The First Time I Saw You

by Lorhainne Eckhart

  “She’s a woman. She doesn’t know what she wants,” he said dryly, and Gabriel realized the guy actually believed it.

  “So let me get this straight. You want Elizabeth back, but you’re messing around with someone else…”

  “They’re just women,” MM said.

  “Well, this is going nowhere,” Blake said. “Let me be clear, Mr. Murrin: This is the last time I want to see you in my station, and I’ve already warned you to stay away from Elizabeth. Now I’m going to be really clear. Elizabeth has made her feelings clear, and you’re done, so you pursuing her, contacting her…”

  “She has my kid. I have every right!” MM said, cutting the sheriff off, and even Gabriel saw the man wasn’t about to go quietly into the night.

  “Seeing your kid doesn’t mean you get to harass Elizabeth,” Blake said. “That’s an entirely different matter. Get your lawyer to work out visitation, but you won’t contact Elizabeth again. You work at the shipping yard. Wasn’t it just this year that a big bust went down where the Feds seized guns, drugs, and other illegal contraband? They arrested some small-time employees, but no one was talking about who was really behind it.”

  Something then passed between the sheriff and his dad, and a hint of a smile touched one side of Andy’s mouth. Gabriel knew it was more a warning to Mac Murrin that he was messing with the wrong man.

  “Guess Jason Mears hasn’t had the right incentive to bring the guilty party out. Could be worth a talk to him,” Andy said. Was that MM’s boss at the yard? Gabriel just stared, realizing what they were saying. MM was suddenly quiet as if he’d figured out how bad this could be.

  “Look, I had nothing to do with that. Mr. Mears isn’t going to start pointing fingers…”

  “Oh, he will with the right incentive,” Andy said, and Blake just inclined his head as if in total agreement. Andy pulled out his phone and started dialing—who, Gabriel didn’t have a clue, since he’d been under the impression they were going in to see Mac for a talk, yet he suddenly felt as if they’d forgotten to give him the script.

  “Oh, I see where this is going. Pretend to call, try and bust my balls,” MM said. “No, sorry, I think I won’t bite, and I’ll call your bluff.”

  His dad didn’t even blink. “Jason, Andy Friessen. Yeah, great. Meant to ask how your daughter’s graduation went.” His father never took his eyes off MM, and even Gabriel could see the bullshit arrogant side of him was starting to slip. “Right, right. We should meet for drinks soon. Listen, I’ve got a little problem here. I’m sitting in front of one of your yard workers, Mac Murrin…”

  “You win,” Mac snarled. “Hang up the phone.”

  Blake gestured to Andy, who nodded and said, “Yeah, hoping there isn’t a problem. Listen, let me give you a call back. We may have just resolved the situation. Sure, you bet, Friday.” Then he hung up and stared down at MM, who lifted his hands.

  “You want her, she’s yours,” he said, taking in Gabriel, the sheriff, and Andy.

  “Great, so you stay away from Elizabeth,” Andy said, resting his hands on the tabletop, “and then we’ll have no more issues. It would be so easy to have another conversation with Jason where I’ll make sure something happens that you do need to be afraid of. Do we understand each other?”

  It had been that simple, that easy, finding the one thing that would hit MM where it hurt: his fear of being locked up for something he may or may not have done. Gabriel had seen firsthand how far his dad would go for one of them, and he considered only a second what he’d done for Elizabeth, who was now in bed on one of those ridiculous air mattresses, likely with her boundaries erected, cast in stone.

  She’d made it clear there could be no future between them, and he didn’t know what else to do to convince her or show her that insanity and craziness wouldn’t darken their doorstep or rip her life apart again.

  There was a tap on his bedroom door, and he frowned in the dark as it opened and he spotted the silhouette of Elizabeth.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, and her voice sounded so raw and sad.

  He didn’t move from where he leaned against the window, and he didn’t make an effort to turn on the light as she stepped into the room and crossed it to him. He could see she was barefoot, still wearing her loose blue jeans and sleeveless blouse. Her hair hung in soft messy waves.

  “I’m scared,” she said. “I don’t want to ever step into something thinking it’s good and then it turns out I’m in a relationship that isn’t going to work for me and the person I fell in love with turns out to be hiding a dark side.”

  “Elizabeth…” he started, and she hurried toward him, pressing her hand to his mouth. Maybe she could hear the irritation in his voice.

  “No, Gabriel, let me finish, because if I don’t say this, I don’t think I’ll have the nerve to say it.”

  He realized her hand was shaking as she allowed it to fall away and lowered it to her side.

  “I’ve always dreamed of meeting that perfect guy, that perfect partner who would have my back. I just never expected to meet you. And I keep telling myself that you’re hiding something, some part of you that you don’t want me to see, and you’re only showing me the good part of you, and then I’ll fall for you hard and I’ll realize it’s all a lie.”

  He drew a breath, knowing he sounded impatient.

