Cindy Kirk - A Sweetheart for Jude Fortune

On the short drive to the café, Gabi filled him in. She talked about her brothers and what it was like growing up as the youngest and the only girl. When he pressed for more, she told him she’d had a love for the business world since she’d opened her first lemonade stand at age five and made ten dollars.

“It didn’t sink in until years later that my only customers had been relatives and close neighbors.” Gabi chuckled. “I thought it was this great spiel I had going that drew them in.”

“You enjoy your job.”

“I do. Though the banking industry has taken some hits, the one I work for has done well.” Gabi rolled her window partially down and let the fresh air waft into the cab of the truck. “It smells so fresh here.”

“I bet this has been a bit of culture shock for you.”

“Since I haven’t seen a bodega or a palm tree in weeks, I’d say that’s an accurate statement.” Gabi wondered how she could feel so relaxed around a man she’d just met. She’d been on plenty of first dates, and they were usually awkward, tense affairs. “Still, something about this place feels like home. I had difficulty understanding when my father told me how much he liked it here. Now it makes sense.”

Jude wheeled the truck into an angled parking spot and cut the engine. “I hope dinner tonight only solidifies that impression.”

Seconds later, Gabi stood in the doorway of The Horseback Hollow Grill, affectionately called The Grill by locals, and felt the first twinge of unease. Although clean, the tiled flooring had more than a few cracks. Artificial flowers in hammered coffee pots sat on tables. The tables reminded Gabi of the type you’d see in old-time diners, rounded edges encased in silver metal.

Jude inhaled deeply. “It always smells good in here.”

Gabi could almost see onion rings swimming in a grease pool and hamburgers being flipped on the grill. Her head may have told her to run to the nearest deli for a turkey sandwich on whole wheat—hold the mayo—but her stomach had other ideas. It growled. Loudly.

Jude grinned. “Someone is ready to eat.”

“I may be a little hungry” was all Gabi said as the hostess directed them to a booth by the front window.

“I can vouch for the burgers.” Jude waited until she’d slid into the booth before taking a seat opposite her. “Half pound of pure Angus. My sisters are especially fond of the grilled cheese sandwich, which is a specialty.”

Because of her heart, Gabi limited the amount of red meat she consumed as well as avoiding fried foods. She could already see there wasn’t much on the menu that would get a cardiologist’s seal of approval. Tonight she’d simply have to wing it.

Jude kept the conversation light and entertaining until the pretty blonde waitress arrived to take their orders. He seemed oblivious to the young woman’s attempts to flirt. Fixing his eyes on Gabi’s, he smiled. “Have you decided?”

“I’ll have the hamburger.” Gabi shifted her gaze to the blonde. “Well-done, please. May I substitute a salad for the fries?”

When the woman nodded, Gabi smiled. “Vinegar and oil for the dressing, on the side.”

Jude ordered the hamburger and fries. When the waitress left, he told Gabi, “You can have some of my fries. They’re the best.”

“I might take you up on that offer,” she said, relieved to have made it through the ordering without a lot of explanation. Though she wasn’t ashamed of having had the transplant, she’d noticed that people often treated her differently once they knew. “I told you everything about me on the drive over. Now it’s your turn to dish.”

“I hardly think you told me everything,” he said, “in a five-minute drive.”

Though his tone was teasing, Gabi froze. She hadn’t thought her father had mentioned the transplant to anyone, but she didn’t know that for sure. “What did I leave out?”

“You didn’t say anything about a man in your life.” He took the iced tea the waitress gave him while Gabi slipped a straw into her ice water.

“That’s because there is no man in my life,” Gabi said honestly.

“I find that difficult to believe.”

“It’s true.” Gabi thought back to Tony, the IT manager from the bank, and the horrified look on his face when he’d seen her scar. She shrugged. “Work takes most of my time.”

“Their loss is my gain.” Jude reached across the table and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. The feel of his mouth against her skin brought a rush of desire as unexpected as it was pleasant.

Gabi wasn’t a neophyte, though she was hardly experienced, either. During her twenty-six years she’d only had two lovers: her high school boyfriend on prom night and a fellow business student in college.

The prom night had been a disaster. A car was not the place for lovemaking.

The relationship with her college boyfriend had taken place over most of her freshman year. He’d been fairly experienced, but looking back, Gabi could see now that he’d been more concerned with his own pleasure than with hers. Still, she’d enjoyed their time together and had believed he cared about her.

Then she’d gotten sick. He’d come a couple of times to the hospital, but by the time she was feeling better, he was out of her life.

“Tell me about Jude.” Gabi fought to keep her voice steady, no easy task since her body had begun to vibrate.

“Not much to tell.” He lowered her hand to the table and casually laced his fingers through hers. “I got my BA from Tech and I’ve worked on the ranch since I was old enough to hop on a horse.”

“Have you ever thought of moving away? Trying something new?”

His blue eyes grew thoughtful. “A few times. But like my daddy, I love what I do. I like the variety and being my own boss. Horseback Hollow might be small, but it’s a cohesive community and Lubbock is just down the road. Vicker’s Corners is even closer.”

“Sounds like we’ve both chosen the right path...for us.” He continued to hold her hand, and the feel of his warm skin against hers sent her thoughts careening down a road she had no intention of traveling. Gabi was relieved when the waitress appeared with a mountain of food and he sat back.

“Oh, my.” She gazed at a burger as big as her plate and a salad big enough for three to share.

Jude grinned. “I told you the food here is the best.”

Gabi carefully considered for a moment then removed the hamburger from the sesame bun.

“Wimp.” Jude stopped, looked stricken. “Sorry.”

“No worries.” Waving a dismissive hand, Gabi stole one of his fries. “I simply prefer to enjoy the meat.”

In the end, she ate half of her burger and a third of the salad and sat back, satisfied.

“They have great sundaes here.” Jude spoke in a persuasive tone when the waitress had cleared their plates.

Though she wouldn’t mind having a spoonful, she doubted her stomach could handle even one more bite. “I’m so full you’re going to have to roll me out of here as it is. But, if you’d like dessert, go ahead.”

“I’ve had enough to eat,” he said. “But I wouldn’t mind taking a walk. Are those boots you’re wearing—”

“They’re very comfortable.” Gabi brightened at the realization Jude didn’t seem in any hurry to have the evening end. “I’d love some fresh air.”

Gabi pulled out her wallet to pay her share of the tab, but Jude had already handed the waitress several bills and told the blonde to keep the change.

“I can pay for my own.”

“You could.” He slid from the booth. “But tonight is my treat.”

Gabi slipped out from her side, and when she stood, he was right there, holding out the coat that she’d hung on a metal hook at the edge of the booth.