By the Heart Bride: Gabe (Matchmaking A Marriage Book 3)

by Joann Baker

  “Yeah, but that was Calhoun. You’re…”

  “I’m what, Pops?” Gabe narrowed his eyes, anger and hurt piercing him at the thought that his own grandfather may think he wasn’t good enough for Amelia.

  “Well, you’re going through something, son. Have been ever since you came off the rodeo circuit. Your Gramps and me, we decided it was best to let it go, seeing how you never wanted to talk about it.”

  Gabe didn’t know what to say so he kept silent. That was something he’d been doing for the last ten years. Not talking. Not sharing. Not living. He clenched his hands in his lap. Damn it, he cursed. Just damn everything.

  Thelma brought their ticket and Pops picked it up before Gabe could reach for it. As the older man rose to his feet he said in a quiet voice. “Just remember, son, we’re here whenever you do want to talk. About anything.”

  Gabe continued to keep silent as they made their way out of the diner and back to the Ace in the Hole. There was really nothing to talk about, he decided. His heart had been broken by the dark-haired physician and that was that. And now that she was here, in his territory, there was only one thing he could do.

  Stay as far away from her as he possibly could and pray she got tired of small town living.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “DARN IT.”

  Amelia glanced up from the chart she’d been completing in time to see her godfather stumble into the filing cabinets. Instantly, she was beside him. “Are you alright, Uncle Frank?”

  Unused to the attention, Frank blustered, pulling away from the light hold on his arm. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. It’s just been a long day on my feet, and my knee is giving me fits.”

  “You need to have it replaced.”

  “Don’t start, young lady. Having it replaced now would put me out of commission for several weeks and this is a busy time.”

  Amelia snorted lightly. “I think I can handle the clinic, Uncle Frank. Your health is way more important than worrying about June Tanner’s sprained ankle.” Her eyes widened. “Or don’t you trust me to do a good job?”

  “That’s bullshit, and you know it, Millie.”

  Millie.

  The nickname was like a punch in the chest. It had been the name he’d called out when passion overtook him. Giving herself a mental shake to put Gabe out of her mind, she turned to her Uncle. “So you trust me to keep an eye on June Tanner’s ankle and anything else that might arise?”

  Frank sighed and took a seat across from her at the table she’d been using to update the charts. “More than anyone I know, sweetheart.” He waved a hand over the charts spread out on the table. “But I’ve got more to handle than just the patients here.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like the rodeo next week. I’ve volunteered my medical services, so that means I have to be in attendance every night. Can’t patch up a cowboy if I’m laid up with a new knee, now can I?”

  “Well,” Amelia drawled, “first of all, you know you couldn’t have surgery that soon, but I see where you’re coming from. Secondly, I don’t think you need to be on your knee day and night, so I’ll take over the rodeo responsibility and you can rest. Thirdly…”

  “No, no. I can’t let you do that.”

  “Why not?” Amelia frowned.

  “Because that atmosphere is no place for you. It’s all rough cowboys and crude language.”

  “And it’s nothing I haven’t heard before. Have you forgotten that I worked emergency at a big city hospital? Besides, we had cowboys there occasionally.”

  “Yeah, but this is different. The cowboys here are…real.”

  Immediately an image of Gabe came to mind. Real was exactly the word to describe him. She’d never met a man so earthy, so sure of whom and what he was. The self-awareness that he wore so casually had made him irresistible to her.

  “And I can handle them. I’m not some little naïve female that’s going to faint at a salty word or two. And if you don’t let me, I’ll tell Nurse Betty.”

  Amelia hid a smile at the look that crossed the older man’s face at the mention of his nurse. It was one of frustration and affection all rolled into one. Frank mulled the matter for a few seconds longer before coming to a decision. “Are you sure you want to do it?”

  “Hey, Gabe, you gonna compete in the bronc busting at the rodeo?”

  “I sure am. Bareback and saddle.”

