mad at me?”
The ride in the pasture helped calm her nerves, but it hadn’t erased her memory. “That depends. Are you going to tell your dad about Jenna’s offer?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
She resisted the urge to swipe the annoying locks from his forehead, not quite ready to give up her fight. “I think it’s a mistake if you do.”
“If I don’t, she will,” he said. “Seems to me an announcement like that would be better coming from his son.”
“Or not . . . considering your history with your dad.”
At her comment, Gil ducked his chin as though she’d hit him.
Mattie’s irritation wavered. “I know you’re trying to work things out, but still — ”
“He’s likely to get mad and give himself a genuine heart attack. Is that what you’re afraid of?”
That was exactly her fear. “I’ve seen the way you two fight. His temper shoots through the roof, and yours goes haywire. You can’t blame me for worrying.”
“I’ll try to control myself. Maybe I’ll call a nurse in to keep the peace.” He grinned and her armor cracked enough to let a smile through.
She didn’t try to force it down. “A lot of good that would do. You think he’s scared of a little ol’ nurse?”
“You haven’t seen the nurses in this place.”
Mattie uncrossed her arms. “I still don’t like it. You should at least wait until he’s home — not cooped up in that hospital room where he feels all helpless and trapped.”
“Afraid of what he’ll say?”
“More afraid of what you’ll talk him into.” Mattie’s smile faded at the thought. For John to give up the ranch at this time in his life might kill him, and it would certainly break her heart.
Gil slid his hands around her waist, and his touch thawed her defenses. “I’m not going to try and talk him into anything. I’ll simply tell him the truth — that an offer’s been made on the ranch. We’ll see what happens from there.” He crouched to her eye level.
“Speaking of offers, Mattie . . . the estate in California is officially on the market.”
Her lungs deflated. Could there be more bad news this day? She rested her hands on his chest and saw his excitement. “That’s great. I’m happy for you, Gil.”
“Save your congratulations, because I know you don’t mean it. I’m not going to make an offer until we’ve had a chance to talk. You and me, alone, after I bring Dad home.”
“I suppose we could discuss it after my cousin’s wedding. If you still want to go with me, that is.”
“I like the sound of that.” Gil nuzzled his chin against her cheek and kissed her lightly on the neck. “It’d give us a reason to slip out early.”
He did it again. No matter how angry or upset she was, this retired quarterback had the ability to melt her with one smooth touch of his lips on her skin. Gil lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply, a penetrating kiss that hinted of a future. His lips lingered on hers, reducing her legs to jelly.
Then he pulled away. He checked his pocket watch and frowned. “I hate to do this, but if I don’t leave now, I’ll miss what the doctor tells Dad.”
Mattie stepped back, surprised her knees didn’t falter. “By all means go, but be careful.”
Gil tipped her chin. “You’ll be okay? You won’t let your sister push your buttons, right?”
“I doubt she’ll show her face here again . . . at least not until John gets home.”
“See that she doesn’t trouble you. I’ll call when I know more about Dad.”
Mattie nodded and watched Gil drive away. She pressed her fingers to her lips where he’d kissed her, never wanting to forget the sweet sensation.
HE LIFTED JENNA IN HIS ARMS AND TWIRLED HER IN THE SWIRLING CREEK water. He plunged backward, soaking their glistening bodies as laughter filled the moonlit sky. Jenna faced him, her hands massaging his chest with a sensual touch. Her fingers climbed to his shoulders, and her laughter turned to shrieks as she pushed him under the water and held him there. The water turned to blood, thick and horrifying. Gil couldn’t breathe.
Gil awoke with a start in the shadowed hospital room, his face beaded with sweat. The nightmare had returned and with it, the guilt. He should have been the one to die. Not Frank. Why, God, why? He shook the thought away and tried to slow his rapid breath — listened to his dad snore,