  She lifted her startled gaze to him, her eyes wide. “But that’s the thing. It’s too late. I already fell for you, and I just couldn’t admit it to myself. I’ve been comparing you to MM, and for that I’m sorry, because you’ve done nothing to show me you’re like him. Maybe because I’ve been hounded by him for so long, his crazy behavior, and he won’t leave me alone, I’m seeing the worst, his worst, in you. But it isn’t you. I guess I’m saying I’m scared, but at the same time, Gabriel, I’m tired of being scared, and I really, really want something good and to take a chance again. I want to be happy. I deserve to be happy,” she said, then just stopped talking, and he wasn’t sure what to say, because he wasn’t sure she was saying what he thought she was.

  “Are you done talking?” he asked, and she didn’t say a word, only nodded, so he said, “Fine.”

  He stepped closer to her, putting his hands over her shoulders and leaning in. He dragged his hands up and around her cheeks, her ears, holding her so she had to look up at him. Her lips were so close, and it was only the hint of light from the stars outside that allowed him to see the glitter in her eyes. There was such passion there, and he realized she’d likely hid it away. Right now he wanted her to feel safe with him, to let down that guard so he could be with the Elizabeth who was hidden behind those thick walls she’d erected out of necessity.

  He pressed a kiss to her lips, holding her as she draped her arms over his shoulders. She moved in closer as she deepened the kiss, and he tasted her, his hands running freely down her shoulders and around her back, over her ass, feeling the perfection. She groaned in the kiss as she ran her hands over his chest, and it was her touch, her energy, that he couldn’t seem to get enough of. He thought he’d go blind with need if he didn’t get her into bed, and at the same time he didn’t want to push too hard. Baby steps, but he didn’t want to wait.

  Elizabeth stepped back and then slid her hand in his and started over to his bed.

  “Are you sure?” he said, wanting to kick himself for giving her an out.

  She didn’t say anything as she flicked the button on her blouse and then another until it fell open, and he took in her lacy cupped bra and her breasts spilling out. He was dying to touch and feel and taste them. Then her hands were on the edge of his T-shirt, lifting it up. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to get into bed?” he said.

  He wanted to strip her down. His hands slipped under her open shirt and pushed it off her shoulders, and then he unhooked her bra and pulled it away. He pulled his shirt over his head, and Elizabeth slipped out of her jeans and crawled onto the bed naked, lying on her back and pulling her leg up as she waited for him.r />
  He didn’t know how he did it, taking his time as he took in her perfection, slowly dropping his zipper and stepping out of his jeans and underwear, thick and ready for her. He walked over to the bedside table and pulled open the drawer, then reached for a condom wrapper and tossed it on the bed beside her.

  “One of us needs to be thinking,” he said as he climbed over her, holding himself up, and he pressed his body to her. She kissed him deeply, her sweet mouth, her soft gasps as he took his time touching every part of her, tasting her, kissing her, exploring her before covering himself and sliding inside her. It was that first time, that first time being with her, inside her, moving with her, that he just knew she was the one.

  And then it happened, the first time he saw her.

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later

  The entire family was congregated at the ranch. It had taken Elizabeth some time to really understand how close Gabriel was to his family and how they had welcomed her and Shaunty into the fold. There was no craziness, no more having to always watch over her shoulder, fearing the other shoe would drop and MM would suddenly appear and stir up shit, demanding she come back. In fact, she hadn’t seen or heard from him again, and Gabriel had said she wouldn’t have to worry, that he wouldn’t bother her. She’d asked what he’d done, how he could know for sure, and she remembered his exact words:

  “We made sure he understood clearly it was in his best interest to walk away.”

  That was all he’d said to her, and she hadn’t asked more, still expecting that MM would show up, because no one had ever been able to get through to her before.

  “Thought you would like some white wine,” said Laura, Gabriel’s mother, who was holding two glasses. She had long blond hair and was slim and curvy in a loose pair of jeans and a sleeveless pink blouse, absolutely gorgeous, with the most amazing green eyes Elizabeth had ever seen.

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth said, taking the glass. Shaunty was with Gabriel over by the corral, where Andy was on horseback along with Jeremy, separating some of the cattle into another pen. Sarah was manning some chute, and Chelsea was standing off by herself a little further down the rails, quiet and brooding, her long dark hair tucked under a cowboy hat. She wore ultra-short shorts and a tank top, with her feet shoved in boots. She was the one Friessen Elizabeth hadn’t been able to figure out and get to know.

  “Your little girl reminds me so much of Chelsea, smart, curious,” Laura said, “but she has Sarah’s sweetness. She was the easy one. Zachary over there argued about everything the moment he could talk.”

  Elizabeth took in the youngest Friessen, who was sitting atop the rails, saying something to his dad, who had a big smile on his face. Just watching them all together, seeing how close they were, this big family, she suddenly realized she was a part of them now.

  “Then there’s Jeremy…” Laura said. “He is so much like his father, there are days I swear his personality was poured from the same cast.”

