Page 15 of Loan Wolf (Green Valley Shifters: Generations #1)

15

GABE

G abe wished he was behind Clara instead of ahead of her, just for the joy of watching her perfect legs and perfect butt. But it would be more distracting than anything, and this way, he could show her the best route, which edge to stay to, which loose rocks to avoid. And if the worst happened, he might break her forward fall.

The descent was steep and hairy in places; he hadn’t been kidding about the difficulty level. The trail wound down over roots and rocks, kissed cliffs, and had free-fall drops in a few places. It forded a stream, crossed a loose gravel scree, and went under tree limbs that had to be ducked. Every time he glanced back, Clara was frowning in concentration but looked strong and balanced on her bike.

She was a natural.

No, she was an athlete .

Dancer’s muscles gave her the core strength to control her bike, and the grace to make it look easy .

Gabe went much faster with her than he would have with any other new sport biker, and when the trail widened and leveled off, she drew up beside him with a triumphant smile. Gabe stopped to draw a swig of water and Clara followed suit. “You said that would be hard, ” she smirked.

“Some things were,” Gabe quipped.

It was entirely too much fun to make her blush up to the roots of her hair. She whapped him with the back of her hand and kicked off.

They raced back to town and locked the bikes up in front of one of the newer restaurants in town, Tendy’s. Gabe had made the offer impulsively, and half-hoped that Clara would forget about it, but she led him right there.

“Do you even have to lock up, here?” Clara asked, hanging her helmet off the handlebars and fluffing her hair.

“If I don’t lock, insurance won’t cover it if it’s stolen,” Gabe pointed out, leaving his own helmet on the seat of Aurora. “I read my contract.”

“Very boy scout of you,” Clara said. “I’m starving .”

Gabe hadn’t thought about what they were getting into and his heart sank when he realized that the restaurant was half full. Most of the locals were loyal to Gran’s, even after her death, but there were several familiar faces and a couple tables of tourists.

Gillian, a widowed older woman who hadn’t mastered the art of subtle flirting for years of trying, greeted them and led them to a table. “Can I start you with a drink?”

“Ice water,” Clara said immediately, pulling up the chair across from him. Should Gabe have held it for her? Was this a date ?

Gillian gave Gabe a thoughtful look and he realized he hadn’t answered. “Same.” He dropped into his own chair.

“Oh, they have cloth-bound menus,” Clara said, opening hers. “So fancy .”

“I’d think you’d be used to that, New York.” Gabe didn’t eat out much and he’d forgotten how expensive it was. “Get anything you want,” he said anyway.

“Oh no, this should be my treat,” Clara said, giving him a sharp look. “You were my trail guide.”

“I don’t mix business with…whatever this is. I’ll charge you properly for that.” Did he knock off the time they’d spent at the peak? Or was the service payment enough? Gabe wasn’t sure what his face was doing when Clara blushed again and returned her gaze to the options.

“We’ll have separate checks,” Clara said firmly to Gillian when the woman returned with water and straws. Even in the air conditioned room, the glasses were starting to sweat in the warm, humid air.

“You folks need more time?” Gillian looked from one to the other like she feared she’d come in at a bad time.

“I’m ready,” Clara said sunnily.

“Sure,” Gabe said. “I’ll get the mushroom burger. Waffle fries. Bacon ranch sauce.”

“Barbeque burger for me, steak fries. Just ketchup.”

Gabe gave his menu to Gillian. When she was gone, he told Clara, “I thought for sure you’d chicken out and get a salad or a gluten-free vegan wrap or something. I notice you didn’t go for the milkshake.”

“I was afraid I’d be too full,” Clara said. Gabe was not sure he’d ever actually seen someone arch an eyebrow until now. “I’m surprised you didn’t try to order for me.”

“Is that what you want?” Gabe challenged. “Someone to order for you and put you in bubble wrap?”

Clara’s eyes narrowed. “You did make me wear a helmet.”

“Aw, did it mess up your hair ?”

Clara laughed and then looked thoughtful. “Maybe that’s exactly what I wanted.”