lips. “Thank you for talking to me, Gabe. That’s what I need. I’ve thought about this a lot. I’m ready to be patient and understanding and a veritable tower of strength—as long as you don’t shut me out.” She sipped her milk, then set the mug down. Holding out her hand toward him, she suggested, “Now, why don’t you take me to bed?”
The band around his chest relaxed, and the corners of his mouth tilted up. “A bed? Really? With a mattress and everything?”
“With a mattress and everything.”
He took hold of her hand. “Your room or mine?”
“Doesn’t matter.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “Pick one, and let’s make it ours.”
If not for the lingering soreness in her leg, Nic would have skipped down the street as she made her way to Sarah’s house to put the final touches on plans for Lori’s upcoming birthday party. Life was good. In the week since Pam showed up at the clinic, Gabe had spent every night in her bed and burrowed his way deeper into her heart.
Today he’d come by the house for lunch and brought her flowers.
Ali Timberlake pulled up in front of Sarah’s house as Nic turned the corner of Sixth and Aspen. Ali was in town visiting her son, Chase, who was working at the Double R, and Sarah had invited her to stop by and share the scoop on what was all the rage in the way of teenage birthday parties in Denver this year. Nic clucked her tongue at the sight of Ali’s little red BMW convertible. That was one gorgeous car.
“And one happy woman,” she murmured, watching curiously as Ali ended a phone call then threw her arms into the air and cheered. She climbed out of her car, danced a little jig, then waved at Nic. “Good morning!”
“It appears so. You look like a happy camper.”
“I am. My husband, Mac, just called. He’s been offered a federal judgeship. It’s been his dream for as long as I’ve known him.”
“That’s wonderful news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’m so proud of him. Proud for him.” She beamed a smile at Nic, then added, “Don’t you look cute today. Love your shirt. That twist front is chic. I wish they’d had maternity tops that stylish when I needed them.”
“Thanks.” Nic rested a hand on the bump that these days seemed to be growing by the hour. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to wear it, though. This empire waist is British Empire–size. The rate I’m going, I’ll need it to be galactic empire–size.”
Ali laughed. “Before I forget, I stopped to visit with Celeste for a few minutes and Gabe flagged me down on the way out. He asked me to ask you to swing by Angel’s Rest on your way home and pick up the boxer. Apparently he’s too curious about the rock work being done by the hot springs, and he’s making a pest of himself with the workers.”
“Oh, now. That’s a big fat lie. What’s probably happening is that there’s a dog lover or two in the group and they’re spending too much time in Gabe’s estimation playing with Tiger.”
Ali grinned and nodded. “You might be right. Celeste did say that Gabe has been spending most of his time down by the hot springs. I know dogs are loyal creatures, but I have to say that Tiger is the most dedicated dog I’ve ever seen. Especially to someone who goes out of his way to pretend he’s not the dog’s master.”
“You see that, do you? Gabe rescued Tiger from a trap last fall and the dog has been his shadow ever since. Gabe loves Tiger, but he refuses to admit it.”
“What’s the deal with his name?” Ali asked as they stepped up onto Sarah’s front porch. “When someone asks what his name is, Gabe says he doesn’t have one.”
Nic rolled her eyes. “What can I say? My husband is a stubborn fool.”
She rapped on Sarah’s door, then, in the way of the casual habits of old friends, opened the door and stepped inside. “Sarah? Ali and I are here.”
Sarah called down from upstairs. “I’ll be down in a minute. Make yourselves at home.”
Nic inspected the treats in the kitchen with interest and was delighted to spy not only her favorite brownies but lemon bars as well. Lemon bars now had a special place in Nic’s heart.
“Would you like coffee?” she asked Ali. “Sarah always has a pitcher of iced tea in her fridge, too. Let’s see