“Hi, Gabby.”
Though she hadn’t seen him in weeks, the moment her gaze fell upon him, memories of the times they’d spent together rushed into her mind—good memories, but close on their heels was the memory of the mortification of telling him she loved him and then him not returning the sentiment.
“What…” she stammered. “What are you doing here?” For a moment she couldn’t figure out how he’d known where her aunt’s house was, but then she remembered that she’d brought him there once, to meet her aunt.
“May I come in?”
“Uh…” With a quick glance behind her, Gabby was torn. On the one hand, Brandon had driven all the way down from Sacramento, but on the other, Travis was in her backyard and she didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her. “This isn’t the best time.”
“Oh.” His eyebrows drew together. “I’m sorry. I know I should have called first, but I wanted to see you in person.”
Confused as to why he was there, she shook her head. “Why?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “When school began, I’d almost forgotten that you wouldn’t be there this year. And when I didn’t see you day after day, I…” One side of his mouth turned up in a smile. “To tell you the truth, Gabby, I really miss you.”
Before she had a chance to reply, he went on.
“Not that long ago you told me that you love me.” He smiled softly. “Now it’s my turn. I’ve come to realize how much I care for you, Gabby.” His smile seemed hesitant, like he wasn’t sure how she’d respond. “I love you.”
Hearing the words that she’d once hoped he’d say made her heart do a little hitch, and with him standing right there as he said them, she couldn’t help but remember the way she’d felt about him, how she’d cared so much for him that she’d believed she was in love with him.
Still… Now she was dating Travis. Wait. She’d been out with Travis, what? Three times? That wasn’t exactly a relationship.
Gabby opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Then, “Uh…I…I don’t know what to say.”
Brandon’s smile grew. “Say what you said a few months ago. That you love me. We can make this work. I know we can.”
She’d thought she loved him once, but now she’d moved on. But could there still be something there? Confused by the feelings rolling through her, she decided to steer the conversation in another direction. “I live here now. In Emerald Falls. I’m not planning on moving back to Sacramento.”
“That’s okay.” His expression conveyed that he’d already considered that. “I can move here.” He smiled. “Emerald Falls seems like a nice place. I liked it the first time I saw it. When you brought me here to visit your aunt.”
He would move there? Just for her?
Then she pictured Travis—sitting in her backyard at that very moment. Would he make a major change like that for her? He’d already said he was planning on moving away from Emerald Falls the next summer. Did she want to give up the opportunity to be with a man who said he loved her, who was willing to sacrifice for her, just to take a chance with a man she was crazy about but perhaps had no future with?
Panicked that she was being forced to choose between Brandon and Travis then and there, Gabby blurted, “I’m seeing someone.”
Brandon recoiled slightly. “Oh.” He paused a beat. “I see.” His eyebrows drew together. “Is it serious?”
Before Gabby could answer, the door swung inward and there stood Travis.
Twisting around to face him, and with her heart racing, Gabby struggled for something to say.
His gaze went to her, then to Brandon, then back to her. “Is everything okay?”
Finally finding her voice, she said, “Yeah. This is a friend of mine from Sacramento. Brandon Monroe.” She smiled at Brandon as if he hadn’t just told her he loved her and would uproot his life just to be with her. “Brandon, this is Dr. Travis Haywood.”
Why had she mentioned that he was a doctor?
Frown lines appeared on Brandon’s forehead as he shook Travis’s outstretched hand.
“What brings you to Emerald Falls?” Travis asked, oblivious to what was going on.
Brandon’s gaze flicked to Gabby’s face before meeting Travis’s. “I came to see Gabby, actually.”
Hopeful that this wouldn’t turn into a disaster, Gabby stayed silent.
Travis released his hand, then held back the grimace that wanted to appear on his face. “Oh?”
Who was this man to Gabriella? Was he an old boyfriend?
A knot of jealousy tightened in his gut.
Travis didn’t remember seeing him around town. Did he live in Emerald Falls? How well did he know Gabriella?
Deciding the best course of action was to not make any assumptions, Travis turned to Gabriella to try to figure out if she wanted him to leave so she could be alone with the man. When his gaze met hers, he saw panic in her eyes. Not sure what was going on, Travis forced a smile onto his mouth and said, “I should probably get going.”
Gabriella’s gaze went from his face, to Brandon’s, then back to his. “Okay.” She nodded. “Thank you for today.”
Was he being dismissed so easily?
Dismayed to know that Gabriella was choosing another man over him, Travis kept his lips turned up in a smile. “All right. I’ll…uh…I’ll check back with you tomorrow to see how Buttercup’s doing.”
Half expecting her to tell him not to bother, when her smile brightened as she nodded instead, Travis felt a small measure of relief that she hadn’t dismissed him completely.
With a final smile at Gabriella, Travis walked past the man whose appearance had marred the end of an otherwise perfect day, climbed into his car and began to back out of the driveway. Just before he turned onto the street, he saw the man walk into Gabriella’s house, then watched as the door closed behind him, and they were both lost from sight.
Chapter 23
Gabby closed the door behind Brandon and invited him to sit on the couch.
