Blind Love (7 page)

Chapter Twelve

Goodbye

Gabe locked the front door and headed to his pickup. The decision was made. He needed to move his pitiful ass into the cabin immediately. A woman he barely knew had him confessing things he’d never told anyone else, and the scariest part: he caught himself reconsidering nonnegotiable promises. Those were fantasies he couldn’t afford. Not when other lives counted on him. He glanced over at her place and stopped dead in his tracks.

Speak of the devil.

Hands on her hips, Lauren stood talking to the cabbie parked in her driveway. Her hair was twisted in a knot. The dark blue, strapless summer dress she wore had his gaze lingering over her long neck and tanned shoulders. His mouth watered at the memory of how sweet her covered parts tasted last night.

There was something about her that hooked him. Yes, she was beautiful, but there was more. It was how her eyes crinkled when she laughed. All the smart-ass things she’d say. The soothing way her voice melted his guard. And when she touched him, it was as if she was sticking her hands inside him, picking up every one of his painful pieces, and for just a little while gluing them back together.

What the fuck am I saying?

He looked away and continued to his truck. She’d find the right person one day, and whoever the man was would be one lucky bastard.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t help you,” the cabbie said.

Gabe put the last of the supplies into the large metal toolbox and padlocked the lid.

“He’s a guide dog. Isn’t it against the law for you to refuse services because of him?” Lauren asked.

He bit back his urge to help.

For him, the girl spelled trouble.

T.

R.

O.

U.

“The sign right there says no animals.” The driver pointed to the backseat window.

B.

L.

E.

She grinned. “And if I wasn’t blind, I’m sure I would have seen it.”

Gabe chuckled. He loved her fake smile. Leaning against the truck, he watched the performance.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t—I mean, you don’t look blind.”

Still grinning, she cleared her throat and pulled on the dog’s harness. “I am. Which is why I need my guide dog. He goes everywhere with me.”

The beast raised its ears and looked at Gabe. He averted his eyes, pulled off his baseball cap and tucked it into his jean pocket. Her monster of a pet was making him feel guilty as hell.

“I’m sorry, but I’m allergic to animals. He can’t come in my taxi.”

“I can pay you extra for your troubles. The place is a few blocks after the highway. It would only be ten minutes of your time.”

“Look, ma’am. It’s not going to happen. If you want, I’ll call another car to pick you up.”

After a long pause, she shook her head and bit her lip. “No, it’s fine. I understand. Thank you.”

A few seconds later, the cab pulled away. Lauren stood cross-armed, staring out.

Gabe gripped the truck to make sure his legs didn’t get any crazy ideas.

This is not my problem.
Maybe if he said it enough times, he’d believe it.

“Come on, Jack. It’s time for Plan B,” she said and grabbed the dog’s holster.

Plan what?

Stunned, he watched the two stroll down the road. She said the place was a few blocks after the highway. Which meant they’d be walking alongside one of the busiest boulevards in Denver for a few yards before she’d ever reach the interstate. He looked at his watch. Four fifty, on a Friday afternoon. The two would be smack dab in front of the I25 overpass during rush hour traffic—a dangerous situation for anyone, much less a blind woman.

She wouldn’t, would she?

When Lauren got to the end of the street and turned left, he cursed under his breath.

Yeah, she would.

Still frozen by the bed of his pickup, he tried to figure out what the hell to do. The drill sergeant in his head ordered him to mind his own fucking business and get his ass to work on the cabin. She survived this long without anyone’s help and had probably crossed hundreds of dangerous intersections in the process.

He nodded in agreement and climbed into the driver’s seat. As soon as he kicked it into reverse, police sirens blared. A normal occurrence, considering the station was a block away. Regardless, images of Lauren under the wheels of a semi whirled in his mind. His stomach twisted. A thin film of sweat formed on his forehead.

“For the love of…”
he muttered and drove in the direction she’d disappeared.

They were approaching an intersection when he pulled up. He rolled down the passenger window and put on his cheeriest voice. “Hey there.”

