The Lucky in Love Collection - Lauren Blakely Page 0,35
that’s hella sexy.
I’m tempted to squeeze his bicep, to run a hand lightly through his hair, something, anything. Instead, I keep my hands to myself and use my words. “You’re pretty damn sharp, Harrison, so I’d say both the brain and body workouts are doing the trick.”
“Thank you.” He gives me a quick glance out of the corner of his eye. “Same to you.”
Tingles swoop down my body from the compliment, and we’re quiet for a moment as I stare out the window, savoring the delicious view of curving hills and winding roads that bend through the towns I love.
As if he can read my mind, he says, “We live in a beautiful place.”
I sigh contentedly. “The only time I’ve lived elsewhere was college in Berkeley, and though I loved it, I’m so glad I moved back.”
“I’m glad my parents retired here when my pops settled here after Nana passed. Gave me an excuse to move away from the city.”
“I’m glad you moved here too, even though it’s sad that that’s the reason.”
He tips his forehead to a sign up ahead. “Welcome to Petaluma. Now, why don’t they say, ‘Welcome to Petaluma, home to a fantastic taqueria, the closest Target, and one helluva sex shop’?”
“You’d think the chamber of commerce would be all over that.” I gaze at the sign, but a gray mass on the side of the road snags my attention.
No! There’s an animal on the shoulder. I jerk out my hand. “Gabe! Look!”
He slows down then pulls over. We get out and walk around, and I gasp when I see an owl on the edge of the gravel, exactly where an owl shouldn’t be. “Is he okay?”
“I’m not sure.” Gabe bends to one knee, taking a look at the creature, which is sitting up but not trying to fly away. “I’m no vet, but I’m betting he has an injured wing.”
“Should we take him to Wild Care?” I ask, urgency coloring my tone.
“Definitely. But we need to be careful how we move him. You stay next to the little guy.”
I do as instructed, kneeling next to the small bird with a spotted brown coat. “You’re going to be okay, little buddy,” I tell him, though tears prick my voice. I don’t know what to do for him, but as I peer back at Gabe, who’s grabbing a blanket from the bed of the truck, he seems to know exactly how to help.
He rejoins me on the gravel. Gently, with steady hands, he slides the hurt bird onto the blanket. Gabe is the picture of cool calm. “Go sit in the cab and put your seat belt on. You need to hold this little guy.”
My heart speeds even faster. I do as he says, buckling in. A few seconds later, he carefully lifts the bird in the blanket then sets him on my lap. The animal wiggles a bit. “Just keep him here, nice and safe, okay? If he tries to wriggle out, put the blanket over him, since they like darkness.”
“I can do that.” My voice is as jumpy as my skittering pulse.
Gabe slides back in and starts the engine. The hair on my arms stands on end as I stare at the hedgehog-size creature with frightened yellow eyes. He’s settled down a little.
“It’s instinct for you, isn’t it?” I ask.
He glances over at me as he navigates back on the road. “What do you mean?”
I nod to the owl. “This is why you do what you do. You’re naturally good at helping.”
“Maybe,” he says quietly.
“It’s not a maybe, Gabe. You knew exactly what to do with this owl. Did you always want to be a fireman? Well, besides being a pitcher?”
“What kid doesn’t?”
“But what made it serious for you?”
His expression turns somber. “My nana had a heart condition. She didn’t realize it till one night when I was staying with them when I was younger. My pops called 911, and the firefighters were the first ones there. I still remember how unruffled and helpful they were.”
“Were you scared?”
“I honestly wasn’t, because of those guys. I watched them closely, and paid attention to what they did. They were calm and reassuring, and any time she had any trouble, that’s exactly how I tried to be with her—calm and reassuring.”
My throat tightens. “Like how you were with Hedwig,” I say, glancing at the owl. "Even though Hedwig is a girl in Harry Potter, and I think this owl is a boy. But I’m honestly not sure, since I’m