Page 6

He shyly looked across the way and then back at her with his lower lip between his bottom teeth. He gave her an expression that nearly knocked her socks off.

“I have to get back to work in a few minutes. I just wanted to be sure to meet you properly, instead of across the bar.”

She swallowed hard.

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Garrett,” she replied, feeling a bit of relief.

“Gia?” He said her name so softly, she slowly turned to look up at him. He was a very tall man and definitely cramped in this tight spac

e.

“I hope to see you again here at Casper’s.”

“Oh she’ll be here tomorrow night with us. It’s girls’ night out,” Sammy chimed in and the others added their comments as Gia shook her head and stared at her lap. When she looked back up into Garrett’s eyes, he appeared different.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He began to stand up and her friends waved good-bye, saying that they would see him tomorrow night.

She watched him walk away and then looked at her friends.

“You lucky girl,” Kaleigh teased and Sammy and her friends made some noises.

“What are you talking about?” Gia asked.

“You just caught the interest of the hottest eligible bachelor in Houston,” Sammy said.

“You go, New York,” the others teased.

Gia shook her head. “I did not catch anyone. He was just being friendly.” Gia then took a sip of her seltzer that the waitress had brought over.

“Honey, he doesn’t talk to anyone he doesn’t want to talk to. He’s respectful and nice to patrons, but he never accepts any invitations from the ladies, if y’ know what I mean,” Kaleigh said.

“I can vouch for that info. I’ve known Garrett since high school. He was always kind of shy and good-looking. After he returned from the military and serving in the Middle East, he was a changed man. Even his dads think so,” Sammy whispered.

Gia thought about that a moment. It was understandable and she wondered if he sustained an injury while there.

“Is that why he has a bit of a limp? Was he injured in the war?” Kaleigh asked before Gia could.

“Oh, God yeah. It was bad. I don’t know all the details, but my dad said Garrett nearly died.”

Gia felt her chest tighten at the thought. And then the waitress brought over some wings.

“Compliments of the bar,” she said then placed the platter of delicious-smelling hot wings with very green, crisp celery in the center of the table. Gia looked up toward the bar and so did her friends as they waved a thank-you. Garrett continued to look at her, holding Gia’s gaze. She smiled and he nodded his head as she wondered if maybe there was a way to put some of the pain behind her. But just as quickly that feeling of dreadful fear made her entire body tighten up.

No way. Not now. Now ever.

Chapter 2

The baby was crying and Deanna was trying to calm her down.

“She’s being so colicky. Dale wasn’t like this,” she complained and Gia smiled.

“It will get better. Didn’t the doctor tell you that at her last visit?” Gia asked.

Her cousin Teddy and his best friend Jim’s wife was so sweet and nurturing. The three of them made a great couple. Their son, Dale, who was fourteen, going on fifteen, played football for the local high school. Julia had been a bit of a surprise, but a good surprise, because Deanna had a difficult time getting pregnant with Dale.

“I appreciate you going to pick up Dale. Jim said he’s working late tonight at the headquarters and Teddy is conducting an investigation with his partner and they need to do some surveillance. I swear, things get crazy around here when both my men are working.”