Lead the Way by K.L. Prince Page A

be perfect.”
    “I’ll dial them up.”
    “Thank you, Gabriel.”
    “Please stop thanking me.  I’ve told you once, and I will tell you again, it’s my pleasure.”
    “Gabriel, you’ve done so much for me and I’ve pretty much haven’t given you anything in return.”
    “That isn’t true.  If I hadn’t been able to come here and work for you, who knows what I would be doing.  I would probably be sitting at Rosa’s going absolutely out of my mind, thinking about being discharged from the Navy, and how empty my life is.”
    “But, I didn’t push Rosa down on the ice.”
    “You didn’t, but you did give me the job afterwards.  You didn’t have to do that.  You could have found someone more qualified or with more experience, but you gave me a chance.”
    “Well, you can say whatever you want, but the balance leans more towards your end.  I just want to say that you have been a good friend to me and I appreciate it.” 
    There she finally said it.  She finally put some feelers out to see how Gabriel feels about her.  Does he even think about her as a friend?
    “We definitely have come a long way.  I wouldn’t take back a second.  Hopefully, we’ll have more good times in the future.”
    That wasn’t exactly the response she was looking for, but she’ll take it.  His response could have been worse.  He could have said that he was just doing his job or something to that effect.  Then, she would really feel like an idiot.  He said that he’s enjoyed spending time with her, so that’s a plus.  She decides the only way that she is going to get an answer to the questions she has is to ask him directly.  Beating around the bush isn’t going to work with Gabriel. 
    “Those pills that I took are making me a little sleepy.  Do you mind if I lay down until the food gets here?” Eva says, her words slightly slurry.
    “No problem.  I’ll come and get you when it gets here.”
    “Thanks.”
    Just as she reaches the doorway to her bedroom, Gabriel says, “Eva, everything is going to be okay.  I promise.”
    “I hope so,” she says and smiles, before disappearing into her bedroom.
     
     
     
    * * * * *
                 
     
     
                  Ryan Collin’s is chasing her.  She runs as fast as she can, but he’s gaining on her.  She can see Gabriel in the distance.  His back is towards her and he’s walking away.  She calls his name, but he doesn’t turn around.  Ryan grabs her and throws her to the ground.  She calls Gabriel’s name again, but he keeps walking.
                  Eva sits up with a start in bed.  She looks around.  She realizes she is in her bedroom and breaths a sigh of relief.  Thank God, it was just a dream .  She listens and she doesn’t hear any noise.  Gabriel must be sleeping.  Flashes of the nightmare appear before her eyes.  She feels scared.  She doesn’t want to be alone.  She gets out of bed and goes into the guest room.
    “Gabriel?” she whispers.  “Are you awake?”
                  Gabriel stirs in the bed.  “Eva, is there something wrong?” He sounds groggy.
                  “I’m sorry to wake you up.  I had a nightmare.  I guess I just feel scared.”
                  “Come here.  Lay down,” he says, lifting up the sheet, inviting her into bed with him.
                  She contemplates, and then takes him up on his invitation.  She climbs into bed next to him.  The warmth she feels coming from his body is comforting.  He wraps his arm around her.  She snuggles close to him.  She feels safe lying next to him, wrapped up tight in his arms. 
                  “Go to sleep, okay.  I’ve got you.  There is nothing to be afraid of in your dreams or in life,” Gabriel says, interlocking his fingers with hers.  He runs his thumb back and forth over hers.
                  She moves closer to him.  She can’t get