Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,43
to come. “Here’s the plan. We’re not going to talk about it at all.” Which was entirely preferable to deciding the whole thing had been a mistake, something Gabriella had a tendency to do, she’d found.
“Okay,” Gabriella answered, in the shortest sentence Ryan had ever heard her construct.
“We’re going to drive you home and make no decisions about anything. Nothing to stress about. Nothing to overthink. Light as a feather.”
“A feather,” Gabriella repeated. “No stress.” Her fingertips touched her swollen lips, as Ryan drove them out of the parking lot in considerably less rain. “Ryan?” she said finally.
Ryan passed her a smile. “Yeah?”
“That was really good. Too good.”
She nodded, a huge smile taking shape. “I won’t ever forget it.”
When they arrived back at Tangle Valley, they didn’t kiss each other good night. In fact, they didn’t say much at all. That thrum of palpable energy still passed back and forth between them like the best kind of tether. For a moment, they just stared at each other, lost in whatever spell had been cast the moment Gabriella’s lips had descended on Ryan’s. Finally, Gabriella relaxed into a grin, nodded once, and hopped out of the truck. In a few moments, she was gone inside the cottage. What had transpired between them remained, however, and wrapped around Ryan like the most wonderful of blankets. The world felt different now. Music sounded new. Trees were more beautiful in their darkened glory. Alive. Vibrant.
Full of so many breathtaking prospects.
Ryan’s heart soared.
Chapter Nine
“Were you canoodling with an Otter in the rain last night? Tell it to me straight.”
Joey’s question stopped Gabriella mid-onion-chop because of its specificity. Joey stood outside her window that next morning with a huge grin on her face, almost like she’d uncovered a lost treasure. Gabriella continued to slice as she pondered the best maneuver here. In fact, prep work was the absolute best remedy for Gabriella’s head when things got complicated up there, which was why she’d hurried out to Jolene first thing, after her ten minutes of silence, of course, to slice Italian sausage, roll out her pasta, and dice vegetables in large quantities. She could always make use of leftovers later. Grandma Filomena, whose name she carried as a middle name, used to drive home the importance of leftovers regularly. “More food, more happy,” she’d say.
Gabriella paused, finally settling on a response. “There was rain. There was an Otter. And there was some kissing.” Back to chopping. Peppers next. Much to do. She imagined Joey’s eyes lighting up because, let’s be honest, this was good fodder. “But wait a sec.” She raised her gaze. “How did you know so much?”
“About that…” Joey pointed at her. “One of the Biddies opened a Biddy Instagram account. I have no idea who taught those women how to use technology, but they’re off and running with it, snapping photos like mad and tossing them up there willy-nilly. They might be out of control. This morning, there’s a photo of you and Ryan from last night, cozy behind a bat. Very cozy.” Joey shrugged. “I know the rain started up shortly after we left, so I imagine you got caught in it together, which I happen to think is very romantic sounding.”
Gabriella’s mouth fell open. “There’s a photo?” It came out like a squeak.
“Don’t sweat it. It’s a really sexy photo.” Joey fanned herself.
“I’m not interested in that kind of attention.” She gestured to herself with her knife. “It’s a situation I don’t even have a handle on. I certainly don’t need other people speculating and whispering about it.” Her blood pressure rose as the reality descended. “I moved here to focus on my food. Keep life easy and relaxed and simple. Now I’m Lustful Linda behind a bat.”
“Who’s Linda?”
“I made Linda up, Joey. Follow me. But I’m here now.”
“Sorry. Got it, Linda. But don’t make it personal. It’s part of life in Whisper Wall, unfortunately. That’s what people do here. Drink wine and talk about each other. All day long. Then they get up and do those two things again.”
“I guess I need to give them less to talk about.”
Joey sighed. “Gabs.” A pause. “Linda. Whoever you are. If you like Ryan, I don’t see the point in pretending you don’t.”
“Of course I like her. She’s funny in that sly, underplayed way she has, and knowledgeable, and kind. You should see her with her mom, JoJo. They’re great friends. Plus, yeah, there’s some crazy chemistry there that makes me want to kiss