Now what?
This wasn’t how she had seen her date with Travis ending. But she couldn’t just send Brandon on his way without talking to him. They had too much history. And Travis would come back tomorrow, right?
Worried that she’d blown it, Gabby tried to focus on Brandon and what to do about his unexpected appearance as he sat on one end of the couch and she sat on the other.
“So,” Brandon said, “how are things going here? How’s your class this year?”
Remembering all the school-related conversations they’d had when they’d been dating, Gabby knew Brandon would understand her unique worries.
“The class is great, although there are a couple of children who I think are really going to struggle. I’m worried about them.”
They talked about teaching techniques, and soon they fell into familiar territory, which Gabby found comforting. Having an experienced teacher to talk to—one who’d mentored her—really boosted her confidence. But even as she talked to him, half of her mind was on Travis and what he was doing, what he was thinking. Did he think she was interested in Brandon? Was she interested in Brandon?
She didn’t know. He was comfortable, familiar. They had a history, he said he loved her, that he would uproot his life for her. But Travis. Oh, she really, really liked Travis. He was the boy from her past that she’d always been crazy about. And now he was a man, and now they were dating. But was a future for them even possible?
Torn about what to do, she didn’t realize she’d stopped talking and that Brandon was staring at her, waiting for her to answer his question, until the silence in the room became oppressive and was only broken by the barking of Buttercup at the back door.
Embarrassed to be caught not focusing on the conversation when it was only the two of them in the room, Gabby jumped up. “I’d better let her in.” Without waiting for Brandon to reply, she went to the back door and let the d
og in, then sat back down on the couch.
“When did you get a dog?” Brandon asked. “And whatever happened to Sadie?”
“I still have Sadie.” Gabby laughed. “She’s probably hiding in my room right now.”
“And the dog?”
The feeling of emotional intimacy she’d shared with Travis earlier swept over her, and a feeling of longing settled into her heart. I wish he was here right now. “I got the dog today,” she finally said. “I’m fostering her until Travis can find her owner.”
Brandon nodded. “So…Travis. He’s the one you’re seeing?”
“Yeah.” Was it considered “seeing” someone when you’d only been on three dates? And you’d never even kissed?
“I meant what I said earlier, Gabby.” Brandon leaned forward as if to emphasize the intensity of his emotions. “I love you.”
But she didn’t love him. She knew that now. It was time to make her feelings clear. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I…I just don’t feel the same. Not anymore.”
He straightened, and as a small frown played around the corners of his mouth, he nodded. “I’m too late, and I only have myself to blame.”
Guilt settled over her, but there was nothing she could do about it. “You’re a great guy, Brandon. You’ll find the right woman.”
He was quiet for a moment, then he stood. “I’m gonna go.”
With a soft sigh, Gabby stood as well, then walked him to the door.
He opened the door, then turned to her with a smile. “I hope you find happiness.”
Touched by his warm words, Gabby smiled in return. “I hope you do too.”
He nodded, then he walked out the door and to his car.
Gabby closed the door behind him, then sank onto the couch. Buttercup came over to her and rested her chin on Gabby’s knee.
“What have I done?” she asked the dog as she ran her fingers over the golden fur on her head. “I sent him away on the hope that things will work out with Travis. Does that make me a fool, or a woman filled with hope?”
Travis channel-surfed, his mind on Gabriella. He was bugged that she’d chosen that other guy over him, that when he’d suggested that he leave, she hadn’t objected. What did that mean about the way she felt about him? Or the way he felt about her? How did he feel about her?
He stared at a sports news show and imagined what life would be like if he chose to stay in Emerald Falls—because now he was thinking that’s where he wanted to be.
Did it really matter where he lived as long as he was doing what he loved? Especially if he was with a woman he cared about?
Softly chuckling at his change of heart, he shook his head.
He needed to talk to Doc Martin. He had never suggested that Travis should stay, so maybe that wasn’t even an option. And he certainly didn’t want to open his own practice and compete with him. That wouldn’t be cool.
Hang on. What if Gabriella wasn’t that interested in him? He didn’t want to make these major changes to his long-term plans on the off-chance that she would decide he was worth her time. He needed to slow way down and see where he stood with her. After all, right now she was with another man.
Tightening his jaw in frustration, Travis climbed right back on the roller-coaster of uncertainty.
Chapter 24
“Sadie? Sadie, where are you?”
It was early Sunday morning, and Gabby hadn’t seen Sadie since a brief sighting the night before after Brandon had left. Since she’d been bitten, Sadie had stayed in the house, and Gabby had no intention of letting her back outside. But now that Buttercup had arrived, Sadie had basically gone into hiding.
“There you are.” Peering under her bed, Gabby smiled as she held up the edge of the bed skirt. “Don’t worry. I put the dog outside. You’re safe to come out.”
Gabby held out her hand as she tried to coax the gray tabby out from under the bed. “Your favorite vet’s going to come over today.” Pursing her lips, Gabby added. “At least I hope he is.”
