“I noticed that there aren’t a lot of storefronts. Not like Salvation,” Alana replied.
“I think the town wants to keep it very low-key. There’s not much for sale, and a lot of the land is owned privately. I don’t think there’s much available to buy
or build on. Though it seems when someone needs a place, something pops up,” Jeb added.
Jeb watched her step out of the way as a few people walked past, trying to head to the stairs.
“Yes, it’s funny you say that. When I came into Tranquility looking for a place to rent, there didn’t seem like anything was available. No signs, no vacancies. I asked around and stopped into the small café there, and after talking to one of the waitresses, I found out that the cottage was available to rent.”
Jeb smiled. He knew how things operated in Tranquility. It was like some secret society of helpers. As people came into town looking for a new place to settle down, or perhaps passing through or looking for trouble, the town’s people would evaluate them, and if they saw them in need and that the person was good and kind, they worked out making something available for them to live in. It was interesting and definitely helped him and the rest of their team when they retired from the military. He had hoped the new town, and unknown faces, would make Gabe feel more secure. No such luck.
“Alana, Agnes said there are some things outside too, like porch swings and outdoor furniture. Weren’t you looking for a rocking chair or something for the back porch while you’re reading?” Deanna interrupted.
“Oh yes. I guess we can take a look.”
“We’re headed out there. We can show you around,” Gator suggested, and Jeb felt that excitement in his gut again. It seemed Gator found Alana to be just as interesting and attractive as Jeb did.
* * * *
Alana felt something in the pit of her stomach as she walked outside along with Deanna, Jeb, and Gator. Both men were very big, attractive men, with muscles and tattoos on their arms, and both were very charming. It made her feel uneasy, almost sick to her stomach. That was how she often got when men flirted with her. It was almost like a guilty feeling, and felt as if she were cheating on Gabe. It was silly. Gabe was gone, and she needed to move on. But that was easier said than done.
“Hey, we can take a little lunch break now,” some other man called over to them.
Alana looked, her eyes landing on another attractive man, an older-looking one with blond hair wearing a pair of blue jeans, a dark green T-shirt, and cowboy boots.
“Okay, Jaxon,” Jeb called out as another guy looked at her when he came around from the truck.
She couldn’t believe how attractive these men were as she absorbed their good looks and took in how tall and muscular they were. She felt so petite. She was lost in thought when she heard the gasp.
Swinging her head around toward Deana, she saw her friend’s eyes well up with tears. Alana had swung back around to see what had upset her when she saw him.
There, by the front of the truck, stood a man who resembled Gabe. Her Gabe.
He paused, leaning on the cane he held by his side, and anger filled his sunken eyes.
“Gabe?”
Deanna called out his name, and Alana couldn’t move. She was trying to process what was happening here as she felt the tears roll down her cheeks and the silence consume the air around her.
Deana stopped short as the man who resembled Gabe turned away.
“Gabe?”
Deanna said his name again, and the other two men who were by the truck went to her side. Alana was crying as she walked, ran toward the man she knew now was definitely Gabe, but who also seemed to be hiding from them. He limped around to the other side of the truck. Jeb and Gator followed her, as did Jaxon and the other guy too.
“Gabe, wait,” Alana called out, and she reached for his arm. The feel of muscle and the connection they shared, still as strong and fierce as ever, electrified her entire body.
“Go away. I don’t want to see you,” he snapped at her.
Fury, anger, and hatred… Emotions like she had never seen in Gabe’s eyes before greeted her tears and the power of her emotions.
“Gabe why? I thought you were dead. Everyone thinks that you’re dead,” she told him.
Strong hands gripped her shoulder from behind.
She didn’t look back. She used that strength to speak, to process and get out her thoughts.
“Gabe, you’re alive,” she whispered, and Deanna was by her side crying, reaching for Alana’s hand.