Gabe held out his hand. “What?”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about insulting me. I’ve been told plenty of times that I’m not good enough. No man will ever want to settle down with a woman like me, except—”
Anger, hot and sharp, rushed through every part of his body. It was so fast and intense, at first, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Who the fuck told you that?” he asked.
She licked her lips and shrugged. “I’ve been told it most of my life. You don’t have to be upset. The woman you fall for, she’s going to be one lucky woman.”
This wasn’t a play.
Gabe saw her and knew in his gut that she was speaking from the heart, the truth, and it annoyed him. He was ready to fucking kill the person who had made her feel this way. How could she even believe it? She was gorgeous, sweet, and sexy as fuck.
He stepped toward her and stopped when she moved back. “I need you to tell me who told you this kind of shit.”
“It’s fine, Gabe.”
“No, it’s not fine. Not on my watch.”
She took a deep breath, and he saw the tears building in her eyes again. “I’m really tired.”
“It’s your stepfather, wasn’t it?” he asked.
Her lip trembled.
He couldn’t recall meeting that son of a bitch, but when he did, Gabe was going to make sure it was a meeting the asshole never forgot.
Gabe moved toward the door, wanting to give her space. He stopped and looked toward Annalise. “Just so you know, you’re the only woman we want, Annalise. Make no mistake about that. Vinny, Archie, and myself, we’re all fucking smitten with you.”
****
Vinny shoveled more hay onto his fork and tossed it into the waiting truck with some force. He was pissed off.
“Are you imagining that was Gabe’s head?” Archie asked.
Gabe had taken his horse and had started the day by going out and checking fences. Vinny and Archie were shoveling hay once again. Not that they needed to, but Vinny had to do it. If he didn’t, he was going to kill Gabe.
He’d been flirting with Annalise, slowly getting closer to her until he found the right moment to steal that kiss. She’d been skittish, as he imagined she would be. She was terrified of losing her job, and to a point, he got it, he did, but she needed to know he wanted her, so badly.
He ached for her. It felt like he’d been waiting all his life for her, and then Gabe went and threw away his hard work.
After he’d gone to Annalise’s room, she had stopped crying, but Gabe had then told them what happened. As far as Vinny was concerned, he’d messed up his grand plans.
“He’s always meddling when he’s not supposed to,” Vinny said. He speared the fork into the hay.
“Gabe’s always been like that.”
“And I’ve appreciated everything he’s done for me. I love the guy, okay, but right now, I’m pissed. We’re not monks, Archie. Does he expect us to live alone forever?”
“What do you think Annalise is going to do?” Archie asked.
Vinny had stayed up all night guarding the front door in case she attempted to run away. He’d been relieved she hadn’t tried to leave. But his back hurt like a bitch this morning from the uncomfortable position on the sofa.
“Not a clue.” He didn’t know what she was going to do. That morning, breakfast had been ready for them, but she hadn’t been around. A quick glance through the kitchen window showed she was in the vegetable garden they had all spent months carefully organizing. She avoided them.
Gabe drank his coffee, ate his breakfast sandwich, and left.
He’d been slowly stewing over what had happened, and Vinny hated the silence.
“I need a drink,” Vinny said.
He’d been shoveling hay for most of the morning. It was back-breaking work, and he needed a drink, and he also had to see Annalise. She was on his mind all the time, and not knowing if she was okay was starting to worry him.
As he got to the house, he knew instantly she wasn’t home.
He entered the kitchen and saw a pitcher of lemonade with a note.
I’ve gone to the shop for some ingredients. I will be back before lunch.
Love, Annalise.
“Has she left?” Gabe asked, coming up behind him.
“No. She’s gone grocery shopping.”
“Why didn’t she ask any of us for help?”
“I’ve got a couple of clues.” He poured himself a drink of lemonade.
“You’re pissed at me.”
“Totally.” Vinny leaned against the counter.
“You’re not even going to try to hide it?” Gabe asked.
Vinny snorted. “Got no reason to. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some shoveling to do.” And I’m imagining it’s your head.
“Vinny, I want her as well,” Gabe said.
“I know. I know we all want her. I know there’s a fucking chance we could finally get our dream, but instead of helping, you sent her to her room crying, and now I’m pissed off at you.” He stepped out of the kitchen.