Ranch Hideout. Sandra Robbins

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СКАЧАТЬ that still needed to be cleaned and motioned toward a room at the end of the barn alleyway. “Pitchforks are in there. Muck buckets are, too, but feel free to use the wheelbarrow.”

      He nodded. “I will.”

      She studied him as he turned and walked to the room where the tools were kept. His graceful movements told her that he was a man who was confident and relaxed in who he was. It also said something about him that he was a paying guest who didn’t hesitate to offer his help with a job that most wouldn’t consider doing. Still, there was something about him that she couldn’t figure out. There were several young women staying at the ranch right now. They were much prettier than she was and wealthier, if their designer outfits were any indication. But for some reason he seemed to have singled her out for his attention. She couldn’t understand why.

      Shaking the thought from her head, she turned back to the stall in front of her and began to clean it. From time to time she and Gabriel crossed paths in the alleyway as they completed cleaning a stall and went to another. Each time their eyes met, he smiled, and she found herself responding to his friendly nature.

      When they’d completed the job and put away the tools, they walked outside the barn and stared at the trail that led toward the mountains. Dean and Emmett, his foreman, rode toward them with a line of riders behind them.

      “That’s the early-morning trail ride coming back,” Liz said. “They’ll be hungry. I need to go get cleaned up so I can help Gwen and Shorty with lunch. Thanks for helping with the stalls.”

      She started to turn away, but he reached out and touched her arm. “It was my pleasure, Liz. I enjoyed the morning. What are you doing this afternoon?”

      She shrugged. “I don’t know. There are some more guests arriving. I might have to help Gwen get the rooms ready. Why?”

      “I picked up a brochure in the den and saw a picture of a creek near here. I think it’s called Rattlesnake Creek. I was thinking that I might ride out there this afternoon. I wondered if you’d like to ride with me.”

      Liz paused for a moment before she replied. Her earlier concerns about Gabriel’s attention to her returned, but they battled with her desire to make a friend and feel a little less lonely. “I don’t know,” she said. “Can I let you know after lunch?”

      “Sure,” he replied. “I talked to Dean before he left this morning, and he told me I could have Buttermilk about two o’clock. If you decide to go, meet me at the barn.”

      “I will.”

      She headed off toward the house but slowed down when she heard Gabriel call after her. “I really hope you’ll decide to come.”

      Liz gave a small nod and continued walking. Right now she didn’t know if she would go or not, but if she was really honest with herself, she’d admit that she wanted to. She wanted to find out more about Gabriel Decker and why he seemed interested in being with her. Maybe she’d take him up on the invitation after all.

      By one o’clock the last guest had left the dining room, and Liz, Gwen and Shorty had the kitchen cleaned up. With the last pot stored away, Shorty took off the apron he wore and hung it on a peg beside the back door. “I need to pick up some things at the supermarket for the chuck wagon meal tomorrow night. Does either one of you need anything while I’m in town?”

      Gwen and Liz both shook their heads.

      “Be careful,” Gwen said as the cook turned and walked toward the back door. “Those hairpin curves on the way into town scare me.”

      He grinned at her and nodded. “I’ll watch out, Gwen. Don’t you worry about me.”

      When he’d closed the door behind him, Gwen turned back to Liz. “Shorty worked for Dean’s grandfather for years. So he’s really like a member of the family, and I tend to worry about our family.”

      The concern on Gwen’s face sent a warm glow through Liz. With both her parents dead, it had been a long time since she’d known what family really was about. Then she’d come to Little Pigeon Ranch and had seen it in the way Gwen and Dean treated each other, their daughter, Maggie, and all the people who worked for them. They had opened their home to her also and given her a safe haven during a traumatic time in her life.

      She swallowed the lump she felt in her throat. “You make me feel like family, too, Gwen.”

      Gwen’s eyes softened, and she grasped Liz’s hand. “That’s how we want you to feel, Liz. We’re honored to have you in our home.”

      Tears sprang to her eyes, and she wiped at them. “Not many people would have done what you have for me. You didn’t even know me, and yet you welcomed me with open arms, all the time knowing that you might be opening yourselves up to danger.”

      Gwen stared at her for a moment before she motioned toward a chair at the kitchen table. “Sit down, Liz, and let’s have a glass of iced tea. I think you need a bit of cheering up after the busy day you’ve had.”

      Liz nodded and dropped down in the chair while Gwen poured their tea. When she’d filled the glasses, she set them on the table and took a seat. “Are you sleeping any better than you were when you first came?”

      Liz shrugged. “Some nights I do, but last night wasn’t very good.”

      “I’m sorry, but I guess that was to be expected after what happened. Have you thought about seeing a doctor? You could probably get a prescription for something to help you sleep.”

      She shook her head. “The doctor I saw in Memphis wanted to do that, but I don’t want to be induced into sleep. I want to get back to the point that my mind is relaxed and I can drift off into peaceful dreams instead of the nightmares I have.”

      Gwen reached across the table and clasped her hand. “Liz, you’ll get there. It just takes time.”

      Liz closed her eyes for a moment. “Every time I try to go to sleep, I remember what it was like that morning.”

      She paused, and Gwen leaned closer. “You know I told you anytime you wanted to talk, I’d listen. Maybe for your peace of mind you need to take me up on it.”

      “It’s been hard for me to live with it, much less talk about it. But sometimes I think I’ll scream with all the thoughts that run through my head. I think I do need to talk about it.”

      “Anytime you’re ready, I’m here.”

      Liz sat still for a moment, the memories of the day that changed her life pouring through her mind. She had been wearing her favorite blouse, the one she had to throw away later because of all the bloodstains. And she remembered how Kathy had looked, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and her sunglasses propped on her head. For a moment she didn’t know if she could bring herself to speak of what she’d seen. Then she inhaled, and the words tumbled out.

      “It was a Friday, and I had taken the day off from work because I was leaving at lunchtime for a long weekend with my friend Kathy. We were going to a spa near Little Rock and were excited about getting away and spending a few days just being pampered. Kathy picked me up and said that she needed to stop at the mall before we left town and pick up a watch that she’d had repaired. When we got there, she pulled into the parking garage.”

      A sob choked her throat, and she swallowed. СКАЧАТЬ