A flicker of relief appeared in his eyes.
She cleared her throat. Nerves fluttered in her stomach and made her wary of asking him what was really on his mind. “Have you finished the last chapter of your book?”
“Not quite, but I’m getting there. I should be editing by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Congratulations.”
Gabe looked at the stairs. “Do you mind if I join you?”
“I’d like that. We haven’t seen very much of you.” She bit her lip as Gabe sat beside her. Did that sound too desperate? Too clingy? She hoped not.
The back door opened and Natalie’s mom appeared. “I thought I heard another voice.” She handed Natalie a cup of tea and smiled at Gabe. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. I’ve had my caffeine quota for the day.”
“I wish I was that strong. One whiff of a coffee bean and I’m dreaming of cappuccinos.” Kathleen looked at Natalie. “I know it’s early, but I’m heading to bed. Is there anything you need?”
“No, I’ll be fine. Thanks for looking after me.”
Kathleen kissed Natalie on the forehead. “You’re welcome. Being able to spend so much time together is a blessing. Goodnight, Gabe.”
“Goodnight.”
After her mom left, Natalie sipped her drink and listened to the sound of the forest. “This is my favorite time of the day.”
“I thought it might be. You spend most evenings out here or by the lake.”
Natalie smiled. “You noticed?”
“It was hard not to. Sherlock has a sixth sense when it comes to where you are.” Gabe searched her face. “Did I say something wrong?”
She pushed away the images that were crowding her mind. “Jaydon Chapman said he had a sixth sense when it came to his victims.”
“It will get better.”
“Will it?” She looked at Gabe, hoping he understood what she was going through. “I had another nightmare last night. I thought someone was chasing me through the forest. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get away from them.”
“Did the police offer you some counseling?”
Natalie nodded. “I’m not sure it will do much good.”
“I used to think the same thing. I spent three months going to weekly meetings with a counselor after Michelle died. At the time, I thought it wasn’t working. But looking back, I learned some coping skills that helped me. I’m not doing so well now.”
“What do you mean?”
Gabe wiped his hands down the sides of his jeans. “It was my fault the Chapman brothers came here. If I hadn’t rented the cottage, you would have been blissfully unaware of what was happening.”
Natalie wanted to wrap her arm around Gabe and tell him everything would be all right. But she wasn’t sure it would be. “Jaydon Chapman would have hurt you or anyone else who spent time with you. He was pure evil, Gabe. At least I could defend myself enough to get away from him. I couldn’t have done that without the self-defense moves you showed me.”
“You would have found a way,” he muttered.
“Maybe. But I remembered what you said about running away and thinking through the panic. It helped.”
Gabe dropped his head to his chest. “You nearly died.”
“And I’m pleased to report that I didn’t. How have you been? It couldn’t have been easy standing close to Jaydon and not knowing what would happen.”
“That’s just it,” Gabe said heavily. “I knew what he was going to do. He would have shot you dead without blinking an eye. I don’t want you in the same situation ever again.”
