him to take me once. So he had the gardener take me. Even in the country he spent more
time on the phone than he did with us.
Gabby could hear the hurt in his voice. How did you get into ranching?
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