Page 9 of Tattered and Torn
“I noticed. Is it all right if I call you John? Calling you by your last name seems so impersonal.”
He shrugs. “Suit yourself.”
He’s not a man of many words.
I point back toward the door I came in. “Well, I guess I’ll leave you to your lunch then.”
As I turn to walk away, he says, “Thanks for the food. Gabrielle.” He adds my name as if it’s an afterthought.
I glance back at him. “You’re welcome, John.”
As I walk back to the lodge, I can’t help feeling sorry for him. Whatever happened, it must have been awful. I wonder if his leg was burned, too. That would explain the limp.
When I return to the lodge, I run into Hannah and Killian just as they are coming out the front doors.
“There you are,” Killian says, waving me down. “Just the person I wanted to see. Would you like to go into town and meet Maggie Emerson? She owns the grocery store. You can check out the butcher’s shop, too.”
“And while you’re at it,” Hannah says, “pop into the diner to say hi to Jennie. She’s an amazing baker. You might want some of her cakes and pies for the restaurant. And next to the diner is Ruth’s Tavern. Stop in and see her if you have time. Jennie and Ruth, and of course Maggie, are good friends of mine. They’re anxious to meet you.”
“I would love to meet your friends,” I say.
“I’ll ask Burke to drive you into town,” Killian says. “We have a spare Jeep for you to use, but it’s in the shop at the moment getting brakes and tires. It should be ready for you in a few days.” Killian points to a wooden bench outside the lodge doors. “Have a seat. I’ll let Burke know you’re ready. He’ll pick you up here.”
“Thanks.” As I take a seat, I find myself watching in the direction of the barn for a certain surly cowboy to appear.
Chapter 4 – John
My heart is still thudding somethin’ fierce. I wasn’t expecting her—I wasn’t expecting anyone. I keep a spare change of clothes in the tack room so I can change after a hot ride without having to go to my cabin. I guess I should have closed the door, maybe even locked it.
I hate that she saw my scars. It’s not that I’m ashamed of them. I just wish she hadn’t seen them. I hate knowing she saw how disfigured I am.
Thanks to Nora’s help, the horses that went out on the trail ride have all been taken care of, so I might as well head to my cabin to eat this lunch. I am hungry. It was awful nice of her to bring me something to eat. I can’t remember the last time somebody did that for me.
I exit out the back of the barn and walk across the yard to the cabin I call home. It’s a one-and-a-half story log cabin, nothing fancy. The downstairs is one open room with a sitting area, a wood stove, and a kitchen. A bathroom, too. Upstairs is a bedroom and another bathroom. When I hired on here, Hannah and Killian gave me the choice of this cabin or one of the renovated staff apartments. I chose the cabin, hands down. The less I have to do with people, the better. Plus I’m closer to the horses. I’ll hear if there’s any trouble in the night.
I climb the wooden steps up to the front porch and let myself into the cabin. It’s sparsely furnished, but perfectly comfortable, and it’s enough for me. I’ve even got a TV and Internet. I set the bag of food on the dining table, then head to the fridge to grab a cold bottle of Coke. I plant myself on a chair and open the bag. It’s the usual lunch fare—a sandwich, chips, and brownies. The brownies are still warm, and I eat one of them first. I have a sweet tooth, and I’m a sucker for dessert.
Next, I annihilate the sandwich, washing it down with gulps of ice-cold Coke. It’s not bad for a sandwich, really, but I’m curious to find out what will be on offer after Gabrielle has a hand in developing a full menu. I don’t want to get too excited, but I’m looking forward to having some hot, homecooked meals.
About the time I’m done eating, there’s a knock at my door. “Come in.”
The door swings open, and Killian steps inside. “Did you get something to eat?”
I nod. “Gabrielle brought me some lunch since I didn’t make it to the dining room.”
“Really?” Killian raises a brow. “That was nice of her. Speaking of Gabrielle, I was wondering if you’d take her into town and introduce her to Maggie. Show her where the butcher’s shop is and introduce her to Jennie and Ruth.”
“Me?”
He nods. “Yeah, you. Why not?”
“Why not Hannah? Or Maya or Travis?”
“Well, because they’re all busy. Besides, she’s already met you. She doesn’t really know anyone else. She’ll also be wantin’ to go to the kitchen supply store in Denver early next week so she can order new appliances for the kitchen. I’d like you to drive her.”
“Me?”
Killian gives me an odd look. “Yes, you. Have you got a problem with it?”