“If they find her body someday, then I’ll deal with it, but for now I’d rather think of her out there somewhere, still alive and still okay.” While the situation was in limbo, it was all she could do.
“Zane’s still looking. He isn’t going to stop,” Gabe said as he sat down beside her, pushing her suitcase aside so he could wrap his arms around her.
“I know. He was always fond of Ellie. I know he wants to get to the truth.” Chloe looked at her new husband with determination. “Whatever happens, I know I can handle it.”
Gabe kissed her gently before answering. “I know you can, too.”
“Then let’s run away for a while,” she said, standing to continue packing. “I’m ready for the beach.”
The weather had turned colder in the last few days, and Thailand was sounding better and better. She’d miss the ranch, but this was time that she and Gabe needed. Neither of them had ever had time to just enjoy themselves and wind down. While they were away, they could just enjoy being together.
Remembering that she’d bought him a wedding gift, Chloe went across the room and pulled a box from the back of the closet.
“For you,” she told him, holding the large item out to him anxiously. She was hoping he’d take it in the way she meant it.
He took it from her with a confused expression. “What is it?”
“A gift. Open it.” Chloe hoped he understood, and he wouldn’t be hurt. She’d taken a shot, hoping her gut instinct was right.
He slowly removed the wrapping paper. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“I wanted to get you this.” Chloe knew Gabe had more money than most men in the world, and between the two of them, they were obscenely rich…but this was…different.
She held her breath as he opened the box, his expression appearing astounded as he pulled out a brand new black Stetson.
Chloe’s heart accelerated as his face grew dark, hoping her gift wasn’t bringing back bad memories or disheartening ones about how he could never seem to fill his father’s shoes.
“I can take it back if it doesn’t fit,” she told him hastily, meaning much more than if the size wasn’t right. She knew it was his size. She just wasn’t sure if it would fit.
It was different from the one that had belonged to his father. It had a little less rim, and the band was a nice design, black with small metal studs, but not as fancy as the one his father had given him. Still, when Chloe had seen it, she’d been reminded of Gabe, thinking this particular hat would suit him.
Slowly, he put it on his head and pulled the brim down to a comfortable position. “Why?” he asked in a subdued voice.
Chloe shrugged. “I grew up watching you wear that hat. It was like a little piece of Texas that you brought with you. I thought maybe you missed it just a little.” She took a breath before continuing nervously. “When I saw this one, I just thought it would fit, that it was you. I wanted to give you a hat that seemed to fit your personality. I guess it was my way of saying that you don’t ever have to be anyone else because you’re perfect just the way you are.”
“Is that so?” he asked in a gruff voice.
She nodded.
He walked over to the mirror and looked at his reflection, and then turned around and grinned at her as he adjusted the hat a little bit. “Feels pretty damn good.”
“The hat?”
“The sentiment, sweetheart. It feels good to know that you love me for who I am.”
He lunged forward and picked her up and swung her around. Chloe laughed delightedly as he chuckled.
When he finally lowered her feet to the floor, she looked up at him with her heart in her eyes. “I’m serious. If it bothers you in any way, I’ll get rid of it.”
“The hell you will,” Gabe grumbled. “I plan on dying in this hat now. It’s my gift from the woman I love, and it fits perfectly. Honestly, I did miss my hat, but I could never bring myself to replace it. How did you know?”
“I didn’t really. I just know you, and I really like that hat. I knew it would look good on you.”
“It helps with the sun,” he told her honestly.
“Just stay out of stalls with angry stallions,” she told him with a laugh, happy that he’d accepted the gift in the way it was given…as a token of love.
“Thank you for loving me,” Gabe said in a rush.
Chloe’s heart started to hammer. “You’re an easy man to love, Gabe Walker.” She tightened her arms around his neck. “Thank you for saving me.” Without Gabe, she wasn’t sure where she’d be right now, and it wasn’t pleasant to think about.
She probably wouldn’t have married James, regardless. And she’d probably be in counseling, but he’d brought her so much further along in the healing process by loving her unconditionally and teaching her to trust again.
“I didn’t save you, darlin’,” he denied. “You saved yourself. You’re a strong woman, Chloe.” His arms tightened around her protectively. “Just try not to scare the hell out of me again.”
“I’ll try,” she promised.
Loving someone as much as she loved him, Chloe could understand his heartache. If anything happened to Gabe, her entire life would be destroyed. He’d become everything to her, and she wasn’t sure how she’d go on without him.
They had the same fears, but they shared the same love. Eventually, they’d get over their unease. Their love was new and precious. In the future, it would still be treasured and cherished, but without the intense fear of losing each other. The trauma had been painful, but it had also made Chloe even more grateful and appreciative of what she had.