She nodded. “I haven’t had such a good night’s sleep in ages. I’m glad I have a few more nights here, at least. Nice, comfortable bed.”
“Can I get you some coffee?” Derek asked.
She nodded. “I’d love some.”
“In the meantime, make yourself at home and grab some breakfast.” He pulled a mug out of the cupboard.
Gabrielle looked in the refrigerator, the cabinets and pantry. Settling on a bowl of corn flakes and milk, she joined Holly at the table.
“So what are you up to today?” she asked the girl.
She shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I think this girl I met when I first got here gets home from vacation today. Maybe she’ll remember to call me.” Holly propped her chin in her hand.
She didn’t seem like the normally cheerful kid Gabrielle had come to know.
Derek joined them and Gabrielle shot him a questioning look.
“What’s wrong?” he asked his daughter.
“I just miss Mom,” she admitted. “Not that I’m not having fun with you.”
He rose and ruffled her hair before sitting down again. “I understand completely.”
After pouring her milk, Gabrielle began to eat her cereal, pausing to enjoy her coffee. Derek had already added milk and sugar to it for her, the way she liked it. She smiled. “Hey, I just had an idea,” she said to Holly.
The young girl raised her gaze. “What is it?”
“Well, I need to go grocery shopping for a few things. No offence, but I eat a little differently from the way you and your dad do,” Gabrielle said.
“What do you mean?” Holly brushed her tangled hair off her face and resettled herself more comfortably in her seat.
“I use skim milk instead of regular or soy, and have Special K instead of corn flakes for breakfast. That kind of stuff. If you and your dad want to hang out with me today, I thought maybe we could take that trip to Target first.”
Holly’s eyes regained their sparkle. “Can we, Dad? Please? I want to check out those clothes Gabrielle told me about.”
“And I thought maybe we could pick up a couple of DVDs later? I need you to tell me what’s out now and what’s good.” Gabrielle directed her comments to Holly. “If your dad has a DVD player?”
“I do,” Derek said.
“Awesome idea. Dad doesn’t have
Gabrielle glanced down at her mug, trying not to meet Derek’s gaze. She didn’t know if he’d appreciate her suggestions without asking him first, but she couldn’t stand seeing Holly so sad.
“Sure thing,” Derek said. “Why don’t you go shower and get dressed?”
She pushed her chair out and grabbed her cereal bowl, placing it in the sink. “Back in a few.”
“Take your time! The stores don’t open for hours!” he called to her retreating back.
Gabrielle chuckled. “Actually Target opens at 8:00 a.m.”
He rolled his eyes and groaned. “Don’t tell her that. We’ll be finished by nine and have the entire day ahead of us to kill.”
“I’m sorry. I should have asked you before I suggested it to her. I don’t want you to have to do something-”
“Don’t be silly. It’s fine. You made her smile and I appreciate it. It’s been hard for her being away from her mother for so long.”
Gabrielle stared at the lone corn flake swirling in milk. “And you think she’s safe with me?” She wasn’t worried about her own safety. So far she’d been burglarized twice and been left harassing notes, but there had been no physical threats to her safety. Still…
“I’ll be with you at all times, so, yes, I think she’s safe with you. I worry about
She smiled, and before she could answer, the phone rang.
He answered. “Hello?”
A few minutes later, he hung up, looking none too pleased.
“What’s wrong?”
He held up one finger and called out to his daughter. “Holly, did you get into the shower yet?”
“No!” she yelled back.
“Then don’t bother. Fred had a run-in with a mud puddle and Grandpa wants you to help give him a bath!”
Gabrielle shook her head and laughed. “That’s one way to kill time before shopping.”
To Derek’s surprise, Gabrielle insisted on helping with the dog’s bath. They all changed into shorts and old T- shirts and headed outside to meet up with Hank and Fred.
“I got the shampoo,” Holly said, running out from Derek’s house with her favorite bottle.
“He’s gonna smell like a female,” Hank complained, turning toward the house to retrieve a different one.
Holly perched her hands on her hips. “And what’s wrong with smelling like a lady?”
Derek chuckled. “Nothing…unless you’re a man.”
Gabrielle laughed. “Come on, let’s turn on the hose.” With Holly by her side, they walked to the back of the house.
He vividly remembered those long legs draped over his shoulders last night, and he’d woken up with them tangled around him this morning. His groin hardened, ready for another go with her.
“Easy,” he muttered as he turned away from the women who were returning, live hose in hand.
Derek grabbed Fred’s collar, holding him in place. Hank poured the shampoo over the stinky, mud-caked hound, and Holly scrubbed him down with both hands and the rest of her body until she was covered in soap bubbles. Gabrielle waited patiently with the hose.
Once Fred was soaped down, Hank stepped aside and went into the house for towels, or so he said. Derek had a hunch he was just avoiding the work.
“Let ’er rip,” Holly called out to Gabrielle.
She squeezed the hose and ran it over the dog, while Holly again rubbed him, trying to rinse him off. Besides Holly, Derek took the bulk of the dousing, since he was crouched nearest to Fred. By the time they were finished, everyone was soaked.
Everyone except Gabrielle.
She dropped the hose at her feet and wiped her hands on the towels Hank had left on the picnic table.
“Wait, I still see soap on Fred,” Derek said.
“I’ve got it,” Gabrielle offered.
He shook his head. “You’re dry. I can do it.” He picked up the hose before she could argue. “Holly, why don’t you dry Fred off?”
“I thought he had more soap on him?”
“No, I just said that because you and I look like drowned rats and Gabrielle is just a little too dry, don’t you think?” Hose in hand, he stepped toward her.
Her eyes opened wide as she realized his intent. “You wouldn’t.” She raised her hands in front of her, as if to ward him off.
He grinned. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Daddy!” Holly shrieked, laughing at the same time. “That’s so mean!”
“Listen to your daughter, Derek.” Her hands still raised in submission, Gabrielle stepped back.
He stalked forward.
She edged back. “Derek,” she said in warning.
He really shouldn’t.
But she was so dry and…tempting. “How about I give you some warning? One, two…three.” He pressed the hose and directed the long stream of cold water her way.
She squealed and ran, but he was faster. Catching up to her with the hose, he gave her a thorough dousing
