I’d be glad to follow her home and see that she gets there safely.”
An uncertain look flashed across Ben’s face, and he frowned. “I don’t know...”
Before the sheriff could finish, Gabriel Decker smiled at her. “Do you live nearby?”
“It’s a few miles out of town. I wouldn’t want to detain you if you have other plans for the evening.”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t have anywhere to be. I’ll just follow you and see that you get there safely.”
Liz started to decline. Gabriel Decker may have saved her life this afternoon, but she knew nothing about him. However, there was something about the way his dark eyes stared at her that gave her the feeling she could trust him. Before she realized what she was saying, she spoke. “That’s very kind of you. I appreciate it.”
Sheriff Whitman glanced back at Luke in the idling squad car and nodded. “Then we’ll get back to the station and get this guy booked. I’ll talk to you in the morning, Liz.”
“Okay, and thank you.”
He smiled and waved his hand in dismissal. “No need to thank me. That’s what we’re here for.”
She watched as he strode toward the car and got in. Then Luke drove them from the parking lot. With the absence of the revolving lights on top of the police car, the area darkened, and Liz shuddered. Next time she came to the movie, she was going to park in a more central location. That is, if she ever came again.
It was as if Gabriel Decker read her thoughts. “I’m sorry for what happened to you today, but you really should park in a more visible spot.”
Liz nodded. “I think I’ve learned my lesson.”
He cocked his head to one side and studied her. “The next time you should bring someone with you. A friend, or maybe your boyfriend.”
She chuckled. “I would if I had any friends here, but I’m new to this area. I haven’t had time to meet many people yet.” Then she realized she hadn’t introduced herself. She held out her hand. “I’m Liz Madison, by the way.”
He wrapped his fingers around hers. “I’m Gabriel Decker.” They stood that way for a moment before he cleared his throat and dropped her hand. “I must say our first meeting was different than any I’ve had before.”
Liz laughed. “For me, too.” She reached for the handle to open the car door. “I hope following me home isn’t taking you out of your way. Do you live around here, Mr. Decker?”
He shook his head. “Call me Gabriel, please. And no, I don’t live here. I’m staying at Little Pigeon Ranch for a few weeks, taking a breather before I begin a new job. I’ve always loved visiting the Smokies and thought it would be a good place to relax.”
She stopped and stared at him in surprise. “You’re staying at Dean and Gwen Harwell’s ranch? So am I.”
He grinned and looked down at her again, and she realized that her head barely came up to his shoulders. “It’s good to meet another guest. How long have you been here?”
“Only a few weeks, but I love it. Actually, I’m more of a working guest. Dean is letting me help with the horses and do some riding lessons and trail rides. I’m really enjoying it. When did you arrive?”
“Just this afternoon. I came into town to see what it was like and decided to go to the movie when I saw what was playing.”
Liz arched her eyebrows and glanced at him. “You wanted to see a chick flick?”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a romantic at heart.”
The teasing way he said it made her smile. “Somehow I find that hard to believe.”
He glanced around as if checking to see if anyone could hear. “No, I’m serious.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice, but don’t tell anyone. I wouldn’t want it to tarnish my masculine image.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Now I know you’re kidding.”
“I promise I’m not,” he said as he reached over and pulled her car door open. “You said you help with the horses at Little Pigeon. Do you like to ride as much as you like chick flicks?”
“Riding is my favorite thing,” she said. “I’ve been riding since I was a little girl.”
“I grew up on a ranch in Texas, so I’ve ridden all my life, too. Maybe we can ride together sometime while I’m at Little Pigeon.”
Her face grew warm, and she bit down on her lip. “Maybe.”
He grinned and winked at her. “Good. I do love to ride. It ranks right up there with Pride and Prejudice.”
She burst out laughing, and he continued to grin as she climbed into her car. Within minutes she was on the road to the ranch with Gabriel following. As she drove, she thought about the man who had come to her rescue and said a prayer of thanks that he was there when she needed him.
She wondered what kind of work he did. He said he was taking a breather from his job but not what that job was. He really hadn’t revealed too much about himself, but that wasn’t surprising. She hadn’t either, and she wasn’t about to, even though he seemed like the kind of man who could be a good friend. His quick wit when he teased her about being a romantic and his volunteering to follow her home caused her mouth to quirk in a slight smile.
Suddenly she stiffened and tightened her fingers on the steering wheel, the smile now completely gone from her face. What was she thinking? She couldn’t have a friend. One of the conditions of her being here was that nobody was to know who she was or why she’d come to Dean and Gwen’s ranch. She had to guard her relationships very carefully. One slipup about her true identity could be disastrous for a lot of people. Especially for her.
She looked up in the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of his car behind her. No matter how grateful she was for his help earlier, she knew what she had to do—stay away from him as long as he was at Little Pigeon Ranch.
* * *
Gabriel’s gaze darted back and forth across the road as he followed Liz back to the ranch. His protective instincts were on high alert today, and his stomach clenched at the thought of what would have happened if he hadn’t been at the movie. His heart had skipped a beat when he saw the gun pressed to her head. He’d known there was no way she could escape the hold of a man who had to outweigh her by at least a hundred pounds. The thought had flashed through his mind that she was much more petite than what she looked like in the pictures from her official file.
The first time he’d seen a photograph of her, he’d been struck by her eyes. Their blue color reminded him of the waters he’d once seen off the coast of Bermuda, crystal-clear blue with just a tint of green. They were even more striking when seen in person. Her hair, which was held in place with a clip on top of her head, looked almost like a golden crown that sparkled in the dusk light. All in all, he’d have to say she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
Her friendly manner wasn’t at all what he’d expected, though. He’d expected to find a person who was private and suspicious. Most people in her position would react that way, but not Liz. Maybe the way they’d met, with him saving her, had been the key to allaying her suspicions. That was promising, since he needed her to trust him.
These thoughts were still running through his head when the ranch came into sight. She pulled up beside the house, and he pulled up behind her. Before he could step from the car, she was already hurrying toward the front of the house.
“Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it,” she called out to him.
“Wait!” he yelled as he jumped from the car. He caught up to her at the bottom of the porch steps. “Liz, I’d like to—”
Before