Gabe (Men of Clifton Montana Book 2) by Susan Fisher-Davis Page B

have one, Becs ?”
    Becca shrugged. “I don’t see why not .”
    Olivia
squealed, leaped up, and hugged Becca , and then Emma. Then she went to
Gabe who was standing out of the way, wrapped her arms around him, and glanced
over her shoulder to Emma. “Don’t hate me.” She kissed Gabe quickly on the
lips. Emma burst out laughing. Gabe could feel the
heat in his face as he stepped back from Olivia, especially when she winked at
him.
    He
cleared his throat. “I don’t think that’s behaving, Liv,” he choked out, making
them all laugh except Wyatt, who he noted was standing in t he doorway to the hall scowling at Olivia. He had to wonder
what his brother’s problem was with Olivia. Gabe mentally shook his head.
Whatever it was, Wyatt needed to get over it since they were all going to be
together for the next week.

 
 
 
    Chapter Seven

 
 
    Emma, Becca , and Olivia sat on the metal
seats in the arena watching the rodeo while Emma explained to them what was
going on. She chuckled when Olivia shuddered at the details of bull riding even
as she sat on the edge of her seat watching it. Becca seemed entranced by it all, though. As the day wore on,
the women decided to get a late lunch at a nearby diner. The men were relaxing
at the hotel since their competitions weren’t until the next day. As they left
the diner to head for the hotel, Emma fel t the hair
rise on the back of her neck. She stopped and looked around, letting her gut
lead her.
    Becca touched her arm. “What is it?” she asked softly.
    Emma
shook her head. “I don’t know. I just had the feeling someone was watching us.”
She shivered again st the sensation.
    Olivia
glanced around quickly. “That’s not even funny.”
    “I’m
probably just imagining it. Maybe it’s my hormones out of whack.” Emma tried to
smile, but she knew it didn’t quite reach her eyes when both women frowned at
her. They walked a little faster toward the hotel and
the safety of the men. Once they reached it and went to their rooms, Becca hugged each of them.
    “I feel
like a damn fifth wheel,” Olivia muttered.
    “That’s
crazy, Liv. We love having you with us.” Emma hugged her. Olivia n odded with a sigh, and went into her room alone. Becca smiled sadly at Emma before they
separated to enter their separate rooms.
    The next
morning, Emma woke to an empty bed. She knew Gabe had to be at the arena early
to check the line-up so she pulled his pillow to her
and tried to go back to sleep, but it evaded her. Her mind played over the
night before when they’d made love. She’d almost told him she loved him. It had
been on the tip of her tongue and she literally had to bite it to keep from
shouting it out. Tears filled her eyes. Damn
hormones! Lately, she cried at the drop of a hat. Why couldn’t he love her? He
had no problem telling the baby. He’d put his mouth to her belly and say it to
the baby. Emma tried choking back the sobs, but they tore out fr om her. She buried her face in the pillow and let her tears
loose.
    Two
hours later, she sat with Becca and Olivia in the stands once
again watching the competitions. Emma was surprised when she saw Wyatt join
them and take a seat beside Olivia. He opened t he
program and scanned through it. Emma noticed Olivia hadn’t acknowledged him.
The arena smelled of horses, leather, sweat, and manure. She loved it. She sat
up with excitement when they announced the barrel racing was next. Jake and
Gabe moved along the aisle and took seats beside
them. Emma looked to Jake. “I’m sorry I couldn’t compete with Misty for you.”
She smiled and nodded. “I’ll compete next year.”
    Gabe
leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Not if I get you pregnant again.” She
elbowed him, and he grunted. “I take that as a no?”
    “You,
Gabriel Stone, are not going to keep me barefoot and pregnant,” she hissed low,
hoping no one around them could hear their conversation.
    Gabe
chuckled. “Okay, you can wear shoes.” She