Gabe by Ruth Cardello

Author:Ruth Cardello
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Ruth Cardello
Published: 2016-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

It shouldn’t be this hard. I should be able to tell him whatever he wants to hear and leave knowing that it was the best choice for both of us.

What am I hoping for? That he believes me? What then? Does he help me hide? Wait until I clear my father’s name? What if I don’t? What happens then? Would a man like him want the daughter of a man accused of fraud?

And worse, much worse, what if I tell him, and he gets hurt trying to help me? I’ll then be responsible for the death of two men. Would I be able to live with that?

I don’t want to lie to him anymore.

“The truth is I wasn’t expecting anyone like you to come into my life. That’s why you’re getting mixed signals. I like you, but I’m not ready to be with anyone.”

Gabe’s hand dropped to his side. “I see.”

“I’m sorry.”

He frowned and pocketed his hands. “No, I appreciate your candor.” His tone was formal and Josephine wondered if that was his defense. “I’m sorry, too.” He looked her over slowly. “I’m curious. Why change your hair and eye color? Why the fake tattoo?”

She almost said she liked variety, but being honest with him made her feel like she could breathe again. “It makes my life easier.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know.”

He looked back into the truck. “That’s a unique bike.”

“My dad and I made it.”

He nodded. “After how you described him, I can imagine the two of you working on it together.”

Just then the clasp that she’d used to secure the bike let go, and the bike crashed onto its side, taking down a pile of boxes with it. The contents of some spilled onto the floor of the truck. Unfortunately, one of those boxes held her cash and the fake driver’s licenses she’d created for herself when she’d left the East Coast. Motels required IDs, and she’d wanted to cover her tracks well so she’d made several with different ages and names.

Before Josephine could stop him, Gabe rushed into the truck to right her bike. She knew the moment he saw the IDs because he froze. In painful slow motion, he set the bike onto its stand and began picking up the licenses. He looked as angry as he’d once looked concerned. “Who the hell are you?”

Time for honesty was over. Josephine bolted toward the guest house. He followed in quick pursuit, closing the distance between them with much more speed than she’d anticipated. She was in the process of opening the door to the guest house when he slammed it shut and spun her around.

She considered kneeing him but hesitated and lost the advantage when he guessed her intent. And this is why you don’t sleep with someone you may have to run from. I can’t hurt him.

His hand bit into her arm, and she amended her thoughts.

Much. She tried to knock his hand off and used a self-defense trick she’d been taught to free herself. It didn’t work.

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