Mila gave her a bland stare. “I believe Pluto is circling Uranus.”
However, one part of what she’d said was definitely true. The assignment would get her away from the pestering ex-boyfriend and the constant reminders of Bailey’s death. She’d owned the dog since it was a puppy, over twelve years. The dog had been a gift for her sixteenth birthday from her grandmother. It had been a wonderful day. They’d gone to her favorite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory, to eat, after spending most of the day at the in Old Town, a place she never grew tired of. Then to end the day, upon returning home, she’d found a furry whining puppy on her bed.
The more Gabriela considered it, the more she realized that perhaps it would be a good time to get away. The holidays made single people depressed or desperate and she didn’t want to be either one. What she needed was cheering up.
However, her assignment didn’t seem like a place to cheer anyone up. An entire month in Montana, where she’d spend the entire time knee deep in snow was nobody’s idea of cheerful.
Later that day, she lowered to her sofa with a cup of tea and let out a breath. It had been an exceptionally long day since leaving the office.
Her cell dinged. It was a text from Mila.
At least you’ll get out of the office gift exchange!
Leave it to her friend to find something positive in everything. It was true. She could buy scarves, sweaters, boots and cute jackets. And it wouldn’t be a total waste of money since on occasion she did travel to places with colder climates and she’d be able to wear them. Plus, there were times when she went to the mountains for fun trips with friends.
Hours later, she finally arrived home. After two trips to the car to retrieve her purchases, Gabriela went to the kitchen and poured a glass of wine. She clicked on her sound system and jazzy music filled the empty space.
Without prompting, her gaze went to where her dog’s food bowls had always been. She shook her head to keep from dwelling on the loss. Too many changes close together did not make a happy girl.
Although her breakup had been a long time coming, it was still a big change. The move to the city center was something she had wanted for a long time and her ex had fought against.
Although the city was a bit noisy at times, it was easier to get to work and do things now that she was single. It was nice to have so many things near her home. Her friends could come over and go out for drinks without having to drive.
A sigh escaped at considering that now any type of socializing would have to wait until after she returned from Montana.
Her parents had asked that she move into their house after the break-up, and she had for a few weeks, but Gabriela soon realized she was too old and too independent to move back permanently. She’d quickly found an apartment in a newly renovated building in Midtown. It was the perfect location, albeit parking in the multi-level structure was a challenge and an annoyance at times.
Ceiling to floor windows showcased the view of the city and a glimpse of the pool area. Everything in her new place was sleek and modern, from the marbled countertops to the pristine white tiled floors. Her mother had taken one look at the place and called it hotel living. Her father had refused to step out to the sixth-floor balcony.
And yet, it was precisely what she needed, a place so unlike her last that it would not bring any reminders of the past. When Gabriela bought the unit, she’d asked to keep all of the staged furniture. It had been worth the price because all she’d had to bring were her clothes, computer, some books, and a few art pieces. Everything else from her last apartment, she’d sold, given away, or left behind.
The buzzer sounded, announcing a visitor. Gabriela rolled her eyes. If her mother had come again to try to talk her into a blind date, she was going to scream. “Yes?” she said into the screen that showed the profile of a man. “What can I do for you?”
“Delivery for Miss Jones.” The man lifted a huge flower arrangement.
Gabriela narrowed her eyes. “I’ll come down.”
Her blood ran ice cold. If her ex, Randolph, had found out her address, she wasn’t sure what to do. The man was acting crazy lately. He’d lost all kinds of composure when she’d broken their relationship off. She’d already filed a restraining order on him just to deter him from trying to reach her.
The bouquet was beautiful, made mostly of white flowers with hints of lavender. It would be a shame to throw it away if they were from her ex. She accepted the delivery with a tight smile, and the young guy left whistling without a care in the world.
Once inside her apartment, Gabriela placed the vase on the kitchen counter and nipped the small card. Her shoulders sagged and she smiled at the note.
Her grandmother’s greeting made her lips curve.
Pull up those tiny panties you wear and smile!
Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.
Love, Abuela
Gabriela smiled at how opportune the message was. Her phone lit up when she touched the surface and she called her grandmother for a chat.
Tomorrow she’d pack, and then her adventure would begin. She’d made a crazy impulsive decision that she couldn’t take back. Maybe life was not as bad as it seemed.
After all, Montana awaited.
Chapter Two
Jeremy Hawkins let out a breath and stared at the man who’d slumped over. The naked man sat on the ground his back against the wall of a convenience store.
“Get up Henry.”
“I won’t,” Henry said, his teeth chattering. “You cops can’t just go around bossin’
