Chapter 3

After a long day and the Diner door was locked, Mia groaned and sat in a booth as her father flipped the closed sign on and turned out the lights. Then he turned to her.

“Come on baby girl, let’s go home.” He walked over and smiled down at her while offering his hand.

“Actually dad, I think I need to walk.”

“You’ve done enough walking today.”

“No this is different. I just need to walk and sort my thoughts out.”

He dropped his hand and stared down at her, “Are you okay honey?”

“Yeah dad I’m fine really.” She smiled slightly.

“I’m sorry about college baby. I know how much that meant to you.” He said thinking she was down because of it.

“Oh dad.” She said standing up and hugging him, “It’s not about that.” She tucked her head under his chin, “I just really miss mom.”

“Do you want to talk?”

“No, not really.” She lifted her head back to look at him, “Just know it’s not you okay.”

He kissed her forehead, “You know, you were always one to keep your feelings bottled up as not to bother anyone. Honey, that’s admirable to a point, but you need to be able to let it out every now and then.”

“I know.” She gave him a reassuring smile.

“So you still want to walk home?”

“I do.”

“All right then. Don’t take all night.” He released her reluctantly. He’d give her an hour before he went looking for her.

“I won’t.” Even though they lived two kilometres out of town, she actually did like to walk like she said. However, it wasn’t often she walked home after the diner closed at nine, but she did walk to work in the morning. Her father would usually open the diner and she would walk in before the noon rush. It was still light out and she knew it would last until she got home. If it was dark, she certainly wouldn’t be doing this.

She put her sweater on and locked the door of the diner behind her as her dad waved while he drove away. He tried again to convince her to take a ride with him, but she still refused. It wasn’t that long of a walk anyway.

As it was three people that she knew pulled over and asked her if she would like a ride which she refused and they went on the way. However, when the fourth car pulled over, she realized it was one of the police station’s vehicles, the Bronco. It sidled up beside her and the window rolled down to reveal the handsome face of the police station’s newest member.

“It’s a little late to be walking by yourself Mia.”

That deep voice started a quivering down her spine again. Lord, she thought, is that normal? “I don’t mind it.”

“Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

“It’s okay. I can walk, I’m already halfway there.” She said unable to meet his gaze.

“Get in honey, I don’t feel right about leaving you out here.”

Oh my, that endearment made her trip, but she managed to stay upright. She stopped walking and turned to look at him, to try her best not to show how he affected her,“Gage, I know everyone in town. I’ve lived here since I was a baby. No one would hurt me.” Oh heaven help me, there was that heart stopping grin again. He did it when she took the defensive tone of voice with him and her knees went weak as it slid across his handsome face. Obviously not much bothered him.

“It’s not the townsfolk I’m worried about. This is bear country and we have two reported attacks alone this road last week.” He explained almost chuckling at her misunderstanding.

“Oh!” she said embarrassed, “Sorry.”

He nodded toward the empty passenger seat without taking his eyes off her, “Get in.”

“Okay.” She walked around the passenger side as he bent over the console and opened the door for her. Once inside, she put on her seatbelt and brought her head up noticing his gaze was on her. “thanks.” Even from the light of the dashboard there was no mistaking how handsome he was.

“Anytime.” He grinned and shifted the Bronco into gear.

His smile was downright devastating to a woman, but she was sure he already knew that. A man like him surly knew his talents. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, for her anyway, he spoke

“How old are you?”

She turned to look at him not being able to hide her surprise, “Eighteen, why?”

He shrugged a thick shoulder, “Curiosity.” He cast her a sideways glance, “I want to make sure I wasn’t robbing the cradle too much.”

“What?” her eyes widened. Did she just imagine that?

“You heard me honey.”

“Yes I guess I did.” She couldn’t help but let herself smile that time as she watched him. She was right about him, he did know his talents, because he hadn’t even asked her if she was interested in him, he just assumed. Normally she would find that kind of conceit aversive, but Gage had a way of flattering a woman with it. Maybe it was because he was older than the men she was used to. It didn’t help that he was drop dead gorgeous either. Either way, she was attracted to him and the thrill that went through her when he asked that question just confirmed it.

“Better.” He said, casting her another glance seeing her smile and dropping his eyes to her mouth.

This man is way to sinful she thought as he turned his attention back to the road. At that time she was thankful that he had the radio on because her heart was pounding so loud in her chest after that look that she was worried he might actually hear it.

“Is this your house here?” he said pulling into the driveway.

“Actually it is.” She cast him a sly glance, “But obviously you knew.”

“I did.” He said with a clever smile as he put the vehicle in park, “Like you said, it’s a small town.” He added bringing his eyes back to hers.