She paused and smiled. “Gabe?”

A car stopped behind him. He waved it along. “Yup. Need a ride?”

“No, we’re fine. It’s not far.”

He bit back his irritation and gripped the steering wheel. She was the most stubborn woman he’d ever met. “I don’t mind.”

She tilted her head as if considering her options while he considered picking her up and throwing her ass in the truck.

“And Jack?” She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her brows. “I’m not putting him in the bed, it’s not safe.”

He struggled to keep his calm. Arguing how the back of his pickup was less hazardous to the animal’s health than walking through the overpass during rush-hour traffic probably wasn’t a good idea. “There’s a second row. He’ll be fine.”

A semi whizzed past, blowing its horn, scaring the hell out of him and, from the way Lauren jumped, her too. She and the dog were inside seconds later.

Gabe locked the doors before she reconsidered. When he leaned across to buckle her in, the mix of citrus and vanilla filled his lungs. He eyed her pink-stained lips, wondering if they still tasted of peppermint.

“You followed me from the house.”

He clicked her latch into place. “I did,” he admitted, pulling away from the curb and onto the road.

“And you waited until now to offer me a ride?”

Her probing eyes burned into him, waiting for answers. Funny considering all she could probably see was the color of his shirt. “Wasn’t sure if you’d say yes. Where am I going, by the way?”

“Take a left at the next light. We need to go past the interstate. So what made you finally ask?”

“Not sure,” he said, omitting the images of her broken body being tenderized by eighteen-wheelers flashing in his head. “I still have no clue where we’re going.”

“Turn right at the second signal after the highway, and Heritage Oaks Assisted Living Center will be on the left.”

“You really are a cat,” he said, in awe of her sense of direction.

She shrugged. “Because I can’t see doesn’t mean I’m going to sit around being helpless.”

“I’m pretty confident no one considers you helpless.”

She stared out the window and didn’t respond. He searched for another topic to cut the tension. “Are you volunteering at the place?”

“No, spending time with a friend.”

“The old lady whose house I bought?”

She relaxed and smiled at him. “Mrs. Rourke. I talked her into going there and she’s pretty lonely. Turns out the first Friday of every month at five is social night at the Center. Since she didn’t go to the last one, I want to make sure she goes tonight. It’ll be good for her to meet the neighbors.”

“She’s lucky to have you.”

Lauren didn’t respond. This time he let the silence sit between them. Just having her beside him was enough.

Their trip ended way too fast. Gabe pulled up to the bricked high-rise and parked. “Does she know you’re coming?”

“She will in five minutes.” She climbed out, her dog right behind her. When she shut the door and leaned her head into the open window, he thought of ways to say goodbye. Before he found the words, she flashed him a smile, which of course made him forget she was trouble.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“What time should I pick you up?”

While she laughed, he tried to memorize the dimples, creases, and the sound.

“You won’t. I’ll call a cab.”

“You tried a little while ago. It didn’t go so well and it’ll be dark soon.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off. “Here, give me your cell.” When she handed it to him, he punched his number in and stored it for her. “I’ll be around. Call me when you need a ride.”

From the way her eyes squinted, it was obvious her brain was finding a way to say no. He drove away before she had the chance.

The chords of a country song were audible before he parked at the assisted living center two hours later. She hadn’t called. He hadn’t expected her to, but figured he’d show up anyway, if for nothing else, they could at least have a proper goodbye.

He followed the music to the backyard of the complex. Round tables with chairs peppered the lawn. Stringed lights filled the night sky like fireflies. People dressed in their Sunday best danced, ate and talked. All but one of them were old enough to be his grandparent. He fixed his gaze on the brown-haired beauty.

An elderly man in khaki Dockers and a light-colored shirt held her in his arms as they danced. She laughed at whatever he said, and when they turned, Gabe laughed too. The man’s hands palmed her ass and, besides moving them, she didn’t seem the least bit bothered.

A heavy-set woman with a kind face approached him. “You must be Gabe. I’m Irma Rourke.”

