Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,36
hopped into the truck and flipped the radio to mellow tunes, content to listen to the music as they drove with an anticipatory energy floating between them. Halfway through the drive, she heard Gabriella begin to sing quietly along. Ryan looked over, surprised because her voice wasn’t just pretty, it was beautiful—angelic yet full.
“I like to sing,” Gabriella said sheepishly when she saw Ryan watching her. “It’s a thing. Ignore me.”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Ryan said, her eyes on the road. She shook her head. “I had no idea you could sing like that.”
“Just for car rides and the shower.”
“Which is a shame.”
Gabriella turned in Ryan’s direction, resting her cheek against the seat as she’d done on the drive over. It was becoming a move Ryan associated with only her. “What’s something you’re good at?” Gabriella asked, as they made the turn past the Tangle Valley sign and up the hill that would reveal the darkened vineyard in just a matter of moments.
She decided to just say it. “I like to make furniture. Just for fun, though. Nothing too serious. People seem to think I’m good at that. Maybe I am. I don’t know. Did you see the bench on my mother’s porch?”
“The wooden one with the slightly gray finish?” Gabriella’s jaw dropped, and she sat up. “I did. I admired it on the way in. Gorgeous. You’re telling me that you made it?”
Ryan nodded, feeling a little embarrassed to have revealed that. She didn’t talk about her side projects much, but for some reason she wanted to share that part of herself with Gabriella tonight. She put the truck in park in front of the cottage, and the cab went quiet. The radio off. The engine cooling. Just them.
“What else do you make?”
“Rocking chairs, tables. A dresser once. A couple of trunks.”
“You have to let me see some.” Her voice was quiet when she said it, and Ryan could only see part of her face. The shadows somehow made everything feel safe, relaxed, and low stakes.
“Come over sometime. Soon.”
“I will, and I might bring some cash with me. I have a cottage that could use a few unique touches.” She exhaled. “I like getting to see this side of you. You’re a talented kid.”
“There you go again. I’m not a kid.”
“Right. You’re not.” Her tone was unconvincing and laced with pacification.
Ryan sat taller. “One day, you’re going to change your mind about me.”
“I’m afraid I already have,” she said with a soft smile.
A pause. “Don’t be afraid.”
They looked at each other in the darkened truck for an extended beat. She could hear the sounds of her own heart beating and Gabriella’s soft breaths. This moment mattered.
Gabriella shook her head as if pondering a point. “I liked being with you tonight. I felt like I was where I was supposed to be. Is that strange?” She held Ryan’s gaze.
Ryan shook her head.
“This might be the wine talking, making me speak too freely, but I think we were meant to meet, Ryan. I don’t know why, but I can’t shake the feeling.”
“Maybe we were.” Another pause. “I’ve never taken anyone but Billy to my mom’s house.”
“Is that true?”
She nodded.
“Well, then consider me honored.” She popped open the door. “Thanks again for taking me, Ryan. And for the ride. Will you be on-site tomorrow?”
“My guys will be in first thing. I’ll join them midmorning. Gonna get the paperwork taken care of on the orders we need.”
Gabriella held the door and smiled. “I’ll stop in before the lunch rush and see how things are going, in that case. Maybe hassle you and tell you how to do your job. Kinda my favorite.”
“I’ll count on it.” The anticipation of seeing Gabriella again already sent a shiver from her toes to her shoulders. “Just don’t get all fiery.”
“Have you met me?” She hopped out. “No promises.”
The truck door slammed, and Ryan sighed, watching Gabriella, the pint-sized ball of charisma, walk in front of her truck to the stairs that led to her cottage, her dark hair swaying behind her.
“What is happening?” Ryan whispered to no one. She wasn’t exactly sure, but her world had tilted dramatically ever since taking this job. She longed for things she’d never once imagined she’d care about. She craved time with Gabriella, conversations with her, and more. Her phone vibrated in the cup holder and tore into her thoughts. Reluctantly, she checked the readout.
Come over. Now. I’ll take care of you.
Lana McCarver. They’d not shared an evening together in