Gabby thought about the last thing he’d said to her before he’d left the previous afternoon. I’ll check back with you tomorrow to see how Buttercup’s doing. She hoped he meant it.
When Sadie finally came out, Gabby carried her into the kitchen where she fed her, all the while her mind was on Travis.
Had she been foolish to send Brandon away? Was there any chance for a future with Travis? Was it possible to change his mind about moving away?
Moments later, Amethyst called.
“What are you doing on this beautiful Fall morning?” Amethyst asked.
Smiling at the cheerful tone in her friend’s voice, Gabby said, “I don’t have any plans right now. Why?”
“I was thinking it would be fun to go on a hike. Are you up for it?”
Getting away to talk to Amethyst about Travis and all that was going on sounded like a great idea. For a moment she considered bringing Buttercup, but then she decided it wouldn’t be a good idea for the dog to be so active as her leg was healing. She would leave her out back. The weather was perfect, so she would be comfortable in the backyard while Gabby was gone. Besides, she really needed Amethyst’s advice.
“Yes,” she said. “I’m up for it.”
“Great. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
When Amethyst pulled up thirty minutes later, Gabby was ready, and soon they were on the road. When they arrived at the trailhead and began walking a short while later, Gabby said, “I need your advice.”
Amethyst laughed. “And you know I’m happy to give it.”
Smiling in response, Gabby nodded. “Yes, which is part of the reason I agreed to go on this hike with you.”
“Okay. What’s up?”
Gabby filled her in on her date with Travis, and then she told her about Brandon showing up.
“And you haven’t talked to Travis since he left?” Amethyst asked.
Shaking her head, Gabby said, “No. I was kind of waiting to see if he came over today like he said he would.”
“So this Brandon, you’re sure you’re not interested in him any longer?”
Gabby pictured the man she’d once thought she was in love with, but now knew she was not. “I’m sure.”
“Okay. So now you need to focus on Travis and where things are going with him, right?”
“Yes.”
“If you knew he was sticking around, how would you feel about him? Would you be having these qualms about giving him your heart?”
“No.” She answered without hesitation.
“Is a long distance relationship out of the question?”
Certain that that would never work for her, Gabby nodded. “Yes. That’s a deal breaker for me. Besides, I don’t even know where he’d be living. He could be all the way across the country. I can’t live that way.”
“Okay,” Amethyst said as they continued walking. “Have you told Travis how you feel?”
The thought of confessing her feelings to Travis made Gabby’s whole body tense. What if she told him she was falling for him and he said he was just interested in a friendship? She would feel like an idiot—just like she had when she’d told Brandon she was in love with him. But what if she didn’t tell him how she felt and he felt the same and neither one of them admitted it? Would their relationship—such as it was—just die out and he would leave Emerald Falls never knowing how she felt? Would she be able to live with herself if she hadn’t taken a chance? But taking a chance was scary. And why did she have to be the one to take the chance? Why couldn’t he be the one to do it?
“I’m taking your silence as a no,” Amethyst said.
Sighing, Gabby looked at Amethyst. “You’re right. I haven’t told him how I feel. And to be honest, I don’t know if I will.”
“Come on. Do you really want to risk letting him go because you’re afraid?”
“Of course not.” But fear was a powerful thing.
“Okay then.” Amethyst stopped walking, so Gabby stopped too. Amethyst turned to face her
. “I challenge you to tell him how you feel. Today.”
Adrenaline surged through Gabby’s veins. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Of course you can.” Amethyst smiled, making her emerald green eyes sparkle. “You can do anything.”
Her friend’s confidence boosted her own, and Gabby nodded. “I’ll try.”
Travis hadn’t called first, he’d just come over. But now, as he stood on Gabriella’s porch and waited for her to answer her door, he became worried. Her car was in her driveway, but she wasn’t answering.
Maybe she was in the shower.
Trying not to think about what that looked like, Travis decided to sit on the porch and wait a while before knocking again. He tried again fifteen minutes later, but there was still no answer. Had she gone somewhere with Brandon? That would explain why her car was there but she wasn’t.
Hoping he was wrong, he waited another ten minutes, then knocked again. He even went through the gate to make sure Gabby wasn’t out back with Buttercup. He found the dog all alone, and no Gabby.
Obviously, she wasn’t home.
Frustrated, he climbed into his car and turned on the engine.
I guess she’s not all that eager to see me. Well, I have other stuff I can do today.
Then, with a grim smile, he drove away.
I guess that makes my decision about talking to Doc Martin easier. No point in asking about staying when there’s no reason to stay.
Chapter 25
After Amethyst dropped her off, Gabby checked on the animals, then showered. Eager to see Travis, and gearing up to tell him how she felt, enthusiasm swelled within her as she waited for him to tell her he was coming over. But as the afternoon wore on and she didn’t hear from him, her mood began to sag.
“Is he coming over or not?” she said to Buttercup as she sat on the patio enjoying the beautiful weather.
Buttercup leaned against her leg, reminding Gabby of the way the dog had leaned against Travis’s leg the day before.
Crushing On You: Travis and Gabriella (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book One) Page 9
