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the small rooms. This bunkhouse isn t very big, Lily. I know that my parents would
love to have you come and stay with them. We re only about fifteen minutes away& at
least the way I drive, she amended.
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Lily reached across the table to pat Gabby s hand. That s very thoughtful of
you, dear. But I m very comfortable right here. I ve even mastered the use of that old
relic of a stove. The first batch of cookies were charcoal, but I ve got it all figured out
now.
The offer will be open if you change your mind, Gabby assured her.
There is something that I would like to ask you, if you don t mind, Lily
confessed looking a little sheepish. Reid and I had dinner in town last night with Griff
Palmer. He seems to be a nice man. Has he lived here long?
Griff has lived here all his life. His wife died about ten years ago. They didn t
have any children and his only sister lives in Virginia. He s great! Gabby expounded.
We had a lovely time. I m having dinner with him tonight.
That s wonderful, Gabby said honestly. Get him to sing for you sometime.
He has a beautiful voice and plays a mean banjo and guitar. I don t know if Reid has told
you, but during the summer we put on musical shows in the park in town on Friday or
Saturday nights. This Saturday is country night. I hope you ll be there?
I wouldn t miss it for anything. It sounds fascinating. No wonder Reid loves it
here so much. I& Lily was interrupted as Reid entered the house.
As Reid rode into the corral he saw Gabby s car and sighed with relief. He d
missed her; hearing her laughter, her voice and her touch. And he had to admit that it
was a relief to know that she was safely back from the cabin. It was irrational, but if he
had his way, she wouldn t be making any more solitary trips up there.
He took the steps two at a time in his hurry to see her. When he opened the door
the first thing he heard was laughter, his mother s. It wasn t the artificial social laugh
that he d become accustomed to growing up. This was warm genuine laughter and it
warmed his heart.
Stepping into the small kitchen he found his mom and Gabby chatting over tea.
Is this a female gathering or can a mere man join in? he asked giving Lily a kiss on the
cheek before leaning down to gently press his lips to Gabby s. He had the satisfaction of
seeing the color rise in her cheeks.
Oh, I think we can let you join us, Reid, Lily chuckled seeing the blush his kiss
had produced in her visitor. Wash your hands and I ll get you a cup of tea, a couple
sandwiches and some cookies.
You drink tea? Gabby blurted. Her brothers always asserted that tea was a
woman s drink.
Sure do, piglet. I acquired a taste for it when I went to school in England. But I
must admit that mom s cookies are the best part.
As Gabby watched him wash up at the kitchen sink she realized that there was
much that she didn t know about Reid McAllister& where he went to school, his favorite
foods or colors. What kind of books and magazines did he read? She knew he could
cook, but did he prefer eating in or out in restaurants? You went to school in England?
she asked really curious now.
I took some post graduate courses in international business there. It was
wonderful especially the trips I made outside London. Have you ever been there in your
travels? Reid asked sitting down and accepting the cup from Lily.
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Only once, but all I saw was part of London, she replied an unconscious
wistfulness coloring her voice. She d always wanted to see the countryside, but hadn t
managed to get back there again.
Reid heard the unspoken longing. We ll make a trip over there one of these
days. I know the best places to go for beautiful scenery and marvelous accommodations.
You take a lot for granted, Gabby snapped to cover her confusion. The thought
of taking an extended trip with Reid was more than appealing. It conjured up all sorts of
pictures in her mind. But that would be paramount to making a commitment. And she
wasn t ready for that yet. Things were happening too fast for her peace of mind. Yeah,
right! Tell that to your body, she thought.
And you underestimate me, piglet, Reid replied lifting her hand to his lips.
She tried to snatch her hand away, but he held it hostage in his much bigger
stronger one. Did anyone ever tell you that you re bullheaded and a bully?
No, because I m a real loveable guy. And you know that you love me! Reid
laughed loving the mental battle he saw reflected in her eyes.
Big, bossy and outrageous is more like it!
And you love it, he said softly pressing his lips to the palm of her hand.
A discreet cough made them realize that they weren t alone. If you two have had
enough tea, I ll clean the pot, Lily told them straight-faced, although it was difficult to
keep the laughter from her eyes. This was the one& this was the woman Reid had been
waiting for all these years. And Lily couldn t have been more pleased.
Gabby snatched her hand away pushing her chair back. She glared at Reid. Her
dark eyes deepened to an even darker hue as he just smiled at her. Lily, please come to
dinner tonight. I know my mom will want to meet you. And you can come too, she
directed at Reid as an after thought.
Oh, I m sorry Gabby. But I have a date tonight, Lily replied with a quick
glance at her son.
Date? With who? Reid bellowed. His mother on a date?
Gabby grinned. Good for you, Lily!"
Griff Palmer. He called early this morning to ask me out, Lily said with just a
hint of color rising in her cheeks.
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