  “I’m sure.” Amelia smiled, pushing the thought of seeing Gabe with his buckle bunnies every night to the back of her mind. Seeing him would stir up all those old memories of their time together, but at least she wouldn’t have to talk to him. He’d be doing his thing and she’d be doing hers. Unless he got hurt. Her heart dropped at the thought. She might resent the hell out of him, but she would never want him to get injured.

  “Okay then,” Frank nodded, “I’ll take you up on that generous offer.”

  “And you’ll check into having surgery scheduled for that knee?”

  “Maybe if I just rest it for the next few weeks and keep it wrapped for a while.”

  “Uncle Frank!”

  Frank grimaced at the exasperation in Amelia’s voice. She was worried about him, he could tell. His heart warmed. It had been a long time since he’d had anyone around who really cared. “Okay, I give. I’ll make some calls on Monday.” He watched as she closed the chart containing the report on the last patient of the day. “So what are your plans for the weekend?”

  “Well,” Amelia neatly stacked the charts, knowing that Betty would take care of them first thing Monday morning, “I still have some settling in to do.” She scrunched her nose. “You know that housekeeping was never one of my favorite chores.”

  Frank laughed. “Yes, I do remember your mother saying quite often that your room looked like a tornado had torn through.”

  Amelia nodded as a smile twisted her lips. “And I’m only a little better now. I won’t even cook because it means I’ll have to wash the dishes.”

  “But you’re such a good cook. That tuna noodle casserole you made last Sunday was delicious.” When she’d decided to move to Devil’s Spur they’d discussed the possibility of her moving in with Frank. He’d been open with his invitation but Amelia knew it would have been difficult for both of them. Luckily, she’d been able to take over the lease of one of his friend’s niece’s rental house. Turns out that niece had married Calhoun, Gabe’s brother, and moved to the Ace in the Hole.

  “Thanks, but that was a one pot, one dish thing. Not much preparation or cleanup.”

  Frank’s gaze narrowed as his hand swept over the neatly stacked charts. “You don’t seem to have a problem here.”

  Amelia shrugged. “There are others here to consider than just myself. I don’t want things to be harder for anyone else than they have to be.”

  “Ah, considerate of you,” Frank smiled.

  “Unfortunately, this compulsion to have everything in its place doesn’t go home with me.”

  “It will when you have a family of your own.”

  A pang shot through Amelia’s chest. “That’ll happen about as soon as June Tanner admits that she’s a hypochondriac.”

  “She isn’t faking the sprained ankle.”

  “She sprained it here at the clinic after jumping down from the exam table when I told her she didn’t have Mono,” Amelia said exasperatedly. “The only reason she didn’t sue us is because she finally had a condition to be treated for.”

  “She called me at home last night to let me know that there was now a pretty yellow mixed in with the blue discoloration.”

  Amelia shook her head. “You have caller I.D., why did you even bother answering?”

  “Because she may have genuinely needed me.”

  “Frank, you know she’s…”

  Frank held up one hand. “She’s a little old lady that’s lonely, that’s all.”

  Amelia frowned. “Doesn’t she have children to look in on her? Grandchildren?”

  “No,” Frank said somberly
, “Her husband died very young. A seemingly healthy man, he went jogging one morning and ended up in the ER with an aortic dissection. He died before June could get to the hospital.”

  The story painted a very different picture of the woman Amelia had secretly dubbed the pestering patient. “And she never remarried?”

  “No. And, believe me, it wasn’t for lack of trying on the part of the men in this county. But June and Dan had that once-in-a-lifetime love. No one else ever quite measured up for her.”

  Just like no one had measured up to Gabe in all these years.

  “Were you one of the men that tried?”

  “No. Unfortunately, I had my mind on my studies. Then medical school and training.” Frank took a deep breath. “Before long, time had gotten away from me and I ended up the crusty old bachelor you see before you.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being focused.”

  “I never said there was. It’s just that there has to be room for other things as well. How old are you now? Twenty-eight, twenty-nine?”

  “Twenty-nine, thanks for asking.” Amelia made a face at her godfather that made him laugh.