  Elizabeth took in this mother who loved her children so deeply. “Shaunty loves coming here,” she said. “You and Andy spoil her, and she always asks Gabriel when we’re coming back.” She took in the wide smile on Laura’s face and the love there in her expression, how it softened as she looked out to her husband. What an incredible love affair they’d had. Every time she was around them, she didn’t miss the way he always touched her, a kiss here or there, his hand on her ass or around her, pulling her closer. The way they looked at each other and laughed, she could see now why Gabriel was who he was. She lifted her glass and took a swallow of wine.

  “We’d take her anytime,” Laura said. “She’s always welcome here. We love having her. You know you make Gabriel very happy, but sometimes I look at you and wonder if you believe it’s okay to love him back.”

  Elizabeth nearly choked and coughed as the wine went down the wrong way, then took a second to understand what his mother was saying. Laura reached over and rubbed her back as she said, “Really?” Her voice was raspy, and she took another swallow of wine to clear her throat.

  Laura didn’t say anything, and Elizabeth wasn’t sure what to make of the expression on her face.

  “I do love him,” she said, “but you’re right. I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop. You know when you live with something so bad for so long, you just have that expectation that something bad is going to happen—that MM is going to show up at Gabriel’s and go all psycho and hurt him. I can’t seem to shake it, so it’s still there even though I know Gabriel and your husband and the sheriff had a talk with him, even though Gabriel said he was gone and wouldn’t be back. I just know that he doesn’t give up, that…”

  Laura reached over and rested her hand on her wrist, an odd smile pulling at her lips. “Oh, that,” she said, and for a minute Elizabeth wasn’t sure whether she was going to laugh or what. “You know, when my husband came home and told me what happened at the station and the talk they had with your ex, I knew what he’d done without him having to explain in detail. Let’s just say I know my husband well, and he’ll do anything to protect his family, us. Gabriel has learned from his father how to be a man, a good man. I know your ex won’t bother you. You can be sure of that. It took me a lot of years to understand the man Andy is, a lot of years for me to shake my own fear that I see on your face. Let it go, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth took in Laura, who was so young, so kind and loving, and then Gabriel, who was walking their way with Shaunty, who was giggling as she sat on his shoulders. Then she felt her hand on her back.

  “Go on, be with my son,” Laura said. “Go be happy, and take it from me: My son is the real deal.”

  She watched as Laura strode down the stairs and said something to Gabriel, who lifted Shaunty off his shoulders and set her down on the ground. Laura took her hand and walked over to the corral, leaving Gabriel and Elizabeth alone. Then he was up the steps, standing right in front of her, and she took in his perfection.

  “So can I interest you in a ride?” he said before he leaned in and kissed her.

  She laughed and lifted her hand up to his cheek. “Sure. Just so you know, I’ve never been on a horse before.”

  He pulled her closer, his arms around her, settling on her waist. “We’ll just add it to the list, one more thing I’m going to have fun teaching you.”

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  I hope you enjoyed reading Gabriels story, The First Time I Saw You. You hear me ask all the time, and this is no exception please leave a review, reviews have become necessary at many of the top retailers. The more reviews a book has the more the retailer will give it priority placement. Not sure what to write? Just a few kind words is all it takes. Click here to return to your retailer of choice and leave a review.

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  This coming year will be a year of just The Friessens along with brand new free bonus short stories from some of my past series that will only be available to my newsletter subscribers first before being offered for sale at all retailers.

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  My books have all been edited and proofed, but editors, proofreaders, and I are all human. And things do happen like this past winter, in all good humor, which I can laugh about now, the unedited wrong file being processed at a retailer because my team and I missed a vital step. And as many of you have read from my blog posts, it happens to all of us. And many thanks will go to one of my amazing fans who shot me a quick email to say, “Hey what’s up!” So if you spot a typo, or something that doesn’t look right please email me at lorhainneeckhart.le@gmail.com and let me know. Also, I would like to thank everyone who has emailed and told all their family and friends about my books. If you’d like to know more about my other books, please scroll to the next section or visit my website at www.LorhainneEckhart.com.

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  All the best,

  Lorhainne Eckhart

  What’s coming next in The Friessens

  Welcome to My Arms

  Everyone in Columbia Falls, M
ontana believes that Chelsea Friessen is a spoiled princess who is more trouble than she’s worth. They’d be wrong though, considering that tale was spun by a scorned high school crush and two years later is still the first impression everyone has of her.

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  But when she meets a man whose personality is as arrogant as he is drop dead gorgeous that if Chelsea was in her right mind should have her running away from him. The only problem is that this badass stranger walked into her life knowing he saved her from humiliation, a stranger and a kiss she couldn’t resist where he pretended to be her fiancé. The only problem with pretending is it suddenly becomes far too real.

  * * *

  Click here to order your copy of Welcome to My Arms

  Other Works Available

  What We Can’t Have from The Parker Sisters

  It all started the moment he laid eyes on me.

  “You will cheer Mason on for her backbone and finally breaking free of the emotional chains of the family.” Bookzilla

  Seventeen year old Mason Parker has been keeping a secret from her family about the boy next door. And after a chance encounter, the timing all wrong, Mason and Justin are faced with a dilemma as considering being together, could end up dividing two families.

  Click here to download your copy of What We Can’t Have

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