Her brown hair was cut short and her blue eyes were kind. When she hugged him, he liked her instantly.

“Lauren told me you might show up. It’s great to meet you.”

He raised his brows.
How’d she know that?

She navigated him to an empty table. “Come have a seat. This song just started, it’ll be awhile before she’s done. Let me get you some apple juice.”

He positioned his chair for a better view of the dance floor and caught sight of a very relaxed Jack. His head lay plopped on the lap of a woman who reminded him of his middle school librarian. She rubbed his neck like it was some magic lamp.

Lauren glowed in the dim lights. She and her dance partner sang along to the chorus as they moved. Every so often she’d pull the man’s wandering hands back up to her waist as she belted out the country song.

“She’s one of a kind.” Mrs. Rourke handed him a paper cup.

Unable to tear his eyes off of her, he nodded. “Yes, she is.”

When Gabe took a sip, the liquid burned his throat. He coughed and took a sniff of the drink before putting it on the table. “Apple juice?”

“The best.” She winked at him. “Don’t let the blindness fool you. Lauren’s the toughest person I know.”

He chuckled. “I’m starting to see that.”

Mrs. Rourke rested her hand on his. “She needs someone like you in her life.”

His face warmed. Gabe took another sip of his “juice” before answering. “We’re friends, nothing more.”

“Friends don’t look at other friends the way you’re staring at her.”

He didn’t respond. It wasn’t something he could deny.

“You’d better get to her before Willie leaves bruises all over her ass.”

“Good idea.” He swallowed the rest of the drink and shifted out of his seat.

Gabe cut in, grabbing her waist and pulling her close before Willie had a chance to argue.

“Hi, you,” she said as she wrapped her hands around his neck. “I told you I didn’t need a ride.”

He whispered in her ear. “I know, but a friend of yours asked me to save you.”

Lauren laughed. “How’d she do that?”

“She bribed me with brandy with a touch of apple juice.”

Lauren rested her cheek against his shoulder and sighed. “Remind me to thank her. These people are all lushes.”

He pressed his face against her hair and savored how their bodies fit. Her warmth soothed him. Even if he was walking away, he would give himself this moment. Gabe inhaled her scent and held her close. “I have no complaints.”

They moved silently as the music played. He held her tight, pushed away his reality, and fantasized for as long as possible.

“I heard you packing up earlier. Are you leaving?”

He cringed. “Yeah.”

She stiffened at his response. “When?”

He cleared his throat. “Tonight.”

“Why?”

“It’s the right thing to do.”

Lauren fell silent. Some of her hair had come loose from the knot she’d made. He released the stick holding it in place and smoothed down the strands. Their dance continued long after the music stopped playing.

“The right thing for me or you?” she asked, so quiet he barely heard the question.

His gut twisted. “Both.”

She pulled away. “Are you worried I’ll get hurt or that you’ll change your mind about the long term thing?”

“Both,” he said again.

Mrs. Rourke was upon them before their conversation got any more complicated, and he walked away, allowing them time for their goodbye.

A few minutes later, he strolled back to his truck with Lauren and Jack. The entire ride home was spent in silence. Which suited him fine. Goodbyes were hard enough.

Once they parked in her driveway, Lauren gulped some air and blew it out. “I know I told you this morning I regretted what we did, but I want you to know I don’t.”

He raised his brows at her confession. “What changed your mind?”

“You.” She didn’t look at him. Just stared straight ahead. “I was at a low place. You made me feel attractive. And although I wish I had found other ways to get the same effect, nothing I could have done would have been as powerful as what you’ve done for me. And I don’t mean the sex, either. I mean tonight, the things you’ve said, all of it. Thank you.”

His chest tightened. Even if there was no future for them, maybe he could at least help her see reality. “Can I give you some honest advice?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t ever think you’re less than anyone because you’re blind. The truth is, when people are around you, they’re the ones who feel less. You make them want to be someone they’re not. Someone better than they ever considered being.” When she sniffled, he clenched the steering wheel. “There’s a guy out there for you. Never settle until you find him. Okay?”