  “I’m only making a point, honey. With every year that passes, the next one passes even quicker.” He indicated the small room with a nod of his head. “Don’t make this your whole life. It’s a fulfilling job. But it’s still just a job. It won’t keep you warm at night or be there for the ups and downs.” His head tilted, his eyes appraising her silently. “So what did you say you were going to do this weekend?”

  Amelia blinked, trying to adjust her thinking around the fact that the man who had always been so jovial, so full of life, had so many regrets. Lonely was the one word she would never have associated with her godfather. Just as she’d been forced to rethink her opinion of June, she now had to do the same with Frank.

  “I, ah, Harvey Anderson invited me to his ranch. He said I could get riding lessons if I wanted them.”

  Frank hesitated only momentarily. He knew what Harvey was up to and he’d warned him against it. On the flip side, he’d just recited a sermon on how Amelia should find other interests. “So you’re going?”

  “I…I don’t know. I’d like to, but what if Mr. Anderson was only being polite when he made the offer?”

  “No,” Frank expelled a long breath. “If Harvey said it, he meant it.”

  Amelia’s lips curved into an eager smile. “Then I’m going.”

  “You should’ve fired his ass already.”

  Gabe glanced at Gramps who’d come up to stand beside him at the railings. Inside the pen, Colby Benson worked with a particularly spirited two-year-old paint named Freida.

  “I almost did at the diner the other day. But he’s good with the horses, Gramps. And with Cal gone and Ryder’s schedule so erratic, I need every man we’ve got right now.”

  “I know, son. It was just an observation.”

  Gabe frowned at the weariness in the older man’s voice. “What’s wrong, Gramps?”

  “Nothing. I’m just tired, that’s all.”

  The same fear that always developed when he thought of something happening to any member of his small family engulfed Gabe. “You do too much, Gramps, working here and at the store. Maybe we should hire someone to take over the housework. With Pops laid up, you’re doing more than you should.”

  “Well, son, I’m glad you brought that up. I’ve been thinking lately that some decisions need to be made and, well, I’ve made one.”

  Gabe nodded. “We can place an ad in the paper today.”

  “No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

  Gabe looked into the faded brown eyes of his grandfather, seeing a weariness that had never been there before. Once again, a sense of helpless fear shot through his chest. “Whatever you want, Gramps, I’m on board. If you need me to do more in the house or at the store, I’m there.”

  Gramps chuckled, easing Gabe’s fear somewhat.

  “What?”

  “I can just picture everybody in pink undies after you’ve done the laundry.”

  Gabe was enjoying his grandfather’s laughter too much to take offense. “It was one time. How was I supposed to know that Ry’s red shirt would fade all over everything?”

  “At least you learned to sort after that.” Gramps nodded.

  “And,” Gabe grinned, “I learned that pink is definitely not my color.”

  Gramps chortled, nodding his gray head. “It sure was a colorful day.” His expression sobered quickly. “I wish sometimes we could all go back. You boys have grown up in the blink of an eye. But,” he shrugged, “that’s the way it is. Life moves on, sometimes faster than we’d like and things change.” He cleared his throat. “Speaking of change, I’ve decided to sell the store.”

  Stunned could only begin to describe what Gabe felt at his grandfather’s announcement. “That store belonged to your father and his father. It’s been in the family for more generations than I can count.”

  “Like I said, things change.”

  “But it’ll be like selling part of ourselves.”

  “I admit, the decision wasn’t an easy one. But you boys have the lives you want here. There’s no one else.”

  Gabe stared at the distant mountains, trying to wrap his mind around what this would mean for Gramps. The store had been a big part of his life and now he had no choice but to give it up to a stranger. “I’m sorry, Gramps.”

  “Don’t be, son. I’ll still have my memories. I met your grandma in that store. That’s something nobody will ever be able to take away.” He smiled. “Look at it this way, I’ll be here, underfoot, a lot more.”

