Snowbound Sweetheart by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Gil knocked off work a little early to shower and shave before he left for the Crawfords’ for dinner. The blinking light on the answering machine stopped him.

Had Lindsay called to say the invitation was canceled? He wouldn’t blame her. He’d been unforgivably rude today at lunch. As Rafe had told him.

Finally, he pushed the play button, holding his breath. Instead of Lindsay, it was Carol, her mother. “I thought I’d extend the dinner invitation to include Rafe. We’d love to have him join us also. No need to let me know. There’ll be plenty of food.”

Gil knew Rafe would enjoy an evening out. As hard as Rafe worked for him, Gil certainly wouldn’t deny him dinner with friends. But he didn’t want any more lectures. He knew his behavior had been unacceptable.

With a sigh, he went back out to the barn. “Rafe? You in here?”

Rafe’s head popped up from the last stall. “Yeah, I was just checking on Sugarbaby.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Fine. I think we’ve got another week or two before she drops. Anything wrong?”

“Nope, but Mrs. Crawford left a message inviting you for dinner, too, if you want to come.”

Rafe’s eyes brightened. “Hey, I’d like that. Dinner neither you nor me cooked.” He paused, then asked, “You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. Why would I?”

“Well, I don’t want to interfere with your courting Lindsay.”

Gil drew a deep breath, knowing his face was turning beet red as he held back his temper. “I told you before, I’m not courting anyone! I was just being neighborly.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, then, I’d like to eat with the Crawfords. They’re nice people.”

An hour later, they were on their way to the Double C ranch.

“You gonna apologize to Lindsay?” Rafe asked after saying nothing for most of the ride.

“Of course.”

“Good.”

“That’s it? No advice on exactly what to say?” Gil growled.

“Nope. I don’t like to interfere.”

That blatant lie made Gil laugh. “Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

“Here, now, boy. You know—”

“I know, Rafe. You’re family, even if we’re not really related. You can say whatever you want. You know I couldn’t manage without you.”

Rafe’s cheeks darkened. “You’re the boss,” he protested.

“Yeah,” Gil said with another chuckle. Then, his voice serious, he said, “I’ve been doing some thinking about family, since I got home.”

Rafe stared at him. “Why?”

With a shrug, Gil said, “Lindsay has some problems with her family. I dismissed them at first, but the way they greeted her the other night…well, I began to understand a little more.”

“They’re good people,” Rafe said stubbornly.

“Yeah, they are, but they don’t make her feel good about herself.”

“What are you? Some damn psychologist?”

“No, Rafe, but when I got home, you had food ready. You made me feel welcome. You asked about my trip, about Kathy. You made sure I was comfortable.”

“You make me sound like the Beaver’s mom,” Rafe said in disgust.

Gil laughed again. “Yeah. But Lindsay’s father yelled at her. He hadn’t seen her in almost a year.”

“I bet her mom didn’t yell at her.”

“No, and she hugged her, said how good it was to see her.

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