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and pushed. And a very nice little hand it was too.
Gabby gave him a scathing look. As if I could move anyone as big as you.
You re a klutz and fell. And& and you tore down that beautiful old house!
Before Reid could continue, Amanda called from the dining room. Who is it
Gabby?
Twinkle toes, she called out before turning on her heels and stomping back
down the hall.
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Autumn McCullah
CHAPTER 4
Reid s eyes widened in mock hurt. Twinkle toes? I ve been told I m light on
my feet but I m not that good, he said shrugging. His two friends were almost doubled
over laughing.
Tom was the first to regain some measure of control. He wiped at his eyes with
the back of his hand. I think we should warn you that she just found out about the old
Putnam house being torn down. And she s not too happy about it.
Liked the old place, did she?
Gabby is a pushover for anything old or very young. Carolyn Putnam was a
good friend from school so she spent a lot of time over there, Tom said slapping Reid on
the back.
She ll come around when she sees the new place. Come on, let s get you some
coffee and some of Ida s coconut cream cake, Wade said turning to go.
When they entered the dining room, Gabby was sitting at the table but she didn t
look up. Wade and Tom are going to pay for this, she thought to herself. She didn t
know when or how, but she d get even somehow. And him! Why did he have to show up
in her backyard?
Reid! Brie squealed in glee as she scooted off her chair to run to him.
He scooped her up into his arms. How are you, sugar? You being good for Aunt
Gabby?
Of course I am. Then Brie spoke in a loud whisper. I told her she should
marry you, but I don t think she liked it very much.
21
Autumn McCullah
I m wounded, Reid said trying to sound heartbroken. At this Gabby finally
looked up.
I sincerely doubt that Mr. McAllister. If you ll excuse me, I ll help Ida clean
up. She stood gathering up a stack of dishes before disappearing into the kitchen.
As she walked past him, he said loud enough for only her to hear, coward.
Gabby dropped the dishes into the sink and then turned on the hot water. She
began scraping the plates to ready them for the dishwasher. This was her family, not his.
How dare he come in and take over like this? Her hands worked feverishly on the dishes.
Ida came to stand by her side after taking Reid his coffee and cake. You keep
rubbing that plate like that and you ll rub the pattern completely off it. What s got you
into such a snit?
Him! she said jerking her head towards the door.
There s quite a number of hims out there. Care to narrow it down to the one with
a name?
Reid McAllister. The jerk! Thinks he can just waltz in here and make himself
right at home. Gabby finished the last dish in the sink and placed it into the dishwasher.
You don t even know him, Ida said shaking her head.
I met him once and believe me that was enough. The man thinks he s the
world s gift to women and we should all faint at his feet, Gabby muttered sarcastically.
Ida laughed. If I was thirty years younger I wouldn t mind being in his arms.
That s some man there.
Ida! Gabby gasped.
I m old but I m not dead, girl. My eyes aren t what they used to be, but I see
well enough to recognize a handsome man when I see one. And he seems a right nice
one too. There are some in town who d love to get to know him better. He s become
good friends with your family so you have one up on them others. My advice is to take
advantage of that."
I am not the least interested in that man. And why does everyone think I need
one in my life anyway?
Maybe because you need an anchor.
Gabby snorted. I m not a ship.
You travel all over the world, put into port once in a while and then you re off
again. Take a look around, Gabby. Maybe what you re looking for is right in your own
backyard, Ida said as she turned to leave the room.
Since she considered Reid to be her parent s guest Gabby had no qualms about
quietly letting herself out of the back door to go down to the stables. Walking around the
building she saw a form silhouetted in the field just ahead. Gabby leaned against the
fence and whistled. The horse s ears perked up before she turned to trot over to the
fence. Pegasus snorted as Gabby reached out to scratch behind her ears. She d had this
horse for seven years and loved her dearly.
Pegasus, my love. I ve missed you! Gabby put her arms around the horse s
neck leaning into her for comfort. Tomorrow we ll go for a long quiet ride. The horse
snickered as if she understood. They stood that way for some time each welcoming the
touching embrace.
22
Autumn McCullah
Suddenly Pegasus snorted and backed away. Gabby quickly turned to see Reid
approaching. Great! "Do you have to sneak up on people?" she snapped uncomfortable
being out her alone with him.
Ignoring her question, he walked up to the fence placing one foot on the bottom
rung. Beautiful horse you have there. He held out his hand. Pegasus stepped back
then shifted to the side.
To Gabby s utter astonishment, her horse slowly moved forward to brush against
the outstretched hand.
Good girl, he said running his hand down her nose.
Pegasus had the nerve to stand there apparently enjoying Reid s attentions.
Traitor! Gabby muttered under her breath. It was bad enough that her entire family had
been won over by McAllister. But now her horse had gone over to the enemy also.
Reid looked down at Gabby recognizing the mutinous expression on her face.
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