  “We’ll love every minute of it, Gramps. But don’t think you’re giving up the store just to take on more around here. I’ll hire extra men if I have too. And we can still get someone to come in at least twice a week to help around the house.”

  “Now, now, don’t go getting your knickers in a twist. I’m tired, not dying.” He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist, a Christmas present from Gabe last year. “Now, I’ve got to get moving. I’m going to close the store at noon today. That’ll give me time to place the ad in the paper and check out a couple of realtors this afternoon.”

  “Need any help?”

  Silas glanced around as a black SUV pulled to a stop near the corral. He recognized the driver instantly, as did Gabe if his sudden stiff posture was any indication. “Nope. I believe you’ve got your hands full, son.”

  He walked over to the vehicle, waiting until the driver got out before extending a hand and a welcoming smile. “Good morning, Doctor Murphy. You sure are a pretty sight for these tired old eyes.”

  Amelia smiled in spite of the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. This was Gabe’s other grandfather who owned the store in town where you could purchase anything from a hay baler to a yard of fabric. “Thank you, Mr. Moore. You really know how to brighten a woman’s day.”

  “Aw, honey, I didn’t say nothing that wasn’t true. And, please, call me Gramps—or Silas.”

  Amelia bobbed her head, her smile widening. “Well, thanks again…Gramps.”

  Silas laughed. Giving her hand a final squeeze, he released his hold and turned to his grandson. “My guess is this little lady is here to make good on Harvey’s offer for riding lessons, am I right? His gaze swung back to Amelia, who looked suddenly nervous.

  “I…ah…”

  “Can’t spare nobody today, Gramps. With the rodeo coming up next week and bringing the cattle down from high ground the week after, everybody’s busy making preparation.” A jerk of his head indicated the corral behind him. “And the horses still have to be worked.” Gabe’s tongue felt too thick for his suddenly dry mouth. Every mouthwatering inch of the voluptuous body he knew as intimately as his own was shown to perfection in a pair of tight jeans and a knit sweater that clung to her breasts like a lover’s hands. His hands.

  Amelia felt the flush of embarrassment stain her cheeks as she took a step back. “Oh, that’s fine. I
can come back later.”

  “Nonsense,” Silas interrupted smoothly, taking her elbow and drawing her forward once more. “You can spare an hour for the lovely doctor.”

  “Gramps, I…”

  “After all, look how much she’s done for us. Why, she pretty much saved your brother’s life.”

  “I didn’t do any such thing.” Again the hated flush of color heated her cheeks. Hopefully, both men would blame it on the cool breeze that sent a few leaves scuttling across the grass. “It was just a few stitches.”

  “Now, don’t be modest, young lady.” He turned to his grandson, wishing he had time to go back inside and relate to Harvey the good news. Unfortunately, the store waited. “Why don’t you take her up to the Mesa? The view is fantastic.”

  “That’s Cal’s spot.”

  Silas grimaced, irritated at his grandson’s stubbornness. “I don’t think Cal has his name carved on it. Besides, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Now,” he made a show of glancing at his watch, “I have to get to town.” He hurried toward his truck, calling over his shoulder, “You two have fun.”

  An awkward silence descended with the abrupt departure of Gramps. For a moment, Amelia was tempted to turn tail and run. But a deeper need held her rooted to the spot. She endured Gabe’s scowl for a second longer. “So where is this Mesa and how long does it take to get there on horseback?”

  Gabe snorted. “It’s too far away for a beginner.”

  “I can take you to the Mesa, honey.” Another voice joined their conversation and Amelia shuddered at the look in Colby’s eyes as he leered at her over Gabe’s shoulder. She’d seen him in the corral when she’d arrived but had hoped he’d finally gotten the message that she wasn’t interested and would leave her alone.

  Apparently not.

  “No, thanks.”

  “Believe me, doc, I can take you to places…”

  “Shut up, Benson,” Gabe snarled. “The only place you’re going is inside the barn to get that animal cooled down.” He nodded toward the spotted mare. “And once that’s done, there’s a backed up toilet in the bunkhouse that needs fixing.”