Guarding Her Heart by Laura Haley-Mcneil

Author:Laura Haley-Mcneil [Laura Haley-Mcneil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 23009584
Publisher: Laura Haley-McNeil
Published: 2014-08-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

When Garrett and Victoria entered the lodge, the fragrance of a pot roast greeted them. Victoria’s stomach rumbled. She managed a half smile but her mind was far away wondering about a young woman who was an artist and who died in a car crash four years ago.

“I’d tell you to stop thinking about it, but I know that won’t do any good,” Garrett said.

“I can’t stop thinking about the pain that family has gone through, and how Jonathan chose to deal with his grief. He needed help and his family didn’t seem to know how to provide it.”

“I can’t speak for them, but they all had to deal with the loss of a loved one. Sometimes things slip through the cracks.”

And go totally cracked, Victoria thought.

“I’ll check with Annabelle to see how much longer until dinner.” Garrett set his briefcase on the bench by the door.

“If you’re hungry now, it’s ready now.” Annabelle called from the kitchen.

Victoria’s jaw slackened, and she looked across the great room to the kitchen door. “How did she hear you?”

“I learned a long time ago that Annabelle always knows what’s going on.”

“That’s right. Remember that.” Annabelle’s sharp warning shot out of the kitchen.

“Shall we?” Garrett reached his hand toward Victoria.

She took it with hesitation. She knew the touch, the warmth, the closeness, would send the electrical currents of longing through her. What she wanted after that would be dangerous to her heart. She already experienced more danger than she thought possible. Why open herself to the most treacherous danger of all? Opening her heart to Garrett.

Annabelle set the table on the balcony overlooking the valley of columbine, English Astor and Queen Anne’s lace. The quaking aspen shimmered beneath the rays of the setting sun. A pair of chipmunks chased each other over fallen logs. Camp robbers snatched at crumbs in the rock garden below. From the barn came the sounds of the horses pacing and waiting for the evening meal.

Victoria sat before a spread of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, Parker rolls and a garden salad sprinkled with pine nuts and croutons. Garrett lifted a bottle of red wine and raised his brows in question. Victoria nodded, and he filled her glass with the ruby red liquid.

She savored the tangy taste and leaned back in her chair. “This is delicious. It reminds me of the wine we would order when we visited the Tuscany hill towns.”

“That’s exactly what this is. Wine from Montepulciano.” The look on his face was deep and probing.

“Annabelle created the perfect prescription to the anxiety of the past few days.” Victoria broke open a roll and smeared its face with honeyed butter.

“Will you be up for another session with Dr. Bell?” Garrett sipped from his wine glass.

“Maybe tomorrow. Tonight, I need to go through the emails from my editor. There were still some changes I had to make to the text for my book.”

“I’ll have Dr. Bell come tomorrow at nine.”

Victoria nodded and tucked into the pot roast. She savored every bite.

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