“Thanks for the ride,” she turned to get out, but then his hand covered hers which caused her to stop breathing for a moment as and turned back to him with a questioning look.

“Mia, a bunch of us are going to Craigan’s Gully on Saturday. I’d like to take you.”

Craigan’s Gully wasn’t really a Gully, it was more of a small valley and a fresh spring fed lake pooled in it. Everyone usually went fishing, swimming or camping there on their days off because it was absolutely beautiful. She had already known that they were going from Lisa earlier, but she sure didn’t expect the town’s most eligible bachelor to ask her. She was completely set back, and completely flattered according to the sensation of butterflies in her belly. “I—I have to work.” She averted her gaze unsure on why he wanted to take her.

“I’ll talk to your dad. My sister will cover for you that day. She’ll only work for tips, so it won’t cost your father a thing, that way I can take you.”

This time she let eyes guide back to his after that confession, “Pardon me?” her expression didn’t hold back the surprise she felt.

He misinterpreted it, “Unless someone’s asked you already.”

“No, no one has. I’m just a little surprised you want to take me.”

He raised his brows, “Why wouldn’t I, you’re beautiful.” He said bluntly as if it was common knowledge.

Mia blushed, “Gage I—“

“And,” he continued, “When you blush it only makes you prettier.”

“Stop it.” She breathed.

He chuckled keeping his eyes on hers, “So what do you say?”

“I have to talk to my father.”

“That’s fine, but I won’t take no for an answer.”

“You are pushy.” She said feeling her humour return.

“Yes I am. Also, I know about your mother and how hard you work so I made sure all of the bases were covered so you couldn’t refuse me. News travels fast around here.”

“Very true.” She agreed and tilted her head slightly not surprised in the least that he knew everything about her because gossip was common in her small town, but she didn’t know anything about him, “Doesn’t your sister have something else to do on a Saturday.”

He gave her a grin that was devastating to her senses, “No, she’s sixteen, but I asked her very nicely and she couldn’t say no to me.”

Who the hell in their right mind would, she thought especially if he smiled at them like that! “When did you ask her, I mean, we just met this afternoon?”

“This morning.”

This morning? He was going to ask her even before he’d run into her at the station today? No one knew that she was delivering the lunch so he would had to have found another way to run into her. Not only had that but he already made arrangements with his sister. She couldn’t stop the wave of excitement that went through her at the situation. This drop dead gorgeous man had actually planned to ask her out, “But—“

“I was going to come by the diner and introduce myself, but you’ve saved me a trip by coming to the station.” He interrupted and answered her unspoken question.”Then when I saw you walking home, I just couldn’t resist.”

“I don’t know really know you Gage.”

“You already know my name. I’m a cop, I’m staying old Evan Parson’s place out on Tower Road” He offered, “I look after my sister, who, God help me, is driving me nuts with all her teenage wiles.” This got a round of laughter from her, “I’m twenty-six, and single.” He added that last bit with a husky tone.

“Isn’t Evan Parson’s place a ranch?” she said changing the subject.

“Yes.” He said with a glint of amusement knowing that she did.

“You live at Mr. Parson’s?” she said in bewilderment. “that place is huge.” Evan Parson was in his early seventies and usually only showed up during the spring. Most times he was in Europe, but everyone knew that he kept the place fully staffed to manage the livestock.

“He is a friend of my family’s and when he heard I was moving here he offered me his house while he was away. He told me it just sits empty most times.”

“It does.” She said, “I heard you could get practically lost in the house.”

He chuckled, “it’s not that big, but yeah, pretty large. My sister and I are quite content, but give me a log cabin in the woods and I’ll be happy.”

“Really?”

“I like feeling normal.” He explained, “And I’ve never spent a cent I didn’t earn through sweat and blood.”

“—and tears.” She added.

“Pardon?” He said arching his brows.

“That’s the saying. How it goes—“ she explained, “sweat, blood and tears.”

“There were no tears, trust me.” He chuckled.

“Oh, you meant literally!” she corrected.

“I did.” He said with smiling.

“I’m such an idiot.” She blushed.

“No honey, you’re just very truthful.” His eyes lowered to her mouth again, “I find it very appealing, among other things.” He added deeply guiding his eyes back to hers.

Oh my, she thought.

“Now about Saturday,” he said getting back on the subject while sitting straight in his seat finally releasing her hand.

“We’ll be with other people you know, so there’s no pressure here.” He reached up and tipped his hat, “I’ll pick you up around noon. Bring your swimsuit.”

“My, you are pushy.” She teased. “I never said yes.”