A Sweetheart for Jude Fortune

Laurel smiled encouragingly. “Tell me what you’ve been doing to keep yourself busy.”

“Well, I spend most of my days with Papi.” Gabi slanted a glance and he smiled. “Since the weather has been unseasonably warm, I try to go for a run once I leave the hospital.”

“To try isn’t good enough. You mustn’t neglect your exercise.” Her father’s voice brooked no argument. “It’s essential.”

Gabi bit back a sharp reply that would have been worthy of a brash fifteen-year-old rather than a mature woman of twenty-six. Instead she smiled. “I’ve gone for a run every day except the day I flew in.”

“I always feel better when I exercise, too,” Laurel agreed, a look of understanding in her eyes. “But I hope while you’re here, you also take time to get acquainted with the people and the town.”

The image of the man at the Superette flashed before Gabi. Yes, getting to know the cowboy would be a pleasure.

“I’ve gotten acquainted with you and your husband,” Gabi said when she realized Laurel waited for an answer. “Now, when I return to Miami and Papi talks of Sawyer and Laurel, I’ll know just who he means.”

Sawyer inclined his head. “Are you planning on going back soon?”

“Not until my father is home and able to care for himself.”

“You have a job,” Orlando protested. “I won’t put your position in jeopardy. Even the most understanding employer can lose patience when days turn into weeks.”

“I took family medical leave,” Gabi told her father for what felt like the zillionth time. “Staying isn’t a problem.”

“My daughter is a manager at Miami Trust.” Pride filled Orlando’s voice. “It’s one of the largest banks in Florida.”

“My boss was supportive of me coming.” Gabi kept her tone soft and soothing. “You don’t have to be concerned.”

“I can’t help but worry.” Orlando lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “That’s how I am.”

It was true. Gabi remembered the lines that had seemed permanently etched between her father’s brows when she’d gotten sick and needed surgery. Her mother’s worry hadn’t been as obvious, but Gabi knew they’d both spent many sleepless nights fearing for her life.

Impulsively Gabi leaned over and hugged her father. “That concern is one of the things I love about you.”

Surprise flickered in his eyes. They’d had some battles in the past over what she’d termed his overprotectiveness, but once he’d moved to Texas, she discovered she rather missed having someone around who cared enough to worry.

Sawyer’s phone trilled. He glanced down then rose to his feet with a look of regret. “I need to go.”

“I appreciate you stopping by.” Orlando’s gaze shifted from Sawyer to Laurel. “Both of you.”

“We want you back at the flight school.” Laurel placed a hand on Orlando’s shoulder, then bent and kissed his cheek. “It’s not the same without you, O.”

“Thanks for that.” Orlando’s cheeks turned a dusky pink before his tone turned brusque. “I’d walk you to the door but it took two nurses just to get me in the chair this morning.”

Sawyer crossed the room to stand beside his employee. His eyes met the older man’s dark brown eyes. “I promise you, if the plane was sabotaged, we’ll get whoever was behind it.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about your job,” Sawyer told him. “It’ll be there waiting for you. No matter how long you’re off.”

For a second, Gabi thought she saw the sheen of tears in her father’s eyes, but when she looked again they were gone. She decided it must have simply been her imagination.

“I appreciate it” was all her father said.

Sawyer shifted those striking blue eyes in Gabi’s direction. “I realize it’s short notice but we’re having a barbecue at the ranch tonight and—”

“We’d love to have you join us,” his wife added with a bright smile. “I know you wanted to stay close while your father was in the hospital. Since he’s now doing so well, I hope you’ll consider coming this evening.”

“Go,” her father urged before Gabi could respond. “I’m planning on watching the ball game tonight.”

“Sawyer’s aunt and uncle as well as most of his cousins will be there.” Laurel’s tone turned persuasive. “They’ve lived in Horseback Hollow all their lives so if there’s anything you want to know about the town or the area, they’re the ones to ask.”

Gabi couldn’t imagine having too many questions about a town that was barely two blocks long.

“I can guarantee good food,” Sawyer said when Gabi hesitated. “My aunt makes the best desserts, and she’s promised to bring a couple of her specialties tonight.”

“My Gabriella doesn’t eat sweets.” Orlando spoke before Gabi could respond. “It’s not good for her. She—”

Gabi shot him a warning glance, and whatever else he’d been about to say died on his lips. Had she really missed his constant worry?

“Like everyone,” Gabi said easily, “my goal is to eat healthy. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a bite or two of something sweet occasionally.”

Her father opened his mouth then shut it when she fixed her gaze on him.

“Please say you’ll come.” Laurel’s eyes sparkled in her pretty face. “If only for a bite or two of Jeanne Marie’s spectacular desserts.”

Gabi considered. An honest-to-goodness Texas barbecue could be fun. God knew she was tired of hospital food. But this was her father’s first night in rehab. How could she enjoy herself knowing he’d be sitting alone in his room watching a ball game by himself?

“There’ll be lots of handsome men there.” Laurel shot her a little wink.

As handsome as the man outside the coffee shop? Gabi wanted to ask. His eyes had been as blue as Sawyer’s and, like her father’s boss, the cowboy had a casual confidence she found appealing.

“Tonight at seven, O?” a man in a wheelchair called from the doorway.

“I’ll meet you in the lounge,” her father called back.

Gabi lifted a brow.

“The ball game,” Orlando informed her. “Lloyd and I made plans to watch it together when we were sweating to the oldies in physical therapy this morning.”

Gabi turned to find Laurel staring at her with an arched brow.

“Tell me when and where,” Gabi told her. “I’ll be there.”

Chapter Two

As she turned off onto the lane leading to Sawyer and Laurel Fortune’s ranch, excitement quivered in Gabi’s belly. Her first Texas barbecue at a real ranch. She glanced down at her skirt and sweater, hoping she wouldn’t find herself over-or underdressed.

Before Laurel left the rehabilitation center today, she’d assured her the barbecue would be casual. But Gabi had painfully discovered on several occasions that casual meant different things to different people.

Since her Florida attire was too lightweight for even a warmer-than-normal North Texas winter, she’d stopped in nearby Vicker’s Corners on the way back from Lubbock. The small town, just down the road from Horseback Hollow, had a cute little downtown area filled with quaint shops. At a darling boutique that rivaled those in Miami for selection and price, Gabi picked up the skirt, sweater, tights and boots she wore tonight.