Clearing his throat, he turned his back to the mess and gallantly bowed his head.
“Ye look even lovelier then ye did last night.”
“Thank you,” Nessa mumbled, ignoring the compliment as she searched the room for her jacket. She dug through the pile of clothes like a dog in search of a bone. She didn’t raise her head as she defended the chaotic mess. “I’m not usually this unorganized. It’s just that I’ve been out in the field all week and haven’t had a chance to sort things out.” She wished he’d quit staring at her. Why didn’t he go start the car or something?
Gabriel cocked his head to the side and clasped his hands behind his back. “In the field?” he repeated. “What is it ye do for a living that requires ye to be in some field?”
“I found it!” Nessa grunted and pulled her jacket out from under a stack of books on the chair. “I’m an archeologist. I’m in charge of a research project excavating some of the history here in Durness.”
Gabriel’s smile broadened. Scooping the jacket out of Nessa's arms, he held it for her with a tilt of his head. “I’m impressed. Such a beauty and obviously brilliant as well, the stars smiled upon me when they led ye to my pub last night.”
Wow. Who wrote this guy’s lines? An uneasy feeling crawled up the base of her spine. Didn’t he realize he laid his compliments on a little too thick? Something about Gabriel just didn’t ring true. Nessa stifled a shiver as she led the way out the door. He was as overly sweet as his decadent dessert. “I’m not too sure about the beauty part, but if you’re interested in archeology, I might be able to explain a thing or two.”
“I’m interested in anything involving you. I knew it from the moment ye walked into my pub. There’s an air of mystery about ye, Nessa Buchanan. And I always have been one who loved the opportunity of solving a mystery.” Gabriel rested his hand upon the small of her back as he guided her toward his car.
Nessa fought the nagging urge to outrun his hand as she walked toward his car. He was certainly much more attentive than any of the other men she’d been out with. Could he be for real? With so much charm, he must be quite the player. She still would’ve tagged him as the sort of man who’d be more attracted to Trish. Nessa studied Gabriel as he walked around to his side of the car. She promised herself she’d figure out his angle in choosing her instead.
“Dinner is already awaiting us in the private room at the back of my pub. Do ye happen to like poached salmon, Nessa?” he asked as he headed the car down the narrow roadway leading to the pub.
Just as she was about to reply, a gust of wind blasted the side of the car. As it swerved, Gabriel spun the wheel to keep them out of the rocky ditch running alongside the road. Tires squealing, Gabriel struggled to straighten the car in the lane. He lost the battle as one of the back tires blew out with a resounding bang.
The car landed with a disheartening thud against the steep embankment. Gabriel threw the gearshift into park and yanked the keys out of the ignition. Flipping on the interior lights, he turned to Nessa, his face filled with concern. “Are ye all right?”
She nodded, unlatched her seat belt, and let the strap slide back into the holder. Bending to the floorboard to retrieve the contents of her purse, she glanced up at him with a grin. “I’m fine. I’m glad the wild ride happened before we ate dinner or I might’ve ruined the inside of your car.”
Gabriel chuckled as he stretched to recover her lipstick from where it had wedged itself under the gas pedal. “I’m pleased to see ye have a sense of humor. I hope ye enjoy evening walks as well.”
“No spare tire?” Nessa asked, refilling her purse.
“No spare tire,” Gabriel admitted. “I meant to replace it weeks ago but it just kept slipping my mind.”
Nessa glanced out the window and studied their surroundings. She didn’t think the pub was all that far. The stars shimmered an invitation from the clear night sky. With a shrug, she pushed open the door and smiled as she inhaled the refreshing night air.
“It looks like we’ve got a beautiful night for a walk. You know what they say: everything happens for a reason.”
As Gabriel helped her from the car, he pulled her into his arms. His voice lowered, husky with passion as he replied, “Aye, Nessa. Everything happens for a reason.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers.
Nessa gave a small shriek as another mysterious blast of wind ripped him from her arms. Heart pounding, she looked up into the starry night, searching the cloudless sky. She glanced around at the tops of the motionless trees. Where had the sudden burst of wind come from? Nessa rubbed the gooseflesh from her arms as she shivered and looked around. She’d never been afraid of the dark before, but tonight’s events had her spooked.
She braced her feet and reached down to Gabriel to help him climb up from the stone-filled ditch. Her breath fogged in the chill night air. She grunted as she struggled to pull him up from the rocky mire. “Are you all right? Where is that wind coming from? There’s not a cloud in the sky.”
Gabriel hobbled up the embankment, wiping his hands on his jeans. He brushed at the dirt and debris on his shoulders, his voice cracked with pain as he limped his way to the road. “The spirits must be bored with their usual amusements tonight. They must be tossing us about for a wee bit of fun.”
Nessa noticed his pained gait and his difficulty in catching his breath. She slid under his arm and supported him as much as she could. “You’re limping. Is it your ankle or your knee? And you’re having trouble breathing. Did you hurt your ribs?”
Gabriel winced. His lips tightened and he clutched for Nessa as his knee buckled under his weight. “Definitely my knee. I think I may have bruised a rib or two. I must’ve twisted it during my dive into the ditch.”
Nessa led him to the car and helped him lean against the bumper. She fished her cell phone from the bottom of her purse and steadied him with the other hand. “I’ll call Trish. She can bring the car and we’ll take you to the emergency room so they can check you out.”
“Emergency room?” Gabriel grimaced as he lowered himself against the car. “Just take me over to the walk-in clinic. Cordelia’s mother is the doctor there.”
Nessa punched Trish’s programmed speed dial number and waited. She frowned as she received the irritating beeps informing her that she wasn’t getting a signal. She turned to face a different direction and scowled when her phone still dropped the call. “I’ve never had a problem getting a signal around here. Something must’ve rattled loose when it was thrown from my purse.”
Nessa frowned at the increasing pallor of Gabriel’s face and hit redial again. If she didn’t get through to Trish this time, she was going to have to do something else, even if it meant she had to jog somewhere to find Gabriel some help. It was obvious poor Gabriel wasn’t going to be able to move. It was apparent he was doing all he could to remain upright through the increasing pain.
“Dammit! I still can’t get a call to go through.” She shoved her phone back down into her purse and slung it over one shoulder. “I’m going to get you as comfortable as possible and then I’m going for help.” As she brushed his hair away from his clammy forehead, Nessa’s heart wrenched at his misery. “Come on, Gabriel. I’ll support you as best I can. Let’s get you into the backseat of the car.”
Gabriel wrapped his arm around Nessa’s shoulders with a half-hearted laugh. “I’m afraid I’ll not be much use to you tonight in the backseat of the car.”
