“Carrying a gun doesn’t make anyone safer.”
“From where I come from it does.” Gabe stood in front of her. “Lunch?”
“You can’t come with us,” she growled. “If the stalker is in Polson, he’ll recognize you.”
“The chance of that happening is about a million to one.”
Natalie sighed. There was no point arguing with him. The stubborn tilt of his jaw told her he wouldn’t be changing his mind anytime soon. Her mom was looking forward to going to the festival and so was she.
Perhaps he was right. There was a slim to zero chance of the stalker being anywhere near them. If he knew Gabe was living in Sapphire Bay, he would have contacted him here, wouldn’t he?
“Okay. You can come with us.”
Gabe’s grin didn’t make her feel more confident that they were doing the right thing.
“Does this mean you’ll have lunch with me, too?”
Natalie shook her head. “I can’t. I need to paint.”
“Fair enough. But make sure you eat something.”
This time Natalie did salute him. “Aye, aye, captain.” She jumped off the edge of the veranda and winced. She was really looking forward to a hot shower. “Mom’s flight arrives in Polson at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. We’re going straight to the festival from the airport.”
“What time are you leaving the cottage?”
“Eight o’clock.”
Gabe nodded. “If I don’t see you tonight, I’ll be waiting beside your truck tomorrow morning.”
Natalie patted Sherlock’s head. “Enjoy your lunch.” And without hobbling too much, she walked to her side of the cottage. Hopefully, after a good night’s sleep, Gabe would realize he was overreacting and stay in Sapphire Bay.
Seeing him for a couple of hours each day was bad enough. Spending the whole day with him would be sheer torture.
* * *
Natalie stepped awayfrom the cottage and sighed. Gabe stood beside her truck, looking for all the world like he belonged there. “I thought you might have changed your mind.”
Gabe grinned. “There was no chance of that. Are you ready to paint the town cherry red?”
She smiled at his early morning joke. The Cherry Festival could have used his words in their advertising. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I finished chapter eleven at three o’clock this morning.”
“Congratulations.” She looked around the yard. “Where’s Sherlock?”
“Caleb’s looking after him.”
“For the whole day?”
Gabe nodded. “Sherlock’s stayed with him before. Is there anything you need me to carry?”
Natalie unlocked her truck and left her pack on the back seat. “No. I’ve got everything I need. What about you?”
Gabe swung a small day pack off his shoulder. “I’ve got everything in here.”
“Including your gun?”
“That’s here.” Gabe turned around and lifted his shirt.
